Chapter 47: Mystery in Space:
Nancy's POV:
Remember Tom Swift? Well, he came to Riverdale to find his father, but then it turns out that his father is an alien and Tom goes with him to fight against their people, but it looks like Tom has come to ask for my help.
"What's wrong," I asked.
"It's on the planet Mindoth," says Tom, "and everyone thinks I killed my new boyfriend there."
"What," I asked.
"But it wasn't me," says Tom, "and that's where you come in."
"You want me to travel all the way to an alien planet," I asked, "I kind of got my own problems!"
"Look, I know you're dealing with ghosts and a dude who hates your guts, but on Mindoth, there's only one person you're allowed to kill... and that's a person who has killed and if we don't figure out who did it, I could be dead before my Dad and I can save Earth from Dad's people!"
I can't just let him down. "Okay," I said, "how do we get there?"
Tom then presses a button and we're teleported away.
. . .
Now we're on Mindoth, but I started suffocating... Tom then puts a breather on me. "Sorry, I forgot the air isn't breathable for Earthlings," says Tom, "but being half-Sromian allows me to breathe anywhere."
"Maybe next time, you think about my human lungs," I said.
"Now, there's something about the victim I didn't tell you," says Tom.
We were then surrounded. They were talking in an alien language.
"Is this crime that big," I asked.
"He was also the prince," says Tom.
. . .
Tom was talking to the King, but I couldn't understand a word they were saying.
"Tom, how can I help if I can't speak the same language?"
A Mindrothian then gives me a gross looking slug thing. It had no eyes, large fangs, and was slimey.
"You're supposed to eat it," says Tom.
I was afraid he'd say that. I took off my breather, ate the thing, then put my breather back on.
"Is that better," asks the King.
"Hey, I can understand you now," I said.
"It's like a Universal Translator," says Tom, "now, you can speak any language."
"Okay, now, I'm sorry about the death of your son," I said.
"I thought my son finally found the right boy, but then this boy killed him," says the King.
"It wasn't me," says Tom.
"Look, maybe if you show me the body," I said.
They all looked weird. I'm not saying that because the people are all purple, bald, and have six extra arms. I mean they look like I said something weird.
"The thing is, Nancy, when a Mindrothian dies, their body has to be disintegrated," says Tom.
"What," I asked, "isn't that, like, disrespectful?"
"Here, it would be disrespectful to not do it."
"On my planet, we bury the bodies... or cremate them," I said.
"Bury the bodies in the dirt," asks the King, "why would you do that?"
"Nevermind, what proof do you have that Tom did it," I asked.
"I saw it," says a Mindrothian girl.
"It's Teloma," says Tom, "the first female Mindrothian of this time."
"What," I asked.
"Mindrothians are a mostly male race," says Tom. I looked around and I realized they were mostly male. "A female is born once every 100 years."
"They're not misogynistic, are they," I asked.
"Actually, the female is usually treated with great respect," says Tom, "they're like celebraties here."
"Lady Teloma, tell this Earthling what you saw," says the King.
"I was working on my novel when I saw Tom killing the Prince," says Teloma.
"She must've been mistaken," says Tom.
"Your Highness," I said, "I would like permission to investigate!"
"Very well," says the King, "Tom did say you were a good detective."
"He also killed your son," says Teloma.
"I will give you a chance," says the King.
. . .
"It would help if you told me what you were doing," I said.
"That's the weird thing," says Tom, "I don't remember."
"And we only have one witness," I said.
"Is everything alright," asks a man as he shows up.
"Sure," says Tom, "Nancy, this is Mar, he was Prince Mot's fiancée before they broke up and Mot fell for me."
"Nice to meet you," I said.
"I've heard so much about Earth," says Mar, "is it true that your people tend to fall for members of the opposite gender?"
"There are some that like the opposite gender, some that like the same gender, some that like both genders, and some that don't like either," I said, "and there's more."
"Fascinating," says Mar, "well, Tom, I'm sure you're innocent. Let me know how I can help." Mar then walks away.
"He was engaged to the Prince, but then you came along," I said.
"Nancy, it couldn't be him," says Tom, "he passes out at the sight of blood."
"Alright," I said.
. . .
We were watching some Mindrothian soldiers train. "These guys are also a warrior race," says Tom.
"Who have a thing about murder," I said.
