The sun shone high in the sky, its bright rays unfiltered by even a lone cloud.

Birds happily chirped and jumped around in the tree outside her room. A trio of young children rode their bikes down the street. Betty heard and saw it all through her open bedroom window, but she wasnt a part of any of it. She stared back at the textbook on her bed and scowled. Honestly, she sighed in utter disbelief while crawling back on top of her comforter. She lay on her stomach and propped her head on her elbows. Wiping a few loose strands of brown hair out of her eyes, she stared at the math book in disdain. It wasnt as though she hated the subject. She could appreciate the need to convert fractions to decimals, which was the subject of her current assignment. It was merely ridiculous to have homework on such a beautiful day so early into the school year. The numbers in her vision faded from her mind as she contemplated the absurdity of her situation. We spend two weeks saving our teachers lives, and this is the thanks we get. She wasnt asking for much, just a couple extra weeks without homework. Focus, Betty, she chastised herself while shaking the thought out of her mind. The sooner she got to work, the sooner it would be over. She gripped her pencil tight, took a deep breath, and stared at the first problem. The doorbell rang. Betty smiled devilishly before dropping the pencil and rolling off of the bed. Her mother was downstairs, infinitely closer to the front door. Yet she would take any excuse she was given. She dashed down the stairs and shouted, Ill get it! Her mother was ten feet from the door when Betty crossed her path. Mother and daughter stared at each other for a brief moment before Mrs. Quinlan crossed her arms. You know the rules, honey. No friends over until youre done your homework, she gently reminded her daughter. I didnt invite anyone over, Betty honestly answered. Ill tell them to come back. Mrs. Quinlan smiled before spinning around. Just be quick. You cant put off your homework forever. Betty smiled and shook her head in amusement. The doorbell rang once more, and she quickly stared through the peephole. Nick? she asked in surprise. She slowly opened the door to find the boy staring at her. Silence filled the air between them for a few seconds. Betty wasnt sure where she currently stood with the boy across from her. Theyd agreed to keep things friendly, but it

wasnt hard to tell that things were far different from what they once were. They hadnt spoken at all the past week. Betty, Nick started, but she interrupted him. Hang on, she whispered while looking over her shoulder. The kitchen appeared empty; her mother must have moved out of her view. She nodded and stepped outside. Nick took a step back as Betty joined him and closed the door behind her. She brushed her hand through her bangs once more before awkwardly crossing her arms. So, hey. Whats Now it was Nicks turn to interrupt. He swallowed nervously and stared deep into her eyes. Betty, we need to talk. For the first time, Betty got a good look at Nicks face. She hadnt seen him so serious since theyd raced towards Goobots ship to save Jimmy and Cindy. He looked hurt, scared, yet determined. Crap, Betty silently cursed. She nervously licked her lips before staring down at the ground. Nick, she began slowly, carefully measuring each coming word. We talked about this. Confusion slowly overtook Nicks features. What do you - ? I really like you, Betty quickly continued, once more eager to get her task over with. I told you that. But were better as friends. We agreed, right? Nick stared at her long and hard as she slowly looked up and met his gaze. Shed never seen him so pensive. He seemed to be reflecting her actions by weighing his words. Finally he uttered, The Yolkians are back, Betty. It took a moment for the words to sink in. She felt the blood seeping into her cheek and warming her flesh, but the sensation took back seat to the worry Nicks words instilled. What? was all she managed to utter. Nick took a step closer, glanced around to make sure no one else was nearby, and met her eyes. Theyre back, Betty. I need to talk to you about it. Worry was slowly replaced by confusion. We beat them. And they werent even behind it, she quickly thought. But she nodded her head at Nicks request and slowly turned around. Follow me, she instructed while leading him inside. Nick closed the door behind him as he entered Bettys house. The two teenagers were halfway across the living room when Bettys mother strolled out of the kitchen. Who was it?

