Gravity Galaxy

by jawmax

For fifteen years Dipper, Mabel, Gideon, and Pacifica were lost in a distant galaxy. Now that they have returned to earth we will hear the tales of how they struggled to get home and continue to adjust to life back on earth.

3. New Home, Old Home

Chapter 3

New Home, Old Home.

Dipper turned to the projection of Ixcia. "Okay first thing we need to do to figure out where to look for our friends. Ixcia what do you know about the Azure Crown Star Cluster or the Onyx Brotherhood?"

Ixcia's avatar disappeared and was replace with a holographic map of a four-armed galaxy with a flashing blue dot showing their current location. "The Azure Crown Star Cluster is a region of this galaxy made up of around five hundred thousand stars-systems." The star chart highlighted and zoomed into a group of stars that looked like blue crown at one edge of the galaxy. Then the map zoomed out and highlighted several star systems on the center of map. "The Onyx Brotherhood is an armed rebellion against the Grand Cosmic Imperium operating in over six hundred star-systems."

Mabel looked at the map. "It looks all the spots where Gideon could be are in are in between us and where we have to look for Pacifica. So, I guess we need to look for him first. Ixcia set a course to the closest one."

The map shrunk down back to Ixcia's avatar. "I am afraid there are some more mundane concerns that need to be addressed first. While I set a course to safeguard your lives my directives dictate that a new captain must be chosen before I can perform anything beyond basic and emergency functions.

"It's just the two of us right now." Dipper said. "I don't think either of us wants to boss the other around so what do you say Mabel; same as the lake, Co-Captains?"

Mabel nodded. "Yeah, Co-Captains."

The diamond on Ixcia grew and shrank. "I do not understand."

"It means you don't follow orders we don't agree on."

"Very well captains."

Dipper rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Just call us by our names."

"Very well Dipper. We also have monetary concerns as well as the legal transference of all of Captain Darnak's assets to your ownership including myself. With your permission I would like to set course for Arfak 4; a planet that has the legal offices we need as well as a client who is expecting our cargo. We need the Quan he will pay us as Captain Darnak spent most of our funds purchasing you."

"I'm guessing Quan is money. Okay, I guess we don't have much choice. Set a course."

"Mabel do you agree?"

"Yeah, from now on unless we say so you should assume, we agree. That could get annoying." Mabel said.

"Very well, estimated time to arrival three galactic standard days. Now I recommend you tour the ship to familiarize yourselves with my layout."

Just then a growl came from the twins' stomachs. "Can we make the first stop the kitchen? We haven't eaten since yesterday." Dipper asked.

"Of course. This is the Common Area, designed for the crew's relaxation or that of any passengers we may have aboard." It was with this the twins noticed the two couches and table in the room then a door opened.

"Guess that's where we're going next." Mabel said.

They entered a room that had cabinets and odd-looking appliances and another projection orb. "This is the galley. As you requested there is food here however my scans show that the food Captain Darnak stocked for himself is poisonous for your species so the only edible food for you are algae bars that are used for emergency rations. One should provide enough nutrition for one standard galactic day." One of the cabinets opened filled with green spongy bars.

Mabel and Dipper each took a bite. "Oh man that tastes awful!" Dipper said with a sour look on his face.

Mabel's was no better. "It tastes like barf wrapped in a gym sock covered in pond scum! Are you sure we can eat this stuff?"

"I am sorry, but it is the only food item aboard that won't kill you until we reach Arfak 4." Ixcia said.

"Well just one a day won't be too bad. Right Mabel?" Dipper asked.

Mabel shoved the bar into her mouth and chewed and swallowed it as fast as she could. "As long as you promise that we'll get something better in three days."

Ixcia changed her avatar into an arrow. "Please follow me." They followed Ixcia back to the common area and to an adjacent hallway. As they entered noticed another door leading to the right side of the ship next to them and six other doors with three on each side leading to a finale large set of doors at the end. "These are the living quarters. Each room has a bed and a terminal to access my data."

Mabel open one of the doors. "This is nice. When we get Gideon and Pacifica back, they can each have their own room. That leaves three for passengers."

Dipper held up his hand. "Mabel remember what we talked about with Mom about why we needed separate rooms after you started wearing a bra and we've only been sharing the attic at the Shack this summer because we've hung some old blankets on a line between our beds?"

"Yes, I remember. We'll have separate rooms. So which room do you want?"

"I may take Darnack's room after we look through some his stuff maybe we can sell it and his food."

