Chapter One: The Planet Kosmos
The Village of Pommus
In the boundless stretch of the universe, where countless galaxies dwell like ancient lanterns scattered through the void, there exists—deep within an unknown spiral system—a remarkably beautiful blue planet. Though small in cosmic scale, this planet is utterly unique, for it cradles within it an astonishing diversity of life: both biological and mechanical. It is the world of Kosmos, the home of a boy named Fodo Copernicus.
Near Kosmos, a single star shines—its inhabitants call it Solaris. Its light fuels the world, sustaining both living beings and intelligent machines. Strangely, no other planets orbit nearby. Kosmos circles Solaris alone, like a solitary dancer in an endless celestial waltz.
At dawn, the warm light of Solaris trickled through the mountain crests and fell gently into a valley called Derwent. Nestled between two towering mountains, Derwent is a natural gorge with flat terrain and a river so clear it seems made of glass. To the west of the river stand dozens of small wooden houses, their roofs tiled in red brick. Northeast of the cottages, two rows of massive oak trees stretch outward—their intertwined branches form a living archway. Beside this natural gate stands a wooden sign carved with three characters: Pommus.
“Mom, I finished breakfast! I tidied up the table too. Potter and I are going out to play!” called a bright, cheerful voice from one of the cabins.
“Fodo, wait! Don’t forget your lunch—and don’t come home too late,” replied a gentle voice.
“I know, Mom! I’ll be back before Solaris dips behind the hills,” said Fodo.
From the cabin burst a boy with deep brown skin and short, curly blue hair. Chasing behind him was a small green monkey. The boy was around twelve, stood about 140 centimeters tall, with large emerald eyes that seemed to shimmer in the morning light. He wore a pale beige tunic and knee-length brown shorts. Though slim, his body was wiry and strong with a quiet resilience.
“Hurry, Potter! Let’s go to the secret base!” Fodo shouted as he ran. Potter nodded and followed.
The two sprinted toward the village exit. Along the path, every house was framed by a burst of colorful flowers—pinks, blues, yellows, and purples—painting the village with a gentle charm. The air carried the scent of blossoms and fresh grass.
Suddenly, they spotted Mr. Russell ahead, hunched over his flying elephant, Vitte. Something appeared to be wrong with its ear.
“Good morning, Mr. Russell! Good morning, Vitte!” Fodo called out.
“Good morning, Fodo,” Mr. Russell replied, glancing up with his wrinkled face before returning to examine Vitte’s ear.
“What happened, Mr. Russell? Is Vitte hurt?” Fodo asked.
Before Mr. Russell could answer, Vitte piped up, “Fodo, my left ear isn’t flapping properly this morning. I couldn’t fly to help Mr. Russell pick apples. He’s checking it now.”
Mr. Russell removed his glasses and sighed. “Getting old… my eyes don’t work like they used to.”
“Let me try, Mr. Russell. I’m pretty good at fixing machines,” Fodo offered confidently.
He gently lifted Vitte’s left ear, peeling back the synthetic skin to reveal a complex network of delicate metal wires.
“Potter, can you pull up the FET-1 circuit diagram?” Fodo asked.
“Sure thing!” Potter’s eyes rotated like lenses, and a small panel on his chest slid open, revealing a display screen. The diagram of the FET-1 circuit appeared.
Fodo studied it for a moment, then selected a slim, golden tweezer from Mr. Russell’s toolbox. With precise fingers, he grasped a broken wire. From the tip of the tweezer oozed a glowing golden fluid. Carefully, Fodo touched the wire to a contact point on the circuit board. The liquid bonded instantly, fusing the wire back into place.
Vitte’s ear twitched—then began to flap smoothly again.
“It’s working! My ear works again! Thank you, Fodo!” Vitte cried joyfully, flapping his massive ears and lifting into the air, spinning gleefully.
Mr. Russell gave Fodo a warm, grateful smile. “Thank you,” he said simply.
