Caitlyn laid on the bed in her temporary bedroom, writing in a notebook being used as a journal for her unexpected time travel trip. She finished the day's entry and read back what she had written:
Well, day two of this strange adventure. Zenon let me borrow some of her clothes for my little space school tag along. The clothes are very tight fitting- very different from my skater inspired look. Some of it is pretty cool, though I made sure to add my personal touch with my red bandanna. School was interesting. They have this 3D holographic teacher. After lunch I skipped out on History class with good reason. I stopped by to see the Karrs at the lab, still hard at work trying to figure out how to send me back. I hope they figure it out soon, because I honestly don't want to be stuck here forever. After the visit I went back to the living quarters to watch digi-vision, which is basically TV. I was happy to find that MTV still exists, and so does TRL! Of course Carson Daly isn't the host anymore. Not that he really hosts it now, or shall I say then? Anyway, I watched this TRL. Number One was Zenon's favorite band Microbe with a song called "Nova Nights." We are flying down to Earth tomorrow to go to their concert. Zenon claims to be friends with the lead singer Proto Zoa, and says she can get us backstage. We'll just have to wait and see. I wouldn't doubt it, hearing about some of her adventures involving him. After Zenon got home from school, she brought me to the Alien Patrol lab to meet Orion, who is coming with to the concert. One guy traveling along with 5 girls, it should be interesting. Well, I should stop writing now. It's getting late and it's an early flight.
Peace Out!
~Caitlyn
Caitlyn set the notebook on the table by the bed, with the pen stuck in it’s spiral. She pulled the cord of the lamp, blanketing the room in darkness. She turned over onto her side, glancing out the window with a view she was starting to get accustomed to. It was of the Earth, shining like the moon would normally look out a window on Earth. She closed her eyes, and slowly fell into a deep sleep.
In the middle of the night, Caitlyn awoke with a start. She had a strange dream. It was of numbers, scrolling by in various algebraic equations. She tried to fall back asleep, but her mind kept going back to the dream. Caitlyn sat up and turned on the lamp. She grabbed the notebook and flipped to a blank page. She began writing down the equations, surprised she could remember each one exactly. Once finished, she tossed the notebook back on the table and flipped off the light. She will deal with that in the morning.
The next morning was very fast paced. Everyone was hurrying so they won't miss the shuttle to Earth. Soon enough, Caitlyn was in the room grabbing her bag full of everything she'll need for the next couple of days. Before packing in her notebook, she ripped out the page with the algebra dream on it. She tossed the bag up on her back and went up the stairs, carrying with paper with her. She saw Zenon's parents upstairs in the living room, getting ready to go to the lab. Caitlyn sat at the table and silently handed the paper over to Astrid. She stopped what she was doing and looked over the paper. Done, she looked up at Caitlyn in surprise. "Where did you come up with this?" She asked the girl.
"I just came to me in a dream last night," Caitlyn answered with a shrug. "I couldn't get it out of my head, and decided to write it down in case it proves to be useful." The paper was passed to Mark who, after reading it, looked at Caitlyn with the same look Astrid had given.
"I think it may be very useful," He said, standing up. "Astrid, we need to get to work." They left in a rush, not waiting to say goodbye to Zenon. Soon after, Caitlyn was waiting in the shuttle loading dock with several other people that were taking the flight down to Earth. The pilot gave them a go ahead to take their seats on the shuttle. Caitlyn had a window seat, with Zenon sitting between her and Nebula. Across the aisle were Lynx, Orion, and Margie.
Once all the passengers were situated, the pilot started up the shuttle. Caitlyn looked out the window, barely seeing the Earth's surface through the atmosphere. This trip will be interesting. Caitlyn's never even been on an airplane, and now she was about to fly from a space station down to Earth. The engine became louder, and the shuttle lifted up and pulled away from the space station. On the long ride, Caitlyn sat quietly, listening to a conversation Zenon was having with Nebula. Every once and a while she looked out the window, seeing the Earth getting closer and closer.