she happily asked. As soon as shed caught sight of Nick, she froze in place. Nick stared up at her as a wide smile overtook Mrs. Quinlans face. Nicholas! she happily chirped. Its so good to see you again! She stared at Betty eagerly. Betty felt more blood flowing to her cheeks. If Nick had one talent, it had to be getting any adult to love him. Her mother had been devastated when they had ended their brief relationship. Having had scarcely a moment to ponder Nicks news, Bettys mind focused on the more believable issue at hand. She looked apologetically at Nick, who stared flatly at her mother. Good to see you too, he awkwardly shot back. Mrs. Quinlans eyes shuffled back and forth between her daughter and Nick. Her smile tentatively grew. Are you twoyou knowgoing steady again? Oh god, Betty moaned while wiping a hand down her face. Nicks eyes narrowed. This wasnt what hed been expecting when hed come to recruit Betty. No, Mom, Betty moaned. She sighed and met her mothers now sorrowful gaze. Were still just friends. Oh, Mrs. Quinlan uttered. She stared at Nick sadly for another moment before her eyes sparkled as she remembered her maternal duties. Well, Im sorry Nick, but Betty has homework to do. You can come back when shes done. Nick could see that things were going nowhere fast. He took a moment to prepare himself before forcing a grin on his face. Thats why Im here, Mrs. Q, he offered. His voice was a mixture of carefree joy and the flat tone he had used with Betty. Betty and I were really having a hard time in math today, so we thought we might work on our homework together. Each word became more believable, until Betty herself almost forgot why Nick was truly in her living room. Mrs. Quinlan slowly smiled once more. Well, I suppose that would be alright. Do you want anything to eat, Nicholas? No thanks, he easily shot back. Im still full from lunch. He took a few steps towards the staircase, and Betty followed suit. It was really great to see you again. Just keep the door open! Bettys mother happily shouted while turning back into the kitchen.

Betty struggled to keep pace as Nick rushed up the stairs. She following him into her own room, sent a glance over her shoulder to make sure her mother wasnt in sight, and closed the door behind her. Nicks faade disappeared as soon as the door had closed. Betty leaned back against the door as Nick stared at her. What do you mean theyre back? Confusion and concern filled her tone. Nick rested a hand on his forehead before sliding it back through his hair. He took a long breath before pacing back and forth. I went to Jimmys lab, he slowly began. After school today with his friends. When we got inside there was a Yolkian waiting for us. Nick locked his eyes with Bettys. So I shot it. Betty could barely understand what Nick was saying. She hesitated for a moment before shaking her head and pushing herself off of the door. What the hell are you talking about? she desperately asked. The admittedly minor swear still felt strange on her tongue. The Yolkians werent even behind the kidnapping! It was that Eustace kid. Nick slowly nodded. Yeah, but we still killed their king. They want revenge. It took a long moment for that knowledge to sink in. Betty had thought their battle was over. Yet as she considered Nicks words, she began to curse herself for her naivet. We killed Goobot, we killed the soldiers, we stole their ship. As the seconds ticked by, it became more and more obvious how the Yolkians would seek revenge. Nick took a step towards Betty. Her eyes slowly focused back on his. Theyre coming for us, Betty. Betty slowly nodded. Thisthis Yolkian. In the lab. She spoke slowly, forming her question along with her words. What, she hesitated once more and wiped her forehead, what was it? Ascout? An assassin? Nick slowly shook his head. It said it was here to help. The answer hardly assuaged her concern. What do you mean? Nick, what the hell is going on? Nick began pacing once more. We thought it was there to attack us, so I shot it. Disabled its shell. But it said it was here to warn us, Betty. Warn us that the Yolkians werent just coming for you and me and Jimmy and Cindy. Nick took an uneasy breath and stared desperately at his friend. Theyre coming for humanity. Theyre coming to destroy the planet. Betty had thought it hard to comprehend that her friends were in danger. This was something else entirely. Her eyes drifted to the math book on her bed. Ten minutes ago her

biggest concern was doing a half hours worth of homework. Now shed learned her entire planet was at risk. Butbut She stared at her bedroom door, thinking of her mother downstairs. Then her father on his way home. Then the billions of people outside of Retroville whod never even seen a Yolkian. Theyll all die. Betty felt her thoughts grow fuzzy as her legs weakened. She lowered herself onto the bed. Why? she desperately asked as Nick approached her. He could spot the blood draining form her face; his eyes were filling with concern. Nick, what happened? Her voice croaked, the desperation and fear cracking her tone. Nick took a seat beside her. He lifted his hand towards hers, hesitated for a second, and then grabbed it. Betty, the Yolkian explained it to us. Goobots been replaced with a new king. It wants us all dead for what we did on that ship. It wants to wipe out everyone. Betty slowly shook her head. But we didnt know it wasnt Goobot! she barely kept from shouting. And Goobot started it, Nick! He took our parents before; we couldnt have known! I know that, Nick snapped back. But the Yolkians havent exactly been friendly and understanding before, have they? Bettys head shook from side to side. She slowly met Nicks gaze, finally registered the touch of his hand on hers, and gently pulled away from his grasp. No. I guess they havent, she managed to utter while getting to her feet. Nick eyed her with concern. Betty, are you - So we do it again, Betty interrupted. She closed her eyes and thought back to the preparations theyd undergone a month prior. Gathering the towns children, building rockets, securing weapons. We need to start preparing. Now it was Nicks turn to rise off the bed. Not exactly, he sorrowfully countered. Itsits not going to be like before. Betty stopped pacing and face him. What do you mean? We had two weeks last time, Nick slowly answered. Betty nodded. This time we have, Nick bit his lip and broke away from Bettys stare, a day. Silence filled the room. A day? Betty was certain shed either misheard or misunderstood.