“No problem, Vitte. If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going,” Fodo said.
“Come on, Potter,” he added, waving goodbye.
Vitte lifted higher, twirling in the air with delight, his long trunk waving farewell.
The Secret Base
Fodo and Potter kept running toward the outskirts of Pommus. As they reached the forest entrance, Fodo turned to Potter and grinned. “Let’s race to the secret base. First one there wins!”
“No problem!” said Potter. “This time, I’ll beat you for sure.”
“One, two, three—go!” they shouted in unison.
Fodo dashed forward, weaving through the oak trees. Potter quickly climbed up and began leaping from branch to branch like a green flash. He passed through the woods first, with Fodo close behind. Together, they continued north, deeper into the great forest beyond Pommus.
The forest was vast, filled with towering redwoods, some several centuries old. But even deeper inside stood sacred trees—giants over a thousand years old. The air turned cool and ancient as they ventured in.
Fodo spotted Potter ahead, leaping through the branches. Their secret base was just beyond. With a final burst of speed, Fodo bounded forward. Suddenly, Potter leapt from a tree, and Fodo lunged to catch him. They both tumbled onto the soft grass, their laughter echoing through the trees.
“We tied!” Fodo laughed. Potter nodded with a grin.
Before them lay a strange and magical sight—a perfect natural clearing ringed by thirteen colossal sacred trees. At the center stood one immense tree, far larger than the rest. It would take thirteen adults holding hands to encircle it. It towered like a green skyscraper, its peak cracked open, a split running halfway down its trunk. This, to them, was no ordinary tree. It was their secret base.
About three meters up, a large hollow opened in the trunk. They climbed up with practiced ease. Noon sunlight slanted through the trees. Fodo moved aside a few branches, revealing a large mirror they had crafted. He adjusted it, directing the light of Solaris into the hollow.
Instantly, the space lit up. Inside were a table, a few chairs, and a shelf lined with books. Fodo set down their lunch while Potter leapt into a hammock made of vines—handcrafted by Fodo.
“Potter, do you know what day it is today?” Fodo asked.
“Of course. It’s the fifth anniversary of the day we found our base,” said Potter, swinging gently.
Fodo smiled. “I remember. Five years ago, it rained hard. That night, we saw a lightning bolt strike this forest. You hid under the blanket, and I noticed a strange glow through the window. The next day, we came here… and found this cracked tree.”
“Do you think lightning split it?” Potter asked.
“Maybe,” Fodo replied. “But when I first saw it, I felt… like it was calling to us.”
Potter laughed. “Well, it is familiar—it’s our ship after all. The Copernicus Starcruiser!”
Fodo grinned. That was the name they had given it.
He walked over to the bookshelf. It was filled with books on astronomy, physics, and mathematics. He pulled out his favorite: Three Hundred Days of Cosmic Exploration.
“Potter, I really want to go into space someday. I want to see beautiful nebulas, exploding supernovae, and maybe even a black hole. Do you think time really slows down near one?”
“That’s what the books say,” Potter said, hopping down from the hammock. “But if you go on an adventure, you have to take me with you!”
Fodo nodded. “Of course. Ever since my third birthday, when Dad brought you home and gave you to me, we’ve never been apart. You’re my best friend.”
He then pulled out two wooden captain hats they’d made. Handing one to Potter, Fodo said, “First Officer Potter, the Copernicus Starcruiser is ready for launch. Let’s head to the cockpit.”
“Aye aye, Captain Fodo!”
They took their seats and imagined a vast galaxy before them.
“Turn forty-five degrees to starboard. Look—there’s a giant nebula that looks like a crab!” Fodo pointed with a stick.
“It’s glowing blue, green, and red! Beautiful!” said Potter.
“It’s chasing us—full speed ahead!”
While they laughed and played among the stars, far away in the heart of Pommus, something important was happening.