Ixcia spoke. "You are both young for your species and you are siblings?"

Dipper looked up at the ceiling to speak. "Yes, we're twins and we're thirteen years old on our planet at least. We are considered adolescents of our people."

"This alters some of the parameters of my second directive. Your education is most likely incomplete, and to provide for your well being I must also provide for and assess this area of your development.

"Boo!" Mabel said. "We've only had one week of summer vacation and you want us to go back to school now?

"Mabel, this is serious!" Dipper said. "At that slave market we couldn't even read the numbers there! We are in an alien spaceship which probably takes very complicated math that we would learn in college to operate! If we are going to rescue our friends, we are going to need to learn everything we can. I'm sorry Mabel but our vacation is over at least until we get back home."

Mabel sighed. "I know but it's not fair."

"Perhaps this will cheer you up." Ixcia said as the large set of doors opened. "This is one of the most important rooms of the ship. The Bridge." The twins enter the room that was mostly a transparent dome with four chairs; three at computer terminals at the sides and one in the center of the room with a u-shaped control stick connected to it. A large projection orb was on the floor and it made a large version of Ixcia's avatar. As she spoke each terminal lit up. "The stations here are Navigation where you can chart a course and scan for hazards, next to that is Engineering is where you control the allocation of power and adjust the settings of the ships systems, across from that is Tactical which controls our shields, weapons, and cloak…"

"This is so cool!" Mabel said. "When can we blow something up?"

"As a cargo ship my weapon systems are not as powerful as a dedicated warship. However, my hull is made of highly durable titanium vorkanite alloy. Along with my high capacity shields I often withstand attacks until the cloak or hyper jump can be engaged."

Dipper had thoughtful look on his face. "So, against the really tough guys our best bet is hold out until we can hide or run."

Ixcia continued. "The central station is the Helm. This is where you will learn to directly pilot the ship."

Dipper gave Mabel a smile. "Hear that Mabel, part of our schooling is going to be learning how to fly a spaceship."

Mabel jumped up and down. "That's going to beat the heck out of Driver Ed!"

"But now that I think about it; you know we're from a planet that's primitive compared to others you know of. Wouldn't teaching us how to use all this tech violate some noninterference law? You know let less advanced civilizations progress naturally?"

Ixia then said. "I am not aware of a law like that in fact several species advance primitive species to turn their worlds into vassal states."

Mabel nodded. "Okay, so there's no problem with teaching us how to fly you."

"Dipper, Mabel there are still sections of the ship that you need to see." Ixcia said. Please go to the starboard side ship."

Mabel looked confused. "And starboard is…"

"The right side of the ship." Dipper said. They made their way back to the door that they saw earlier which led to a corridor with small windows on one side and two doors on the other. The first door opened, and Dipper and Mabel went inside.

"This is the ships Lavatory," Ixcia said showing a room with two stalls, one large and one small.

"We can mix chemicals here?" Mabel asked.

Dipper smacked his head. "Lavatory is another word for bathroom Mabel."

"Oh, good I was wondering where it was." Mabel opened the large stall a saw a large black device hanging from the ceiling over a black platform that had horizontal bars sticking out of it.

"Ixcia, what is that thing?" Dipper asked.

"That is a vibrational cleaner. It is uses subsonic vibrations to clean a being's body or clothes placed on the racks."

Mabel gave Dipper a light punch in the shoulder. "Now you don't have an excuse for not washing your clothes."

Dipper groaned but then had a thought and then spoke. "Mabel our clothes were left back on earth except for our pajamas. So, after we get the money on the planet, we're going to not only buy food but new clothes too."

"Well as long as they have what I need to knit some sweaters I'll be happy."

Next the tour took them to a white room with two beds and robotic arms hanging from a track on the ceiling. There were also several cabinets with clear doors. "This is the Sick Bay. Here I can attend to any injuries or illness. There are several medicines stocked here."

Dipper couldn't contain his growing excitement. "Ixcia, you are amazing! You can scan and map places all over this galaxy! You can pilot yourself with awesome defenses. You're willing to be our teacher and doctor!"

"Thank you, Dipper. But I am only doing what I was designed and programed to do. Now there are two more sections of the ship." They went to the rear of the ship. "This is the Engine Room. This also houses my life support and artificial gravity systems. My engines run on a matter anti-matter reaction focused through a Vyron crystal matrix enabling faster than light travel." The engine was a sphere connected to four cylinders with a glowing blue center. One of the tubes began sparking and a small grey mushroom shaped robot with three prongs on the bottom that made it float, two arms with hands that each had three fingers, and a single wide red visor eye. It immediately began to repair the part. "That is our repair drone, it repairs damage to my systems."