Nick nodded. Betty, the Yolkian in Jimmys lab was sent here to spy on our planet. Give the king advice on how to kill us all. Its going to help us instead. But its still due back on Yolkus, and it wasnt given much time. Betty shook her head. Nick, what exactly did this Yolkian say? Nick stepped towards her. It said he was sent to study our defences. This king didnt give it much time. Its due back on Yolkus in four days. And it takes three days to get there. Bettys mind was racing, struggling to comprehend Nicks words. So it has to leave in one day. Nick nodded. And so do we. It said that the Yolkian fleet will leave whether or not its back on time. So we have to get there first and stop that fleet from leaving. Betty was beginning to understand, but it still didnt make sense. Okay, so we have to leave tonight. She shook her head in disbelief. Just because she understood Nicks words didnt mean they made any sense. But we left our ships in space. Most of them were lost in the asteroid belt. Her mind was racing for a solution. So were taking Goobots ship? Nick was a little blind-sided by her question. Hed forgotten that they still had Goobots cruiser in orbit around Earth. He considered this before remembering what the Yolkian had said. No, he answered. This Yolkian said he wants to help us. Its going to sneak us onboard his shuttle and bring us into the Kings landing bay. We cant bring any other ships or the Yolkians would know somethings up. Well how big is his shuttle? Can we all fit in it? Betty desperately asked. Its small, Betty. Were not all going this time. Nick crossed his arms. Were bringing eight of us. Thats Jimmys group, me, Ike, and you. Boy and girl stared at each other for another long moment. Why me? Betty finally asked. Nick stepped towards her. His gaze slowly morphed into one of admiration. Because youre the best. What? Betty uttered, shocked by his bluntness. Nick hesitated before closing the gap between them. They stood two inches apart and locked eyes. You know it, Betty. You can fight, and youre the best pilot besides Jimmy and Cindy. Nick hesitated for a few seconds. Hell, you should have flown that third ship away from Little Boy instead of me.

Betty couldnt help but be touched by his words. So Jimmyhe asked for me to come? Nicks eyes stayed fixed on hers. You know it was me. Bettys lips curled upwards of their own accord. Her eyes flitted down to their hands, each hanging by their own sides. Her right hand seemed to twitch towards his, but she forced herself to yank it back. She bit her lower lip as she took a seat on the edge of her bed. Nick joined her once more. They sat in silence for a few seconds as Betty considered all that Nick had said. She ran through their conversation one more time, searching for any unanswered questions. Whyd you shoot it? she asked while turning to Nick. Nick didnt meet her gaze. I wasnt expecting it to help. I thought it was going to kill us. A nervous look suddenly overtook Bettys face. How did you shoot it? Nick turned away this time. He slowly reached behind his back and pulled up his shirt. Bettys eyes spotted the pistol as he pulled it out of his waistband and set it on the bed between them. Betty stared at the gun. She remembered him showing it to her on Little Boy after shed lost that game of capture the flag. Her mind replayed the memory. Her team had been forced to run laps around the field as punishment for losing. Nick had kept his eye on her and called her over just as shed started to gasp for breath. Hed gruffly told her shed needed more target practice, but shed spotted the glint of mischief in his eyes as he led her to the firing range. Its my dads, hed proudly explained while watching her clasp the pistol in her hands. An AR-24-15C. Hed recited the words with perfect clarity and no hesitation. Shed wondered how hed managed to remember that but fail his long division test. He stood behind her and grabbed her hands to adjust her aim. Dont lock your elbows, hed gently warned. Breathe steady. Pull the trigger slowly. Keep the left eye closed. She blinked, and the memory vanished. She stared at the gun beside her and then at Nicks ashamed face. Whyd you have it? she whispered. Nick took a deep breath and faced her once more. The two friends locked eyes. Because I knew Id need it.