In an ancient stone building—the only school in the village, known as the Seshat Academy—Fodo’s father, Professor Carl Copernicus, was at work. He was a tall but slender man in his fifties, known for his sharp mind and serious demeanor. Though polite and kind, he rarely showed emotion. He was a master of math and physics, as well as computing and robotics. To Fodo, there was nothing his father couldn’t fix or understand.
When Fodo turned three, Carl built him a mechanical monkey with artificial intelligence—MONKEY 1.0—whom Fodo named Potter. Carl had installed his custom processor, the SIA 5.0, into Potter’s brain and programmed him with scientific and mathematical knowledge. With the help of Professor Agri, they developed a Neural Learning Reinforcement System, giving Potter the ability to learn on his own and even express human-like emotions.
Agri also added a self-preservation module to Potter’s code. If danger appeared, Potter’s first instinct would be to avoid it and stay safe. This cautious behavior often led others to think Potter was a timid little monkey.
Schwarz Black Hole
Professor Copernicus sat at his lab desk, deep in calculation. His mind was consumed by the concept of wormholes—mysterious tunnels through the fabric of space-time. Wormholes, in theory, could connect any two points across time and space. To travel through one might mean venturing into the future, returning to the past, or leaping across galaxies in an instant.
Books towered across his desk, and behind him, a vast blackboard stood filled with intricate mathematical formulas. Beyond the wide window before him, the twin snow-capped peaks surrounding Pommus loomed silently. Beneath the window, a silver table suddenly emitted a soft tone.
“Incoming call: Eureka,” it announced.
Carl removed his glasses and lifted his head. “Accept.”
The window darkened instantly, and the desk opened to reveal a glowing screen. Above the display, a projection flickered to life—a kindly elderly woman with a serene smile.
“It’s been a while, Carl,” she said warmly.
“Yes, Eureka. It must have been five years. What brings you here all of a sudden?” Carl replied, a flicker of unease in his eyes.
“The time may be near. You need to be ready,” Eureka said calmly.
Carl suddenly stood, visibly shaken. “How can you be certain? Have you found the missing page?”
“Yes, Carl,” Eureka replied.
Carl leaned forward, tense. “What did it say?”
“Two days from now is Fodo’s twelfth birthday. Professor Agri will be attending the banquet. He’ll explain everything to you then.”
Eureka’s tone remained composed. “Does Fodo know?”
Carl shook his head. “Not yet. I can’t bring myself to tell him.” He collapsed back into his chair, lost in thought.
“There’s another matter,” Eureka added. “Have you found a way to stabilize Negget?”
Carl shook his head again. “Not yet. It’s still unstable.”
Eureka’s face grew more serious. “Based on our latest calculations and gravitational wave data, another black hole is approaching the Schwarz black hole. They’ll likely merge within a month. We must monitor this closely and find a way to control Negget as soon as possible.”
With that, the projection vanished.
Carl sat in silence, the sounds of students laughing and playing outside drifting faintly through the window. His mind wandered to memories of Fodo—the day he was born, crying in Carl’s arms; his first word; his eager expression during their first science experiment together. Tears slipped down Carl’s cheeks. He wiped them away, rose, and entered a second room.
The chamber was unlike any other. Above, a vast, curved black screen projected a map of stars and galaxies. Each celestial body was marked with three glowing numbers.
Carl looked up. “Dao-yi（道一）, display data on the Schwarz black hole.”
The screen zoomed in. A single black hole in the lower right corner enlarged and shifted to the center. Data scrolled beside it.
He turned to a red mechanical orangutan sitting on the floor. “Wuwei （無為）, fetch The Making of Negget from the shelf, and my notebook from the desk.”
Wuwei brought them over. “Professor, have you solved the Negget problem?”
“Not yet,” Carl replied. “But I’m close. Very close.”
“Will Fodo really leave this place? If he does, can I go with him to protect him?” Wuwei asked.