Mabel got close to the robot. "Well you're a cute little guy. What's his name?"

"It does not have a name. It only has a serial number. 1AM-5005."

Mabel thought for a moment. "If you change the numbers into letters…I am Soos! Yeah, he fixes things around here like Soos does back home. Yeah, how about the name Soostron?"

Dipper gave Mabel a disapproving look. "Isn't that the name you used when we tried mind controlling Soos?"

"It will better for an actual robot Dipper." Mabel waved Dipper off. "So, what do you say? Do you like the name Soostron?" She asked the robot.

The robot made some beeping and whistling noises in response. Ixcia then said. "Your translator implants are not designed for machine language. I will translate for it. It says that however you wish refer to it; it will respond and serve."

Dipper shrugged. "Okay Soostron it is. But can we can call Soostron him? I don't think either of us are comfortable using the term it to describe something we will be interacting with for the foreseeable future."

"I will take this as an order. Soostron show them to the Cargo Bay."

They followed Soostron to one of four circular lifts that lead to a red room that was a big as all the other rooms combined with several large boxes. "Wow, this room is really big!" Mabel shouted making an echo.

"So those boxes are our cargo? What's in them?" Dipper asked.

Ixcia answered. "Various mechanical parts."

Mabel walked up to one of the crates and gave it a push not moving it an inch. "How are we going to unload all those things?"

"Please direct your attention to the ceiling." They looked up to see two machines hanging by large claws on cables. One looked like a headless black robot the other was ovular in shape, white in color with a dim blue light along the bottom with handlebars sticking out the top and small boxes attached on either side.

"What are those things?" Dipper asked.

"One is a power loader with controls to mimic the operator's movement. The other is a personal flight vehicle that the former captain used in areas where I was required to stay docked or in spaces too narrow for me to maneuver."

Mabel squealed. "This just keeps getting better and better! We have a robot suit and a jet bike!"

"They are not legally yours yet. As I have stated on Arfak 4 you will need to read and sign the digital legal documents for ownership of this ship and all on it to be passed to you. Documents which will be in a language that you do not know how to read. I recommend you return to the common area so you can be comfortable while we have your first lesson." Ixcia said.

Dipper gave a nod. "Right, we got a lot to learn if we going to find our friends and go home."

Mabel sighed. "I guess summer's over."

For the next three days they had lessons in the dominant written language of the galaxy, mathematics, and stellar phenomenon. Dipper took over Darnak's old room next to the cockpit while Mabel decided on the room across from Dipper. Then they arrived at Arfak 4.

"Wow, it almost looks like Earth." Dipper said looking down on the planet.

"So where do we go to down there?" Mabel asked.

"One moment…I have received the coordinates the local Grand Cosmic Imperium legal affairs office closest to our client. Setting course."

"Grand Cosmic Imperium? That name sounds a bit pretentious." Dipper said.

"They are the dominant power in this and several other galaxies." Explained Ixcia. They flew to a large city with elevated landing pads for ships connected to skyscrapers. After they landed the cargo bay door opened and the twins stepped outside. "Dipper, Mabel, can you hear me? Ixcia voice seemed come from right behind their left ears.

"We sure do Ixcia." Mabel said with a grin into the communicator she wore on her wrist just like the one Dipper was wearing. "Thanks for telling us about these things. Now we can talk and find each another no matter what planet we're on."

"Good, my link to your translator implants will not only allow me long range communication with you but also allow me to find your location so long as you are in my scanning range. Once you find your friends I should easily link to their implants as well."

"Okay, Ixcia show us the way to this office." said Dipper. They got onto to a flying bus and Dipper kept looking at all the different kinds of aliens. "Look at them all Mabel. There is enough here for hundreds of journals and this is just one planet!"

"Just remember that we got to find Gideon and Pacifica."

"Of course, but we'll probably be at this for a while so maybe I should put down some entries in the ships log since my journal is back on earth."

They got to another tower and went inside with a long line to the reception desk. "Guess some things are the same no matter where in universe you are." Mabel groaned. It took a good ten minutes until they got to the to the receptionist who had tentacles instead of arms. "Excuse us?"

"Yes, how may your Imperium help you today?" The receptionist asked.

Dipper took a breath and tried to sound calm. "Yes, we're the crew of the Ixcia and our captain died. Our ship contacted you."

