„We'll be having a guest for a while," Lothar said, introducing Amy who was already sitting at the table when LJ and Kshin walked in. He did not mention her potentially being Mandrake's daughter. It was better to have this tested first and besides, it was Mandrake's choice when to tell the kids.

„Hi," Amy shyly said, looking up.

„Hey, you're the girl from yesterday," Kshin said, sitting across from her.

„Amy is the daughter of an old friend of Mandrake and I," Lothar explained. „Her mother has disappeared and we want to help her find some answers. Amy, this is my son Lothar Junior, called LJ, and Mandrake's young ward, Kshin Hai."

„Nice," LJ grinned, looking Amy up and down. Lothar rolled his eyes. His son was at an age now where he tried to flirt with every girl he could find. It was entertaining sometimes but most of the time, it didn't go that well.

„Mind your manners, LJ," Lothar quickly reminded him. „Amy is a guest here. Please make sure she feels at home."

„So... you wanna go see a movie or something?" LJ asked the girl.

„Uh... no thank you," Amy quickly said. Which was fair enough, since she didn't really knew either LJ and Kshin. Lothar shot his son a warning glance.

„Let's let our guest settle in properly, shall we?" he sternly said. „I'm sure you can do some other activity later today."

Breakfast was a bit awkward. Kshin and Amy barely spoke while LJ kept mentioning this karate skills and his motorcycle in order to impress Amy, which wasn't going very well. Mandrake was hidden behind his newspaper the entire time and Lothar tried to make conversation with all three kids which resulted in mostly „yes" or „no" answers.

„You know, LJ, why don't we see how the Gordons are doing later today?" Lothar finally asked. He felt it might be a good idea to get LJ away for a bit so Mandrake could spend some time with his potential daughter. Or at the very least, Kshin could bond with his potential new sister.

„Sure," LJ agreed. „The kids are my age, aren't they? I'd like to meet them. Maybe it will be good for them to have a distraction."

„Don't overdo it, LJ," Lothar warned. „They've just lost their mother. I'm sure they don't want to go see a movie either. Just be there for them, listen and ask them what they want to do – and if they don't feel like it, give them some space. I don't know how long we'll be there anyway. I just want to check on Flash to see how he's holding up and ask if there's anything we can do for them."

„I can come too," Kshin offered.

„Not today," Mandrake said, finally putting down the newspaper. „Maybe it's best that we don't come all at once. I'm sure you'll meet them someday. Why don't you show Amy around the garden instead?"

„I have a bookreport to write before school starts and I still haven't actually read the book," Kshin excused himself.

„Don't worry about it," Amy replied, getting up. „I'm sure I'll find my own way around the garden."

Lothar sighed, watching all three kids leaving the dining room – on their own instead of together.

„Well, that went... not well," he stated, pouring himself the rest of the coffee.

„No, indeed it did not." Mandrake sighed. „Which is my fault. I should show Amy the mansion and the garden and then sit down with her, discussing her probably being my daughter and answering her questions about her mother. Instead... I think I am still in shock. First Dale died and then this girl shows up... she's a complete stranger. At least with Kshin, he was very young when he came into my life and I saw him grow up, I know all about him and I know what he's like, what he likes, and how to adress him. I don't know anything about Amy at all. It's like someone dumped a stranger at my doorstep and said here's a daughter, have fun with her. But I..."

„I know what you mean," Lothar said. Mandrake always had been a reserved person. While he was caring in his own way and towards those he was close to, he was rather closed off and often seemed distant and standoffish to stranger who didn't know him very well. „But if she's your daughter, you have to give it a try, and so does she. Poor kid doesn't seem to have had a good life so far. I think she needs all the family she can get."

„Well, I'll start with calling the authorities about her whereabouts and I will also tell them about the paternity test and my relation to Cathleen, in case they are concerned about her staying here for a while," Mandrake said. „And then after that, I think it might be time to have a little talk with her."

„I'm sure it will turn out fine," Lothar promised. „You've done a fine job raising Kshin, and you'll do a fine job raising Amy. And even if she's not your daughter, maybe we can still help her in some way, seeing that we knew her mother so well."
His thoughts went to times long gone, and he saw himself as a young man, with Mandrake by his side, and a charming, laughing, beautiful girl with wild, black curls and blazing blue eyes next to them. It felt like it had only been yesterday when they all had met for the first time and became friends.