Carl held back tears and placed a hand on Wuwei’s shoulder. “I believe we’ll find a way. Don’t worry.”
Carl resumed his calculations, filling pages of his notebook. When he finished, he closed the notebook and pressed a circular button in its corner. A small black cube rose from its center.
He took the cube and approached a cabinet at the back of the room. “Lapoti,” he said.
The cabinet slid aside, revealing a hidden wall with a round opening. From within, Carl retrieved a pure white sphere, about the size of a tennis ball. He placed the black cube onto it. The cube slowly fused into the sphere, becoming a black square on its surface.
Outside, Solaris was beginning to set. Carl packed the sphere into a pouch, gathered his files, and prepared to head home.
By now, Fodo and Potter had already returned. Fodo helped his mother prepare dinner, while Potter sat in the study, reading.
Fodo’s mother, Isis, was a gentle woman with long black hair and warm brown skin. She was passionate about history and spoke many languages. Her study on the first floor was filled with bookshelves, packed with tomes on history and philosophy. During the day, she worked on novels and children’s stories. On weekends, she invited the village children to listen to her tales.
Dinner time approached, and the table was soon laden with dishes. Fodo lit the candles, just as someone knocked at the door.
“That must be Dad—he probably forgot his keys again,” Fodo called.
He opened the door to find not his father, but an elderly man in a blue coat and a dark gray hat. The man was short, slightly plump, and looked about eighty.
“Grandpa Agri!” Fodo cried, rushing forward to hug him.
Agri bent down to return the hug. “It’s been too long, Fodo.”
“Come in! I’ll take your coat and hat,” Fodo said, then added, “You’re just in time for dinner. I’ll set an extra place.”
At the sound of Agri’s name, Porter closed his book and ran out excitedly. Agri smiled. “Potter, you look well.”
Potter nodded enthusiastically.
Isis emerged from the kitchen, smiling warmly. “Agri, what a surprise. Aren’t you usually with Eureka? What brings you here today?”
“I couldn’t miss Fodo’s twelfth birthday. I brought him a very special gift,” Agri said with a wink.
The door opened again. Carl entered and looked surprised to see Agri. “I thought you’d arrive the day after tomorrow.”
“I came early to catch up—and to see this wonderful boy again,” Agri said.
“Let’s eat before the food gets cold,” Isis urged.
They gathered around the table and shared a hearty meal. Afterward, Fodo and Potter went up to the rooftop to stargaze. Carl and Agri sat in the study, where Isis brought them a pot of tea.
Agri breathed in the aroma. “Ah, I’ve missed this. Your tea is always the best, Isis.”
“You can stay for a few days. I’ve prepared your room,” she said with a smile.
Agri nodded gratefully.
Just then, Carl stood and walked to a bookshelf. He opened a lower drawer and retrieved something wrapped in deep blue velvet. With great care, he unwrapped it to reveal an old, yellowed book.
On its worn cover was the image of a winged lion with eagle-like wings. At the center of the cover was a strange symbol:
𓎬
Isis looked uneasy. “Carl, why are you bringing out that book?”
Carl remained silent. With great care, he opened the first page—as if even a breath too strong might cause it to tear. A faded illustration of a curly-haired boy lay within, but the boy’s face had blurred with time. Only one detail was still clear: a leaf-shaped mark on the boy’s left forearm. Curiously, the lower portion of the page had been torn off.
Agri spoke gently. “Carl… you haven’t told Isis yet?”
Carl shook his head and set the book down on the desk in front of Agri.
“Agri, tell me. What’s going on?” Isis asked, her voice tinged with rising panic.
Agri took a sip of tea, then pulled a notebook from his coat pocket. Inside it was a single yellowed sheet. Carefully, he placed it beside the first page of the book and smiled. “It fits perfectly.”
Isis gasped. The missing piece revealed a drawing of a small monkey standing beside a planet. Beneath the planet were two characters—ancient symbols meaning “Earth.”
