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Imperial Majesty,” said the computer. “I have been looking forward to exploring a proper spaceship.”
    â€œYet how will that be possible,” said Bram, “when you are tied to Johnny’s arm, and it is my hope that this arm, and the person it is attached to, will accompany me elsewhere?” The Emperor clicked his fingers and Johnny felt a strange lightness at the end of his wrist. He let go of the quantum computer, which remained hovering in midair. Then Kovac flew forward of his own accord.
    â€œThat seems to have done the trick,” said Bram. “Alf, my old friend.” The android’s face took on a definite pink sheen. “Several of these engines need to be checked over before we set out and, as you can see, my people appear somewhat behind schedule.” The Emperor pointed to some battleships berthed nearby, many of which looked as if they’d seen better days. “Perhaps you can show them how it’s done?”
    â€œIt will be a pleasure to be of assistance,” said the android, bowing and then vanishing in a blur at full speed.
    â€œI’m sure Bentley will be happy to relax nearby,” said Bram, clearly remembering how, the last time he was on board, the gray and white dog enjoyed having his paws massaged by the carpets in the
Calida Lucia
’s corridors. “And, Kovac—my shipis at your disposal. Go where you wish. Clara and Johnny—I would like you to accompany me to Titan.”
    Saturn’s largest moon housed a secret. It was called the Fountain of Time and, apparently, had been built by their mother the Diaquant. One of the giant dandelion heads separated from the stack at the end of the Imperial Starcruiser’s hold and settled on the ground, so that some of its pointed white quills were close to the Emperor. He blew on the nearest few, which parted, and a walkway extended from the central hub out to where he was standing. “Follow me,” he said to Johnny and Clara, and then he walked, very slowly, up the ramp.

    From the inside, the Emperor’s shuttle was completely transparent and they could see Titan’s thick orange clouds swirling around them. Clara sat on the floor of the ship, her forehead glistening as her fever became worse. Bram stood in front, hair blowing in a nonexistent breeze, waving his hands over the controls. In very little time they broke through into the lower atmosphere and the landscape below came into view. With its mountains and valleys, oceans and rivers, it looked remarkably like Earth.
    They settled on a rocky outcrop beside a large, featureless plain, bounded in the distance by a chain of small hills and all under the heavy orange sky. Bram turned to them both and said, “We shall not be alone at the Fountain of Time. There are … beings who have sought sanctuary here. I urge you to treat them kindly.”
    Although the ship’s sensors told them there was no oxygen outside, the walls opened and a ramp extended. Bram led the way, walking slowly down before disappearing midway, through an invisible curtain.
    â€œI don’t feel well,” said Clara. When she looked up her eyes were now totally black. “I think I’d better stay here.”
    Johnny was scared, but tried to sound calm. “Come on,” he said. “You love this place—it’ll make you feel so much better.” He reached out and pulled her gently to her feet. With his sister leaning heavily on him, they descended the ramp together. At the point where the Emperor had disappeared, everything changed. Sweet smells of heather and honey filled Johnny’s nostrils, a sky dominated by Saturn hung overhead and in front was a beautiful lake of liquid gold, filled with chronons—particles of time.
    Bram stood by the edge of the lake, but he was not alone. Two dozen figures robed in scarlet hovered around him. The creatures within the flapping cloaks were strangely fuzzy—out of