"I told you sabotaging those water pipes would work."

The man wearing a fedora sat with his feet propped up on the table, fingers cradled together, and tilting back so that his chair balanced precariously on two legs.

"I never doubted that it would work," the other man said, as he paced back and forth through the apartment, "What I questioned was the necessity."

"It bought those kids an extra day to search, BEFORE the Yeerks could get started," said Fedora Man, "It just might make the difference as to who reaches the Dome first. And that-" he pointed dramatically "-will almost certainly determine which side wins the battle for this planet."

The second man stopped pacing and glared angrily.

"Well, if it's that critical, why not let me do it? You know I have the time. I have done nothing but wait for the past month, except for the rare occasion when you see fit to send me on a trivial errand like-"

"Yes, I know you want to take a more active role. But you're supposed to be dead - you're already playing a more active role than you were meant to be playing now. And don't forget, I've suffered a terrible price to allow you to do even this much."

There was another long, angry stare.

"Being restricted to linear time for three months is not a terrible price, you know. Humans and Andalites manage to live with it just fine."

"Only because you've never been able to freely move through time in the first place," Fedora Man shuddered, "You have no idea what you're missing."

"I saw outside of time when I was pulled away from Earth. Away from my wife and son."

Fedora Man slid his feet off the table and leaned forward in his chair.

"Ah, yes. You did have a brief glimpse into my native dimension, didn't you? But only a brief one. And all you saw was your brother's path intersecting with that of your son. You haven't seen what lays further down that path. I have. And I know where your intervention would do the most good. Fear not, the time will come for you to take direct action again. I know you dislike being confined to this apartment, but you must be patient."

The second man clenched his fists, breathed deeply, tried to let go of his frustration...

"Will you at least let me see my son? Just once, to know that he is well?"

"He usually passes through this neighborhood around 10:30 each day. I suppose I could let you step out the front door to watch for him."

The second man thought it over for a moment.

"Every day?" he inquired, "Isn't he supposed to be in school?"

Fedora Man shrugged.

"Yes, and you're supposed to be dead. For that matter, one of the kids you gave the morphing power to was supposed to be in another state, and the Seer they rescued isn't supposed to exist yet. Lots of things happen that aren't 'supposed' to happen. What's your point, Alan?"

"There is something VERY important you're not telling me, isn't there?"

Fedora Man grinned.

"My powers may have been temporarily limited, but what kind of trickster god would I be if I didn't withhold important information from mortals who might need to know it? Your son is alive and well. Anything beyond that, you'll have to find out on your own. But for now, I do have another task for you - there's a particular boat out in the marina that needs to be in seaworthy condition by sunrise on Saturday."

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