Epilogue

Back in the Ready Room it was almost as if Jason and Princess had never been gone. Susan had even returned to her monitoring duties on Pluto. Mark smiled. Everything was back as it should be.

Almost.

"Want to play some ping pong?" challenged Jason.

"Nah…" Mark replied, "I think I've had enough ping pong to last me for a long time."

"Suit yourself!" Jason huffed. He reached into his pants and pulled out his little black book. Fortunately his Commander hadn't seen it tucked away in a hidden pocket of his duffel bag. Maybe he would call that girl… Mindy… the one he had spent the night with on Riga during the Race. His thoughts drifted to Mindy's special charms.

"Where's Keyop?" asked Mark, looking around the room.

"Well, he went to check out the G-1, Commander." answered Tiny. "After all, you promised him that he could test it out."

"You what?" exclaimed Jason, "Whatever possessed you to do that?"

Mark sighed. "It's a long story…"

"Don't worry Mark, I gave him some flying tips!" offered Tiny. Mark just groaned.

A nearby monitor beeped with an incoming communication. Princess glanced at the screen.

"It's for you Tiny!" she declared. Tiny walked over to the terminal, sat down and responded to the transmission.

A pretty blonde girl appeared on the screen. "Oh there you are Tiny!" she giggled. "I had to go through three operators and a strange robot in a number 7 sweater just to get through to you!"

Tiny blushed, "Well you got me!" he grinned. "What can I do for you, Mindy?"

"Well Tiny, I was wondering if you were going to come back to Riga anytime soon… so you could try out my latest cookie recipe." Mindy flirted.

Jason's head shot up. Mindy? From Riga? No… it couldn't be…

"Mindy!" he said, looking over Tiny's shoulder.

"Jason! Hi! I didn't know you knew Tiny!" Mindy exclaimed, "He's such a great guy. Isn't he awesome?"

Tiny blushed.

"Yeah. A great guy." Jason kicked the ping pong table as he turned away from the screen. A loud crash and a sharp yell announced that it had collapsed onto his foot.

"Ow!" he yelped. Mark just grinned.

"Tell you what Mindy, I may have some time tomorrow." said Tiny, "Let me check into it and get back to you."

"I'll be waiting!" giggled Mindy. She blew him a kiss as the transmission faded out.

Tiny was lost in his thoughts as Jason angrily nursed his sore foot.

Princess sat down next to Mark on the couch.

"You know Mark," she began, "I've been thinking a lot about something that happened to me while I was on Spectra."

"What is it Princess?" Mark asked. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"As a matter of fact, there is." she responded coyly. "When Zoltar had me prisoner I was at a… certain disadvantage." She continued in a more serious vein. "Fortunately Jason arrived in time, but I've been thinking about it a lot… I never want to be in that position again."

Mark shifted nervously in his seat. He had read Princess' official report, but had felt that something was missing.

"What is it you'd like me to do?" he asked.

Princess smiled at him. "Just come with me, Commander." she whispered into his ear.

A slow thrill crept through his body. "Anything you say Princess." he said softly.

Jason watched the couple leave with a smirk. "About time, if you ask me!" he remarked.

"Huh?" asked Tiny, still lost in his reverie. Absentmindedly he reached for a Space Burger and began to chew.

The door to the Ready Room opened again. Keyop entered, looking the worse for wear.

Tiny sat straight up. "What happened????" he asked.

"Brrrt… doot… crash…. G-1…" Keyop replied with an anxious face.

"Awwww man!" Tiny exclaimed, "Mark's gonna be furious!"

Keyop hung his head. "Beep… doot… tell him now…" and he reached for his communicator bracelet.

Jason put a hand on his arm.

"Not now." was all the Condor said. Then he winked at Keyop.

Life was back to normal at Center Neptune.