"It's what I like about these guys," says Tom, "they have their own ways."
"Is there anyone else who would hate the Prince," I asked.
"Now that I think about it," says Tom, "there is one person... Gor! He hates the idea of the Prince of Mindroth dating someone who's half-Sromian. You know, because the people of Srom are conquerers."
"Let's give it a try," I said, "who is Gor?"
"The King's husband," says Tom.
"Oh, he's that kind of guy," I said, "hey, how are baby Mindrothians... you know..."
"I don't know," says Tom, "everytime I asked Mot, he would change the subject."
. . .
We then secretly followed Gor.
"What does he do when he's not being... what ever title for the King's husband it would be," I asked.
"First of all, it's Romking," says Tom, "and second, he usually watches Zuugar." I was confused. "It's like Mindrothian football. These guys aren't exactly a stereotype."
. . .
We see Gor sitting on a chair, eating what I assume is junkfood, and watching Zuugar. I did not understand the game at all. "I hope no one knows my secret..." says Gor. We were expecting him to reveal he killed his own son. "... that I've been taking Quarz lessons."
"Quarz is like Mindrothian ballet," says Tom.
"Let's go," I said.
. . .
"Sorry, Tom," I said.
"I can't think of anyone else who could've done it," says Tom.
I then thought about something... Teloma was the only witness. "We need to talk to Teloma," I said.
. . .
I banged on Teloma's door and she answers. "Teloma, I need to talk to you right now," I said.
"Well, if you wanted to get to know me, you just had to ask," says Teloma.
"What," I said.
"I do find you quite interesting," says Teloma.
I then backed away. "I'm straight," I said.
"What's... straight," says Teloma.
"It means I like boys," I said.
"Oh, like the neighboring planet," says Teloma.
"Yeah, everyone there likes the opposite gender," says Tom, "planets, am I right?"
"It's about the Prince's death," I said, "I think it's too convenient that you're the only one who saw what happened..." Then something knocked us out from behind.
. . .
I opened my eyes and it was Mar and Teloma.
"You both did it," I asked.
"Actually, I hired Teloma to do the work for me," says Mar.
"Why," asks Tom.
"I was going to marry the Prince so that I could become King one day," says Mar, "but then he fell in love with you! So, I had Teloma kill the Prince and put the blame on you!"
"But why didn't you just have her kill me," asks Tom.
"That... probably would've worked too," says Mar.
"I'm guessing you really can't handle blood that well," I said.
"Nope," says Mar, "but Teloma can."
"I would do anything for money," says Teloma.
"And now to get rid of the both of you," says Mar.
We were about to be fed to a large beast that kind of looks like Woola from John Carter. Just as we were about to get eaten, I had an idea. "Hey Teloma, isn't being female like a big deal?"
"Yeah it is," says Teloma.
"Then maybe you should call the shots," I said.
"Hold on," says Mar, "this was all my planning!"
"I have been doing all the work," says Teloma.
"I knocked them out," says Mar, "and all you did was kill someone!"
The two started fighting and the thing was distracted, allowing me and Tom to escape. We then knocked them both out. And fled with them from the thing as it tried to chase us, but it was chained to a wall.
. . .
We then made Mar and Teloma confess to their crimes.
"I hope you can forgive me, Tom Swift," says the King.
"What's to forgive," asks Tom.
"But I must regain my honor," says the King, "my people will help you and your Father against Srom!"
"Thank you," says Tom.
"And Nancy Drew, thank you for all of your help," says the King.
"So, what's going to happen to Mar and Teloma," I asked. We then heard something. "Nevermind."
. . .
Tom then took me back to Earth and I took my breather off. "I owe you for this," says Tom.
"It's what I do," I said. "I hope you find someone again."
"Me too, but it may be a while before I get over Mot."
"Do you realize that Mot is backwards for your name," I asked.
"Huhh... I didn't notice that before. Oh well. See ya around, Nancy."
We then hugged and Tom left.
. . .
The next day, I arrived at Pop's and a man came. "Miss, do you know where the bathroom is?"
"Sure," I said, "it's over there."
"Thank you." He then walks to the bathroom.
I looked and everyone was staring at me. "Since when can you understand Italian," asks Ned.
"Boy, do I have a story for you guys," I said.
In the next chapter, Nancy and Laura take on Xandra.