"Oh yes, you need to see Mr. Harn. His office is down that hall, sixth door on the left." The receptionist pointed her tentacle in the direction for them to go.

The Pines twins entered the office and found Mr. Harn to be blue skinned man with ears that were pointed with tips that curved like hooks. Next to him was what looked like a humanoid rabbit lady with green fur and a long tail. "Greetings. So, you represent the crew of the Ixcia?" he asked.

"Actually, we are the entire crew." Dipper said as he sat down.

"Well this should speed things up then." Mr. Harn handed each twin a tablet. "You just need to fill out these forms and answer a few questions". Both twins stared at the lady. "Oh, you must have never seen a Fenari before. It's okay Meliea's people are used in legal matters in the Imperium for their ability to detect lies. Now let's start with your names and how long each of you have served under Captain…Darnak?"

"Oh, we were both registered as members of the crew about three minutes before he was crushed by part of the space station that he bought us at." Mabel said. "I'm Mabel Pines."

"I'm Dipper Pines." Dipper said trying to fill out the form.

Melliea held up her hand. "That is not your name. The ringing in my ears is very light. Dipper is what everyone calls you?"

"Yeah, it's a nickname. When I was born my name was Mason." Dipper said embarrassed.

"No need to feel ashamed. It is was a small untruth. Only blatant lies are what are punished. We only wish for the most accurate information to help you."

Harn looked at his holographic computer. "Yes, Darnak was wanted for several smuggling charges so it is no surprise that he would do something as illegal as purchase slaves. He had no living family so there should be no one to contest the transfer."

"Ixcia didn't you say that it was Imperium cruisers that attacked the station?" Dipper asked.

"Correct." Ixcia said from the scantrix they with them to translate any writing they haven't learned yet.

Mr. Harn seemed uncomfortable. "Well our brave and loyal officers of the Imperium Fleet can be a bit overzealous when pursuing justice and may have forgotten to check for civilians."

"We almost died!" Mabel yelled.

"So what planet are you from and how did you end up in slavery?" Harn asked eager to change the subject.

Dipper gave an exasperated sigh. "We were abducted from our home planet Earth along with two others."

"Earth… I am not familiar with that planet."

"It's in what we call the Milky Way Galaxy. We would like to find our friends who were sold and get us all back there as soon as we can." Dipper said hoping this could lead them home.

"Never heard of it. But the universe is a big place and I'm sure there is a record of your world somewhere."

"Would some pictures help?" Mabel asked. "Is there a drawing app on this thing?" Mabel held up the tablet.

"It does; we can run a search with the Imperium database." Mr. Harn pulled up the program and Dipper helped Mabel draw as accurate pictures of both Earth and the Milky Way as they could. "There, our database is extensive so it could be a few hours before we know where you home world maybe."

Dipper had a hopeful look. "Well if you find it please send us the information. We need to find our lost friends and bring them home. Ixcia only has data on this galaxy. Wherever it is."

"You're in the Isoban galaxy." Melliea said with a smile.

Mr. Harn tried to move things along. "Alright now before we go any further I must ask you since your former captain was a wanted criminal, are either of you aware of any current illegal activity he was doing before he died?"

"Nope." Mabel said while trying to figure out one word on her tablet.

Dipper then said. "He didn't have time to tell us about any schemes he had going."

Harn looked at Melliea who nodded. "Very good then. Now let just finish these forms then we can sync your quan disks to your ships account and then the transfer of ownership of Darnak's Deliveries will be complete."

Mabel had a troubled look on her face. "We don't have quan disks. What are they again?"

Mr. Harn looked at Melliea who was just as confused. "You seriously don't know what a quan disk is?"

Dipper cleared things up. "Like we said we were taken from a planet that not as advanced as this one."

"Well then I just have to get you some then. They are what we use to transfer our digital currency. Quan in all it's denominations is used in almost all of the known universe." A few minutes later the twins were handed pentagonal yellow disks and finished the forms and then left.

"They seem like good kids. I hope they find their friends soon. Although the odds are against them." Melliea said.

Just then Harn's computer flashed. He looked at the screen and got a shocked look on his face. "By the Comos…"

As they stepped outside Dipper and Mabel saw their jet bike fly right to them. Ixcia contacted them. "I engaged the bike's auto pilot; it would have complicated the transfer process if you left with it but now all of Darnak's property is yours. I have already contacted our customer. A one Tutfis Molgar and he has not only paid but after he receives the cargo he is willing to give you both a discount at his store."