Where is she now, he wondered. Well, maybe he would get an answer for this question soon enough.

„Sir," Garax said, entering the throneroom were Ming was pacing back and forth. Ever since Flash Gordon and his friends had escaped from Mongo, he had been in a very bad mood. „I bring you the information you've required."

„So you found Flash Gordon's residence?" Ming asked.

„Octon did, Sir," Garax replied. „He found out everything you wanted to know."

„Good." Ming displayed an evil grin. Flash Gordon probably already regretted ever coming back to Mongo. He had lost his wife, just as Ming has lost his younger brother years ago. But still, it was not enough. He would see to it that his enemy would lose his children as well. And then, when Gordon was down, broken and beaten, he would finish him off, too.

„And are you working on my ice robots not falling for magic amateur tricks anymore?" he also asked. Just in case this magician would prove himself to be a problem, Ming wanted to be prepared.

„This proves to be a bit more difficult," Garax dutifully replied. „But it is being worked on and we will make some test runs later today."
„Very well," Ming said. „But do make sure that if those test runs are not successful, the person responsible will be disposed of - permanently. I do not tolerate failure."

„Of course, Mighty Ming," Garax said. „What about the Gordon kids, do you want to proceed now or wait for a bit?"

„The sooner the better," Ming answered. „Have a spaceship ready go on and bring me those brats!"

Garax bowed and immediately left the room. Ming grinned, satisfied. He felt like after having killed off the wife, it would only be a matter of time until the rest of the Gordon family would follow. And Flash Gordon, the hero himself, oh, he would take him down personally!

When Lothar and LJ arrived on Lothar's motorcycle at the Gordon house, General Arden had already left. Flash was glad to see a friendly face and offered them to come in.

„We don't want to impose," Lothar said. „If you'd rather be alone, then just let us know. I just wanted to see how you are holding up and if there's anything we can do for you. Mandrake has company right now, but my son LJ came along."

„Nice to see you again, Mr Gordon," LJ said. „And I'm very sorry for your loss."

„Thank you," Flash replied. „Why don't you head upstairs and meet my kids?"

LJ went upstairs and Lothar and Flash went into the study. There were two desks here and Lothar assumed one of them had been Dale's.

„I'm going to take Ming down," Flash announced. „He killed my wife, he took their mother from my kids... he has to pay for this!"

„I hear you, Flash," Lothar said. „And I agree, Ming must pay for his crimes, for all of them. But it should not be you who takes him down. Be there for your family, they need you now more than ever. Let the authorities handle it."

„The damn authorities are doing nothing", Flash growled. „They're trying to avoid a war with Mongo, which I get – but how many people does this monster have to kill before they realize he needs to be taken out!? I'll contact my old friend Barin and I'll work with him and the rebels. You and Mandrake are welcome to join, of course. We'll..."

„We will do nothing of this sort, and neither will you," Lothar calmly stated, putting his hands on Flash's board shoulders. „Think of Rick and April. If this goes wrong, who will they have left? You're their only parent now. Ming is irrelevant compared to the wellbeing of your family. Just try to remember that."

„I know," Flash said, closing his eyes. Defeat was written all over his face. „I just... I just want to..."

„You want to take your anger and frustration out on the person who caused it, that's understandable," Lothar agreed. „But it doesn't help in any way. Do you really think you'll feel better once Ming is dead? It will not bring Dale back, but instead you have taken a life. I've read up a bit more on what is known about Ming. He has children too. We don't know if they're good guys or not, or what they think about their father's actions. But you would have killed someone's parent as well. You do not want that."

„No," Flash quietly said. „But I feel like I have to do something."

„Be there for your children and get your family affairs in order," Lothar suggested. „I know it's hard. I've lost both my parents. Sure, the circumstances were completely different, but I still had to manage a lot of things, make several decisions and be there for LJ who was taking it pretty hard. So, take some time off work, allow yourself to grieve and don't chase after revenge. That will not end well for sure."

"Thank you," Flash said. „Half an hour ago I was ready to jump into the next spaceship to Mongo. Now, I do feel a bit calmer."

Lothar was glad he had been able to help. Still, he felt like Flash should not be alone just yet, so he sat down with him to talk him through some things that had to be considered for the upcoming funeral.