Agri continued, “I found this lost page last month at the home of a distant relative of yours, Isis.”
A wave of dizziness swept over her, though she tried to remain composed. “Agri… are you certain the boy in the book is Fodo?”
“I wasn’t sure before. Without this page, I could only guess. But now… I’m ninety percent certain. The monkey in the illustration—that’s Potter.”
He paused to sip his tea again. “This tea is lovely, as always. Isis, this book has been passed down in your family for generations. What’s strange is that everything it describes doesn’t happen on Kosmos. Some of the text isn’t even written in any known language from our planet. Remember when you first brought it to Eureka and me, hoping we could help decipher it? That’s how you met Carl, who was researching with me at the time.”
Isis nodded, eyes brimming with tears. “I remember. You said it was a story about a boy on an alien world. I never imagined that boy would be our son.”
Agri sighed. “When you saw the leaf-shaped birthmark on Fodo’s arm… I’m sure part of you knew.”
Isis steadied her voice. She pointed to the planet on the page. “Agri, have you located this world?”
He nodded. “The book is badly damaged, but from the intact parts, Eureka and I believe the planet lies in a galaxy about 2.5 million light-years from here. It’s remarkably similar to Kosmos.”
Another sip of tea. “We’ve also determined that intelligent life exists there—and some of those beings resemble the species here on Kosmos.”
“Do you know when Fodo is supposed to leave?” Isis asked, her voice tight.
Agri pointed to faint writing on the old paper. “The text is faded, but you can still make out the number twelve.”
Isis collapsed into Carl’s arms. “That’s this year.”
Agri looked between them. “I’ve known Fodo since he was a baby. He’s always been extraordinary. You’ve raised him well. His passion for science is truly remarkable.”
Carl gently stroked Isis’ hair, too stunned to speak.
After dinner, Fodo and Potter stayed on the rooftop to stargaze. The night sky over Pommus glittered with stars—dazzling, infinite, alive. They loved mapping constellations and tracking celestial motion. On the rooftop stood a telescope they had built together.
Fodo peered through the scope. “See that star to the northeast? It’s not a star—it’s an elliptical galaxy.”
“I know. I saw it last night,” Potter said proudly.
Fodo turned the scope northward, toward a dark patch of sky. “You see that spot? I think there’s a black hole there.”
Potter looked skeptical. “But nothing escapes a black hole—not even light. How can you see it?”
Fodo grinned. “I’ve been watching this area for five years.” He pulled a notebook from his pocket. “I tracked four stars near that region. They’re orbiting something invisible. That means something massive is pulling them. I think it’s a black hole.”
He handed the notebook to Potter. “Here—I recorded all their movements over the past five years.”
Potter read it carefully. Fodo looked up at the stars again. “I want to go there. Who knows what we might find?”
Potter lifted his head. “You’re not going without me.”
Suddenly, Isis called from below. “Fodo, time for bed!” Her voice was calm—she didn’t want her son to see the sorrow in her heart.
Fodo and Potter hurried back inside and climbed into bed. Isis entered quietly and smiled.
“Your birthday is in two days. I’ll bake you the most delicious cake,” she said.
Fodo nodded happily.
“Alright, you two. Time to sleep.” She kissed them both on the forehead.
Fodo drifted into dreams. Potter entered sleep mode beside him.
Fodo’s Birthday Banquet
Today was Fodo’s twelfth birthday. From early morning, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of sweet and savory dishes—Isis was busy preparing the cake and a birthday feast. In the study, Carl sat at his desk, where the pure white sphere he had brought from the lab lay waiting.
From the bookshelf, Carl retrieved three books: “Galactic Coordinates and Black Holes,” “The Nature of Space-Time and Negget,” and “Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing.” From within each, he extracted a colored cube—blue, red, and green—and inserted them into the white sphere. Now, four colored blocks glowed faintly across the surface.