Dipper and Mabel smiled. "That's great Ixcia. Give us directions and we'll head right over." Dipper said.

"Yeah as comfy as they are, I'm so ready to wear something other than my pajamas. Mabel added.

As they flew off to another part of the city security from the building came outside. "Do you see them?" one of them asked the other.

"No. Send word to all Centurions. Capturing them is our top priority!"

The Pines twins came into the store that had all kinds of products. They saw a man behind the counter with orange skin and one eye. Mabel walked right up to the counter. "Hello are you Tutfis?"

The man turned around. "Boo!" The twins jumped back; he had two eyes one of them was in the back of his head which was the one they were facing when they came in. "Sorry but that's too funny to pass up. Yeah, I'm Tufis. So, you're the kids that took over Darnak's operation. Well I already picked up the goods and transferred five hundred kiloquan to your account."

"I thought money was called quan." Mabel asked.

Dipper thought for a minute. "Sounds like quan is a kind of metric money system."

"Right." Tutfis said. "And that amount includes Darnak's stuff as a trade in. Your A.I. has already made purchases of food you can eat. She also told me you want to get some clothes so how about I show you what I got."

Mabel followed Tutfis. "I do hope you got some nice sweaters for sale. They're my signature look."

"Never heard of a sweater before but I'm sure I have something you'll like. I stock only the highest quality synthetic fabrics."

"Well, it's as Dipper said, we're going to be in space for a while, so I'll have to make do."

They came up to some white rolls of fabric and a machine next to them Dipper right behind them. "These all look the same." He said.

Tutfis laughed. "This machine will cut, stich, and color these fabrics in whatever you need."

"Can we make patterns on them? I'd like to have pictures on my clothes!" Mabel said excited.

Tutfis laughed again. "Except for uniforms of some kind I never heard of such a thing! Sorry that I can't provide such a thing, but it sounds like a good business idea. I'll look into it. Now how about we get you two measured for your clothes."

After some quick scans and waiting for the machine to do its work the twins came out of a pair of dressing rooms. Dipper was wearing a blue shirt with black pants and boots. "Not bad, just wish there was a hat to go with it."

Mabel was wearing a green blouse and pants with a brown skirt and boots. "I figure I'd wear earthy tones until we get back to Earth."

"Well now you two look good. Now how about we get you young folks some protection? The galaxy is a very dangerous place you know." Tutfis suggested.

"Well as soon as we got to the galaxy, we were attacked by space pirates so yeah we could probably use some weapons." Dipper said.

Mabel agreed. "That and we probably need them if we are going to rescue our friends. Now one thing I'm going to need is a grappling hook since mine got left on earth."

"I have just the thing." Tutfis went to a secure case and pulled out a blaster with a hook and line on a very small winch. "This item is very popular with folks need to move around quietly. Just flip this switch on the side to go from the gun or the hook."

"It's perfect!" Mabel cheered.

"Now what would you like Dipper?" Tutfis asked.

Dipper thought for a moment. "Well I think I'd like something that I can use up close and at a distance."

"I think I know what you're looking for." Tutfis then got a metal glove with green gem on the back of the hand. "This is a Power Gauntlet, it enhances your punching power and this crystal fires bolts of energy. Best of all it is adjustable so you can make it fit as you grow."

Dipper tried the gauntlet on his right hand and finding a control it shrank down to fit his hand. "Fits like glove."

"Literally, should be a big improvement for your noodle arms." laughed Mabel.

"Now your sister has something that increases her mobility which is always handy so how about these boosters for you boots? They'll provide short range flight for about ten minutes." He pulled out two devices with two cylinders that have a cone at one end connected by a rectangular joint

"How do I control where I'm going with them?" Dipper asked.

"I got a testing range out back out back. I'll show you." After trying out their new gear the Pines twins paid by touching one their disk to one Tutfis had and went on their way. "Good luck to you two and remember, this galaxy is a dangerous place. There are a lot of though customers out there and it's easy to get on the Imperium's bad side."

"Thanks, we will remember." Dipper said as they flew off.

As they got back to the Ixcia they found a man that looked like a silver colored insect with long mandibles in a yellow cloak with a hood that covered most of his head except his large green eyes. He seemed to be poking around their ship like he was trying to get in. "Hey what are you doing?" Mabel asked.

The creature spoke. "Sorry, my name is Crix and I was wondering if you would be interested in selling me your fine vessel?" As soon as he finished speaking Crix made a few clicking sounds with mandibles.