Hours later, the shuttle landed at a port next to the ocean. Caitlyn soon found out they were on the East Coast. She was from the Midwest, and had never been to any coast. Then again, everything about her time jump had been new to her. Caitlyn followed Zenon and her pals to a car waiting in the parking lot. The lady inside jumped out and greeted Zenon with a hug. "Doll face! It's so great to see you again." She exclaimed. "Hello Nebula, Margie, Orion, Lynx and..." She looked at Caitlyn, never had seen her before.
"Caitlyn," Zenon introduced. "This is my Aunt Judy." The two exchanged hellos.
"Well, we can talk later," Judy said. "Now we need to get going so we can drop off you're luggage before heading to the Microbe concert." The 6 piled into Judy's compact 'Slug Bug' car and drove off to drop off their things. Caitlyn sat in the back next to the right window, watching the scenery go by. She was happy to see Earth still looked like how she knew it. Once at Judy's house, the five visitors brought their things down to the basement. They would all be sleeping there like a sleepover. After Zenon had gotten out the Microbe tickets, they all were back in the car, driving to the concert venue.
When they arrived, Caitlyn noted that it looked like a typical show. Lots of people milling about, standing in line to buy concert T-shirts and waiting for the doors to open. One thing that was different is the seemingly lack of security. There was a few police officers standing about, but not as much as Caitlyn had seen at the last concert she had attended. Maybe it would be easier then Caitlyn thought it would to get backstage. After Judy found a parking spot (Caitlyn thought it was strange that everyone owned a beetle car), the group went to stand in line and wait to be let in to find their seats.
The line started moving forward, and after just a few minutes Zenon and friends were walking inside. The rest of the crowd continued on to the door that led to the stage, but Zenon had the five follow her towards backstage. They were approaching a doorway manned by two security guards. They didn't say a word as the group went passed. Caitlyn thought it was interesting how no one asked any questions. Zenon finally stopped at a door with a sign on it that read 'Microbe's dressing room.' Caitlyn heard voices on the other side. Zenon knocked on the door and waited for it to be answered. A moment later the door was opened by the spiky-haired lead singer Caitlyn recognized from Zenon's photo.
"Zenon!" He greeted with a British accent. "Come in, come in." He opened the door wide enough to let everyone in the room. I guess Zenon is, after all, friends with Proto Zoa, Caitlyn thought as she took a seat on a couch next to Lynx and a member of Microbe. She guessed he was the drummer by the way he was playing air drums as he listened to music on headphones.
"You remember these four," Zenon didn't ask but stated.
"Of course! How could I not after playing the wedding?" Proto Zoa said. Caitlyn remember Zenon telling her how Microbe had played at Commander Plank and Judy's wedding. It had happened after Zenon found aliens in trouble and helped them. Caitlyn was interested to learn aliens weren't little green men but swirls of light.
"And this is my new friend Caitlyn," Zenon introduced. Caitlyn put her hand out to be shaken, but instead got a kiss on the hand by Proto Zoa.
"Nice to meet you," Caitlyn greeted.
"A friend of Zenon's is a friend of mine," Proto Zoa said. They all conversed until it was time for Zenon at friends had to leave to find their seats. Microbe also had to get ready to go onstage. The six quickly got to their seats, which was front row center. They didn't stay in the seats long, because once Microbe came out they were all on their feet. The crowd screamed and cheered as Proto Zoa sang. "Zoom, zoom, zoom. Make my heart go boom, boom. My supernova girl." Caitlyn really got into it, dancing along. The fun seemed to fly by, and soon they were all walking back to Judy's car.
"That was so much fun!" Lynx exclaimed as they walked.
"Did you like it?" Zenon asked Caitlyn.
"Oh yeah. I wish I had brought a camera with me," Caitlyn answered. Soon they were at the car at driving back to Judy's house. And through all the excitement, Caitlyn still wondered in the back of her mind if her strange dream the night before would somehow be a key part in getting back to her time.