More silence. Then the words slipped out. Ive missed you. Damn it, Betty cursed herself as soon as shed spoken. She felt the blood rushing to her face, but it halted in its tracks when Nick answered. Me too. Nicks words were barely a whisper; Betty was scarcely sure hed even spoken. Nick sighed again and then offered a small smile. Betty returned it, but then remembered the reason Nick was sitting beside her. So its just the eight of us. A twinge of worry laced her words. Eight of us against, what? All of them? Nick stood up yet again and walked to the window. Betty glanced at the gun as she waited for him to speak and slowly grabbed it. Her hand wobbled slightly. Shed forgotten how much heavier it was than the other guns they had used last month. Nick leaned forward and rested his arms across the windowsill. He looked at the enormous tree separating Bettys house from the one next door. He spotted a robin staring back at him, a tiny red face peeking out from the myriad of changing leaves. It wont be easy, he answered while staring at the bird. The Yolkian is going to sneak us in; bring us when there are the least guards. Itll land us close to the kings chamber. Nick spun around and looked at Betty. Thats what we need to do. Kill the king. The Yolkian says if we can do that and make some sort of threat, we might save Earth. Betty raised an eyebrow. A threat? Nick nodded. If we kill this king, another will just take its place. And the fleet will still attack Earth. The Yolkian says the only way we can stop all this is if we use some device in the kings chambers to talk to all of Yolkus. It says that if we make a threat to the entire planet, we might be able to scare them into leaving us alone. Betty considered his words and slowly nodded. I guess its a good as plan as any. But well need to fight our way to the king. And its just eight of us? Nick shrugged. Nine if you count the Yolkian. Why does it want to help us, anyway? Betty asked while resting the pistol back on the bed. Nick huffed and rolled his eyes. Im not the one to ask, Betty. He rubbed his forehead once more and sighed. It says its different; that it wants to help us. Betty got up and took a step towards her friend. You dont believe it, do you? Nicks face was blank. Not really.

Then why are you helping? Nick bit his lip hard and turned around. He stared back out the window and searched for the robbin. It was gone. He settled on watching a pair of leaves fall to the ground. Jimmy and the rest trust it, he answered. They said they wouldnt do this if I didnt agree. He hesitated and weighed his words. I dont trust it. But I trust them. Betty was about to speak, but Nick kept going. Jimmy needs us. He turned around and stared hard at Betty. Hes always been there for us. Betty nodded. She remembered how selflessly he had offered to be on the suicide team, how he had begged Nick not to risk everyones lives saving him if he was captured by the Yolkians. Yeah, he has. So we owe it to help him, Nick finished. Hesa good friend. He is, Betty agreed. She took a deep breath, glanced back at the pistol on her bed, and then turned to Nick. Im in. Nick offered a tiny grin. Suddenly, he heard a rustle in the tree behind him. He spun around, glanced out the window, and swore he could see a wave of black hair disappear into the leaves. He leaned his head closer and strained his eyes. Nick? Betty curiously asked. Nick hesitated for a second before shaking his head and facing her once more. He hesitated, and his face became serious once more. Youre sure youre in? It wont be easy. Betty nodded. Sounds like you need me. I am the best, right? she offered with the hint of a devilish grin. Nick nodded and managed a smile back. Yeah, you are. He strolled over to the bed and picked up his pistol. He stared at it for a long moment before sliding it back into his waistband. Were meeting in front of his lab at midnight, Nick explained. Ive got to go tell Ike and see if hes with us. Bettys face fell. I thought we had a whole day. We cant risk taking more time, Nick answered. We need to make sure we kill the king before the fleet sets off. And we need to gather supplies. Itll be harder to do that during the day. Betty slowly nodded. Okay, she quietly answered. Nick cast one last glance out her window before heading towards her bedroom door.

I guess I should say bye to your mom, he sadly whispered. Mom. That one word was enough to sink her heart. She felt pain ripple throughout her chest as her eyes deadened. Dad. Nick, she struggled to whisper. He turned around as she clenched her hands into fists. We just got them back. Nick understood. His right hand gently shook and reached behind his back for his gun. He stopped it just in time. I know, he weakly replied. They stared at each other for a long moment, each lost in their own world of sorrow. Nick finally sighed and shook his head with a hint of sorrowful amusement. Remember the first time? Betty slowly nodded and closed her eyes. She remembered the parties and celebrations the kids had shared when discovering their parents were gone. Now the thought of leaving them behind sickened her. What do we tell them? She chuckled miserably. Can we even tell them? Nick ran his twitching hand through his hair. I dont know, he admitted. Ill call after I get Ike. Hell figure it out.