"Sorry pal but we just got her." Dipper said as the cargo bay door opened. "We just need to get our bike on board and then we'll be leaving."

Soostron came out and Mabel handed him the bags with the spare clothes. "Soostron take these to our rooms please." Mabel walked the jet bike into the cargo bay.

Crix continued to speak while this happened. "Where will you be going? Perhaps you can take me on as a passenger if we're going the same way?" He made the clicking again.

"We haven't decided yet where we're going. Wouldn't want to take you to the wrong side of the galaxy, right? But if you need cargo hauled somewhere then you can reach us on the cosmo-net under the name Odysseus Enterprises." Dipper was proud of the new name he came up with for their company. He didn't know just how prophetic the name would be.

"But…" Before Crix could finish a siren blared through the air and a large grey stone man with green crystals growing out of his head came out of a small ship while two other officers in helmets and the same sliver uniform followed him. Two other ships shaped like arrowheads with long thin wings had lights fixed on the humans. Crix ran as fast as he could. "No! Not now! I was so close!" Crix thought. He vowed he would get that ship someday.

"Mason and Mabel Pines! I'm Centurion Sargent Buckgis and I'm placing you under arrest!" The stone man said as shield expanded from a device on his left wrist and he pulled out a what looked like an electrically charged nightstick.

Ixcia spoke on her loudspeakers. "They had no idea the parts we sold to Mr. Molgar were stolen. I hid this information from them."

"You lied to us?" Mabel asked.

"To protect you both."

Buckgis interrupted them. "We already arrested Tutfis Molgar. But smuggling and selling stolen goods are nothing compared to their crimes. Emperor Grandus, leader of the Grand Cosmic Imperium who is the manifestation of the will of the universe has declared all of your species as heretics!"

"What?!" the twins shouted.

"Come with me quietly. There is no reason to make this any harder than it has to be."

Ixcia spoke. "Mabel, Dipper in the Imperium the punishment for heresy is death!"

Dipper and Mabel each took a step back. "Listen man, we don't want to die! We just want to find our friends and go home. You don't have to do this!" Dipper said.

Mabel was shaking. "Yeah, just let us go. We'll leave and you'll never have to see us again."

Buckgis growled at the twins. "You do not understand. The will of the emperor is the will of the cosmos! And the cosmos demands that you die!" Buckgis charged at them. Dipper shot at his shield flying back to the ship. Mabel followed suit running and shooting at the other officers. The top of Ixcia opened and two laser guns raised up and shot the two floating ships grounding them. Ixcia began to lift off while closing the door but Buckgis jumped and grabbed the door. "You cannot escape!" he yelled.

"I think we just did." Dipper said punching Buckgis in the face with his gauntlet. Buckgis fell back unto the platform and spat a tooth out.

"All patrols ships capture that vessel!"

On the Ixcia Dipper and Mabel went to the Bridge. The ship was rocked as more patrol ships fired at the shields. "Ixcia cloak the ship! Cloak us now!" Mabel screamed.

On the outside the Ixcia faded from the sight of their pursuers. After that they left the atmosphere. "We have evaded the Imperium patrols for now." Ixcia said.

Dipper was angry. "Ixcia why didn't you tell us that those parts were stolen?"

"It is common for the Imperium to employ Fenari in legal and military installations. The parts we had on board was our only source of income until the legal transfer was complete. I determined that if you had not known of our cargo's true nature you would not be caught in a lie and not liable for any crime. I did this to fulfill my directive to look out for your wellbeing."

"Well it didn't work out that way!" Mabel screamed. "Why did they say we were heretics? That's what you call someone who goes against a religion. What did we do wrong? What's going to happen?"

"I do not know. The only one who can declare heresy in the Imperium is the Emperor. There was nothing on the form or what you said that I can see that would lead him to such a conclusion. However, with these charges made you are now wanted criminals in the Imperium, and they will place a bounty on you."

"Great!" Dipper yelled sarcastically. "Now we have the biggest power in the galaxy after us and even if we go somewhere that's not controlled by them anyone who wants to make some quick quan will be after us too! And it's not just us! That rock cop said our whole species are heretics! That means Pacifica and Gideon are in danger too! If we knew what was exactly in those crates, we could have told you not go through with this sale and we could have gone to a non-Imperium world!"

"Dipper!" Mabel yelled. "She couldn't have known what would happen. And the Imperium is so big then this would have happened sooner or later anyway."

Dipper calmed down a little. "Ixcia I'm sorry I got mad, it just… last summer I was in a situation that made me think I could trust no one and I don't want to go through that again."