After enjoying the breakfast Isis had prepared, Professor Agri settled into the living room sofa. He slipped on a pair of glasses from his coat pocket. From the frame, a thin metallic thread extended and inserted into a tiny port behind his ear. A virtual screen appeared before his eyes. With a thought, Agri navigated data projected before him.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Agri, long time no see!” It was Mr. Russell and his flying elephant, Vitte.
“Russell! It’s been ages,” Agri said warmly, embracing his old friend and giving Vitte’s head a fond pat.
“You’re here for Fodo’s birthday party, I presume?”
“Of course. I even brought him a special gift,” Russell replied with a smile.
From the backyard came Potter’s delighted voice. “Wow, you jumped so high!”
Fodo measured, “Over five meters!”
“Fodo, Potter, come in! The party’s starting!” Isis called.
Potter quickly kicked off his jump shoes, and the two rushed inside.
“Mom, the jump shoes I made can go over five meters—and they land super smoothly too!” Fodo beamed.
“That’s wonderful, dear. Now wash your hands—everyone’s waiting at the table,” Isis replied.
The Copernicus family kept celebrations simple and sincere. A few close friends gathered to share a meal. Each guest brought kind words for the birthday boy, followed by Fodo’s own speech to close the gathering.
As the group enjoyed cake, Carl glanced at his watch. It was 2:00 p.m. He stood, gently tapped his spoon against a glass, and the room quieted.
“Time for birthday wishes. Mr. Russell, would you begin?”
Russell stood and handed Fodo a small purple pouch. “Fodo, I’ve always admired your generous heart. You never hesitate to help someone in need. Inside this pouch are tools I personally selected from my own set. I trust you’ll put them to good use.”
Fodo accepted the gift shyly. “Thank you, Mr. Russell.”
Next was Professor Agri. He pulled from his satchel a long, black wooden staff tipped with a clear crystal orb.
“Fodo, I admire your courageous spirit. You’re always curious—always chasing the unknown. This staff is named Atlas. I made it in my youth, and it has been with me ever since. Today, I give it to someone more suited to carry it forward.”
Fodo accepted Atlas reverently. “Thank you, Grandpa Agri.”
Isis approached next. From her pocket, she drew a golden pocket watch. Her voice was gentle, tinged with emotion.
“My dear child, this watch is for you. Inside are photos of your father and me. If one day you ever lose your way, may this guide you back home.”
Fodo noticed her sadness and responded quickly. “Don’t worry, Mom. I have a great sense of direction—I won’t get lost.”
Carl was last. He presented the small white sphere.
“This sphere is my gift to you. It contains vast amounts of knowledge. If you ever face a problem you can’t solve, ask it. It may help you find the answer.”
Fodo marveled at the glowing orb. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Dad.”
Finally, Fodo stood and faced the room, smiling.
“Today is the happiest day of my life. My father has taught me science, and my mother has filled my world with stories. My greatest dream is to travel to space with Potter. And when we return, I want to write books about our adventures and share them with the people of our village.”
Agri and Russell nodded in silent pride. Carl quietly squeezed Isis’ hand.
Departure from Kosmos
The birthday celebration gradually came to an end. Mr. Russell and Vitte were the first to take their leave—it was already 3:30 p.m.
“Mom, Potter and I are heading out to test the jump shoes,” Fodo said as he packed his gifts into his backpack.
“Alright. Be home before six,” Isis reminded him.
Fodo nodded, slung the bag over his shoulder, and left the house with Potter at his side.
“Let’s test them at the secret base,” Fodo suggested.
“Sounds good!” Potter chirped.
They arrived at the tree hollow. Fodo pulled out the jump shoes. “Potter, I’m giving these to you—today marks the ninth year since we met.”
Potter cheered and slipped them on. The shoes didn’t just boost height—they could control direction, adjust angle mid-air, and cushion landings with miniature thrusters. Potter leapt around the hollow with joy.
“Wahoo! This is amazing!” he shouted, flipping through the air.
