“Before we get to testing anyone, we need to discuss the dangers. Even if Libby thinks we are pretty safe here and I mostly agree. This isn’t your realm we will be doing this in. I think we need to consult with Excalibur before we fully go through with this,” Andrew said.

“I mean I’m down for a trip to Titan and see how Dad’s handling it. Libby, wanna meet a frog? Andrew can’t come, so I gotta at least take you,” Cal asked the robot librarian.

“I would very much enjoy a less chaotic trip outside of the void house. Will it just be the two of us?” Libby asked.

“Possibly. Why don’t you get whatever you need for discussing this with Excalibur and I’m going to go find Bug and Emily. The Frog might be a bit of a dick, but he may have a way to help Bug’s new friend a bit,” Cal said. The thought had been there for a little while, but he didn’t want to send Emily without Bug, and when his father had left, Bug had been busy. Since this would likely be only a short visit, it was probably the best time to bring them along.

“Ah, alright, I will hopefully see all three of you shortly,” Libby replied.

“Andrew, make sure Libby has every piece of info they may need. I know Excalibur has a ton, but I want every single thing covered. We don’t need Ethel murdering us the second she’s saved,” Cal said as he left the room without waiting for a reply and quickly made his way back to where he had left his sister.

“Caaaaaaal!” Bug yelled the moment she spotted her brother wandering back into the field.

“Hey girl, I was just here. Why the excitement,” He asked, as he reached out to catch the dog, now in a run towards him.

“Sorry, got excited. Sarah was telling us stories of the squirrels in her backyard, but now that you mention it, why are you back so soon?” Bug asked.

“Actually, it’s for you and Emily. I was hoping you’d want to join Libby and I on a trip to visit Dad. Glurm might have some ideas on how to best help Emily. He’s been around a lot longer than we have, even with the time loops,” Cal said.

“Oh, good idea. I’m sure they will want to! Emily, we’re going to a different planet! Do you want to come?!” Bug yelled out, only for Emily to come, running a grin on all of their faces.

“Really, space?” All three voices said at the same time.

“Yep, with a weird frog guy, and my dad’s there,” Bug answered, her tail wagging.

“That sounds fun,” all three heads said again.

“Perfect. Hey Sarah, I’m taking Bug and Emily on a field trip, are you going to be okay while we’re gone?” Cal yelled to the substitute teacher.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

“I should be. Twonger has been wonderful with the kids,” she called back. He knew she was telling the truth and had seen it himself. The fact that that man had once killed him so many times almost seemed forgiven with what he was now contributing, and considering the death of his brother, maybe it was time for a heart-to-heart and burying the hatcher.

“What planet are we going to?” Emily asked as they walked the corridors of the void house towards the waiting Libby.

“Oh, it’s not actually a planet. It’s a moon, Titan,” Cal answered as he spotted Libby ahead.

“The difference between a planet and a moon is not really that significant when you consider it,” Libby said as they approached.

“Really, why not?” Emily asked.

“It really just comes down to a matter of size, if the moon were bigger than the planet it orbited, we would call it the planet and the planet its moon,” Libby answered.

“I like you. You’re a funny robot,” Emily said, all three faces smiling brightly.

“Alright, let’s get going Glurm is never happy to see us, so we may as well see how bad it is this time,” Cal said, expecting the frog to be less enthused than usual. He watched the other three go through the gateway before stepping through after them.

“Dad!” was the first thing Cal heard when he showed up on the other side. He quickly spotted why he had heard it as he watched Bug leap up at their father and be caught in mid-air by the huge man.

“Hey girl, what brings you all here?” Stan asked loudly, everyone easily able to hear the question.

“Two things, Libby and I need to have a conversation with Excalibur. Bug, I want you to take Emily to Glurm. I’ll meet you there shortly, but why don’t you introduce them and see what he has to say about their condition,” Cal answered. He didn’t want Bug in on the possible plan just yet, as getting the children’s hopes up without any proof wasn’t something he remotely wanted.

Once she was out of sight, and the yells of an angry frog could briefly be heard in the distance, Stan turned back to his son. “So what is it you really want?” he asked.

“Andrew and Libby have an idea, and we need Excalibur’s input on the idea,” Cal answered.

“Interesting, and what idea is that?” Excalibur asked this time.

“We believe that it is possible to use Ethel’s realm and the sheer number of the children’s mana spirits to make them all loop-aware at the same time. With how Ethel has the realm functioning and slow awareness the animals get after many loops, it seems logical we can apply that to the children, safely channeled through their bonded spirits,” Libby explained. Stan’s eyes went wide, and Cal knew the man was questioning the idea.

“Hmm, yes, that is actually a brilliant idea. Ethel’s design on her realm is quite impressive, honestly, and to have done it as a total novice is something else, but yes I fully believe it would be possible. I assume Andrew has the math already worked out?” Excalibur asked.

“He does. Would you be willing to double-check it all?” Libby asked, producing several journals.

“Absolutely,” Excalibur said.

“Perfect, well I’m going to go catch up with Bug while you two hash out the exact details. Dad, try to keep up with them. There will be a test afterward,” Cal said, smiling at his father.