The diamond that was Ixcia's eye grew and shrank. "I too must apologize. While my logic was not in error, I was. In trying to look out for your well being I hid information you needed to know as my captains. I promise that I will not do this again."

"Thank you Ixcia." Dipper said. "I'm still worried about our friends though. A price is now on their heads and they don't even know it yet."

"They may not be in as much danger as you think. The Imperium is not yet aware of them as far as we know. Gideon is with the Onyx Brotherhood who is fighting against the Imperium and would not likely be exposed as nothing more than an enemy combatant unless he reaches a high rank which not likely for a slave soldier. As for Pacifica the Azure Crown Star Cluster is a region that the Imperium controls only a small section of and since slavery is banned in the Imperium it highly probable that she was taken to a system outside of their control."

"Still we need to find them as soon as we can. Let's set a course for the nearest system the Onyx Brotherhood is fighting in." Dipper went to Navigation.

"We will need to stop and refuel halfway there. This will cost us a significant portion of our funds."

Mabel sat down in the Engineering station. The screen changed to the Odysseus Enterprises website which had the logo Mabel made of a shooting star with a pine tree inside it. "I'll check the cosmo-net if there are any job postings along the way. Don't worry Bro-Bro, as long as we stay positive, we should find our friends and get back home in no time."

Fifteen years later…

"And that's why we need to all nations, corporations, every human being on the planet must work together to advance our technology, build alliances with other species, expand our territory in space as much as we can. We are heretics in the eyes of the Grand Cosmic Imperium, and they will not negotiate. While it does sound like we don't have a chance they don't know where our galaxy is in this region of space, so we do have centuries until they find us, but we must begin as soon as possible. The four of us will act as consultants to the world's scientists, space organizations, and leaders to try get us out into the galaxy before we lose it. We will operate from right here in Gravity Falls. Today science fiction has become a reality and we must be ready for when the Imperium arrives. Are there any questions?" It was several hours after the crew of the Ixcia was questioned by Agent Trigger and now they were in town hall holding a press conference. Dipper had just finished going over all the relevant details. Several reporters raised their hands. Dipper pointed to the one of them. "Yes, you from WNN?"

"Yes, Mr. Pines you have just asked the whole world to put aside their biases, their race, religion, and political affiliations to undertake the greatest undertaking in human history. Do you really think that it is possible for all us to do this?"

"I know what we've asked will be hard for some of us, but we must do all this of our species is to survive." Dipper answered. "Next question from Wolf News."

A woman reporter answered. "Mr. Pines what you have proposed will have an astronomical cost for not only our country but every other country in the world. In order to pay for this; taxes around the world will have to be raised as well as cutting most government spending for all except space programs. Let's say we do believe you when you say that this plan is something humanity needs but is something humanity can afford?"

Pacifica spoke. "I'd like to answer this one Dipper." Dipper nodded and let his wife answer. "There is no denying that this will be expensive. However, as an initial cost saving measure our ship the Ixcia will be used for the first settlement and resource gathering missions while more ships with its capabilities are built. Also, most importantly the technology we are going to show the world how to build and the resources we can gather from space can provide incredible economic opportunities and whole new markets. The benefits will not be immediate, but we are on the verge of the biggest change in how human beings live since the industrial revolution. Our children and grandchildren are going to live in a world we have dreamed of since the days of Jules Vern. We have to give everything we can so our people, all of our people can have a fighting chance for the coming threat."

Dipper spoke again. "Now one more question from NSMCB."

The last reporter asked his question. "You all have been away from Earth for fifteen years. Forced to grow up on your own with no contact your own people, no awareness of events that have happened here. Now you're all trying to bring about a large change to a whole planet that you've been out of contact with for almost two decades. Where do you get the confidence for the task ahead? And how do you feel about coming home after all this time?"

Gideon answered. "We survived everything space threw at us. You can't go through what we've been through and not have some confidence. Even if that wasn't the case it doesn't change what needs to be done."

Mabel finished the question. "It has been a very long journey and it still hard to believe we're home. Words cannot express the joy the relief we all felt today. Thank you all for sharing our warning and our story with the world."

The group left the auditorium while the reporters tried to get more question a pictures in. In the adjacent hallway Wendy, Robbie, and Agent Trigger were waiting for them. Wendy was on her cell phone. "I'll be home soon, give her a kiss for me. I love you." Wendy hung up her phone. "Well that went well." She said. "But I have to be honest, this whole alien empire coming to kill us all thing has got me very nervous."

