CHAPTER 6
TEN AGAIN
JUNE 2, 2048
129 Back in the ship, Maxwell spoke up. "Hey, that fishbowl over there has goldfish in it!… two of them!
130 Turner stood up from his seat, engaged the autopilot, and went over to the fishbowl. He looked intently at the goldfish inside it, and saw their eyes. He winked at them.
131 Maxwell watched in horror as they winked back at Turner.
132 Turner faced Maxwell. "No biggie, Keith. They're normal."
JUNE 4, 2048
133 Turner pressed a few familiar buttons on his control panel in the P10F cockpit - now attached to Julius and Venus. "Main engine start. We're approaching Earth."
134 An hour later, each of the 128 astronauts disembarked Axwell-class cruiser CJ-3455-WV. Mission CSVL-9895 had been a success. Captain lined up his comrades. "All I want to say is thank you. You've done a great favor to the entire human race… and to me also. You made me feel joyous inside; you made me feel curious and happy for being an astronaut. You made me ten again. I declare Mission CSVL-9895 officially accomplished!"
135 Turner watched the lanes of cars on the highway as he was driving back home to meet his family. He watched the dark blue sky against the pastel red of taillights on his lane and vibrant yellow-white of headlights in the oncoming. Beside him was his fishbowl, both fish still inside. He sighed in relief. Another accomplished mission - with another ally for not only children around the world, but the entire human race as well.
136 He got out at exit 65 and read the large sign beside the road: "WELCOME TO DIMMSDALE - NICEST TOWN ON EARTH!"
THE END