The tree hollow was nearly five stories tall. As Potter bounced higher, he spotted a small platform near the top. He landed, then jumped again, reaching it.
Beyond the platform was a tiny room—empty, save for a single yellow button on the wall.
Meanwhile, Fodo sat examining his birthday gifts when—
Click. Potter pressed the button.
Suddenly, the entire tree shuddered.
“Potter! Where are you? Get down, quick!” Fodo shouted, grabbing his things.
Potter scrambled down, just as deep cracks spread down the trunk. “The tree’s splitting—we’ve got to get out!” Fodo yelled.
They sprinted into the clearing as the massive sacred tree groaned and split apart. One enormous section of the trunk collapsed toward them.
Fodo pulled Potter close, but Potter activated the jump shoes just in time and dodged sideways. “That was close,” Fodo gasped.
Then he looked up—and his eyes widened.
“Potter… look!”
Where the tree once stood, a spaceship now towered. It stood upright, its nose pointing north. It matched the height and width of the tree, as if it had been hidden inside all along.
They approached slowly.
“I think… this ship was encased inside the tree,” Fodo murmured.
Potter whispered, “Could it be because I pressed that yellow button…?”
“What button?”
Potter explained everything.
Fodo’s eyes lit up. “So our secret base… was a spaceship all along!”
The sky was dimming.
“Let’s just find the entrance, then we’ll head back,” Fodo said.
They scanned the hull. Suddenly, a green light swept over them. As it hit the leaf-shaped birthmark on Fodo’s arm, a beep sounded. Lights across the ship flickered on. A section of the hull parted, revealing a glowing corridor.
“Let’s check it out,” Fodo whispered. Potter, nervous but intrigued, followed.
As soon as they stepped inside, the door sealed behind them. The corridor was white, radiant.
Then, a girl’s voice echoed: “Are you Fodo and Potter?”
“Yes,” Fodo replied, startled. “Who are you?”
“I am Agres,” said the voice, warm and calm. “I am the AI that controls this starship. I will guide you on an interstellar adventure.”
“The ship launches in twenty minutes.”
“But we need to go home,” Potter said anxiously.
“I’m sorry,” Agres replied. “The launch sequence cannot be aborted.”
Fodo took a deep breath. “Don’t worry, Potter. This is our chance. When we come back, we’ll tell Mom and Dad everything.”
Agres guided them to the cockpit.
“Countdown: one minute. Please take your seats.”
“10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… liftoff.”
Jets of gas burst from the engines. The ship roared as it lifted into the sky.
Elsewhere, Carl and Isis were driving through the woods, frantically searching. It was getting late—and Fodo hadn’t returned.
A booming sound echoed across the forest. They looked up to see smoke rising to the north.
Carl slammed a red button on the dashboard. Wings extended from the car’s roof, and white propulsion gas burst from the vents.
The vehicle took flight, racing toward the secret base.
They arrived just in time to see the spaceship rising. Carl veered toward the cockpit, but the air currents were wild.
Through the cockpit glass, they saw Fodo and Potter. The boys waved desperately.
Carl and Isis smiled through tears, waving back.
“Goodbye, our beloved Fodo and Potter,” Isis whispered.
Back at the house, Professor Agri stood silently at the door, watching the ship disappear into the sky. He stepped inside, and his glasses buzzed. Putting them on, he saw a projection of Eureka.
“Eureka… did you launch the ship?” he asked.
“No,” she said calmly. “I planned to launch only after we’d solved the Negget issue. But it activated on its own.”
“Is everything onboard?” Agri asked.
“Yes—food, clothes… and yes, Negget too.”
“What about Agres?”
“She was uploaded five years ago, during a thunderstorm. The lightning was the final trigger.”
Agri exhaled. “All we can do now is pray they return safely.”
The starship soared beyond Cosmos’s atmosphere, into the vastness of space.
Fodo and Potter’s incredible journey had begun.
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