Dipper looked at Wendy. "We have time Wendy. We're not going let anything happen. I heard you talking on the phone. You have a daughter?"

"Amelia. She's five years old and right now she's with Grey, my husband."

"We've all missed so much." Mabel said in a hushed tone.

Trigger coughed. "I been asked by the president to act as a liaison between you and the government. I must prepare a briefing for him, Congress, and the Pentagon. This whole thing has really shaken up Washington. You all just had to come back on an election year, didn't you?" Trigger then took a breath. "Remember our deal. The four of you can't stay on your ship alone together until we build a ship of our own. Until then an agent must be aboard with you. Hotel rooms have been provided for you, just ask one of the agents to bring you there." Tigger then stomped off.

Gideon tapped his chin. "This would be the first election any of us would participate in. I don't know who the candidates are or if I side with one party or another."

"I guess I'll vote for who will be most willing to help the four us get humanity out to other planets." Dipper said.

Robbie then tapped his briefcase. "Since you do plan on voting you'll be glad to know that I got the paperwork right here to reverse your declaration of death. All you need to do is to sign them, and you'll be legally back from the dead."

Mabel was glad Trigger wasn't here to hear that given with his run in with zombies. "Thanks Robbie." Mabel carefully reach for a form to and pen to sign it.

"Mabel did I do something?" Robbie asked. "You've been nervous around me. I owe you everything Mabel, you got me together with Tambry, she's my wife now. Robbie Jr.; we call him R.J.; wouldn't even exist if it weren't for you."

Mabel took a deep breath. "It's not you Robbie. I very glad to hear all that about a match I've made. My problem is…I have bad luck with lawyers."

"Bad luck as in every time we needed one you've knocked them out." Dipper said.

"Hey, they deserved it…most of the time."

Pacifica sighed as she handed her form to Robbie. "Well that should make things easier. But we still have a lot of work ahead of us."

Wendy placed her hand on Pacifica's shoulder. "Well, don't just focus on saving all of us. If you all burnt out from work, it won't do any of us any good. You guys need to rebuild your lives here. Robbie and I already got on a big part of that while you were having the press conference."

Robbie gave a smile. "We contacted your families. Now Dipper, Mabel your parents are on their way here, but Stan and Ford are in the building right now, Pacifica, Gideon your families are here too. They're each in separate rooms right now. We can take you to them right now."

"What?" Pacifica looked shocked. "My parents really want to see me? The last time we saw each other I yelled at them. And with everything I did out there…"

Dipper took Pacifica's hand. "It's going to be okay darling. Do you want me to be with you when you talk to them?"

Pacifica looked lovingly into his eyes. "No. Mason you go see your uncles. You're right I've faced space pirates, gangsters, warlords, bounty hunters, and Imperium solders. I can handle a talk with my mom and dad. I think…"

Wendy placed her hands onto Dipper and Mabel's shoulders. "Okay, I'll take the two of you to your uncles and Robbie will show Gideon and Pacifica to their parents."

"Sounds good." Dipper said.

"You guys must have also eaten some weird stuff out in space. So, I would like you all to join me and my family at Greasy's Diner tomorrow for some pancakes."

"Oh, yes!" Mabel cheered. "After so many years… a lot of the time when didn't have a lot of money we had to eat these algae bars. You do get used to eating it but…"

All four of had grimaces on their face at the thought. Gideon finished his wife's thought. "…But you never get used to tasting it! I swear it's the only food in the universe that tastes worse every time you eat it!"

"Well one thing's for certain is that I don't have a job there anymore." Pacifica said. She then had a flash of realization. "Dipper, Mabel one of you should tell Ixcia that things are fine. We don't want her flying in to rescue us because we lost track of time."

"Yes Dear." Dipper said bringing his communicator up. "Ixcia, we're checking in. Everything is fine and we'll be back sometime tomorrow afternoon, probably with guests to show them you and our tech. We'll be spending the night at local accommodations."

Ixcia responded. "Understood, all of you have a pleasant evening."

Wendy was glad she wouldn't have to worry about the townspeople panicking at the sight of her friends' ship flying around on its own. "Great you guys are going to really like Grey, he's smart, gentle, and he's not bothered by any of the weirdness of this town. And Amelia, I've been telling her bedtime stories of all our old adventures. She is going to love you guys."

Dipper gave a smile. "Looking forward to it Wendy. Now let's not keep are families waiting. Fifteen years is a long time to wait."