Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford Page A

detentions and principals and interminable groundings, but it was still his home and he wanted to go back and make sure it was safe.
    They heard a loud whooshing noise outside the ship and Moonman whispered, “Shhh.” He cocked his head and said, “I’ve never . . .” And then night came and he fell asleep.
    In the Numonian darkness, Jacob walked to the rear of the spaceship Swift, the nighttime stars shining through the portholes. He opened the hatch door, stepped out, and saw one of the most wonderful sights he had ever seen in his life: the lights of the spaceship Lucy, a soft glow shining through the dome of the cockpit, the cargo door open and Dexter standing there waiting for him in the hold. Jacob nearly fainted with relief. Lucy, the ship that had taken them so far from home, had come back for him. His mind raced with what would now be possible. He could leave Numonia and try and find a way home. Moonman and Stargirl could stay on Numonia, and they didn’t have to fly the spaceship Swift.
    The winds stirred, the sun rose. Moonman and Stargirl woke and stood beside Jacob, looking at Lucy with their arms around each other.
    Moonman grabbed Jacob’s shoulder with one of his strong hands.
    â€œSon, I want you to know something. You’re probably going to leave us now, and I think Stargirl and I both know it. And that’s because where you come from is special to you. It may not be as good as Numonia, but it’s your home and you’ll love your home no matter what. No one can take it away from you.”
    Jacob looked up into Moonman’s and Stargirl’s twinkling eyes. “I don’t even know if I have a home to go back to,” he said quietly.
    Moonman smiled. “Well, whatever happens, I just want you and Dexter to know that you’ll always have a home on Numonia.”
    Jacob said, “Thank you,” and hugged them. They felt like his grandparents, soft and warm and kind, and he felt a pang of sadness and anger that his dad wasn’t even there for him as much as the Numonians had been.
    He made his way over to Lucy and climbed aboard, taking a deep cleansing lung full of air that didn’t smell like burp breath. As the cargo door closed he turned back to say one last good-bye to Numonia, but the sun set, night fell, and Moonman and Stargirl were fast asleep.
    â€œSarah!” Jacob turned and shouted as Lucy blasted off into the sky. “Sarah! Where is she? I knew she’d come back for us!”
    Dexter shook his head. “She’s not here.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt’s just me. Lucy showed up out of nowhere, so I hopped on board and told her where to find you.”
    â€œI don’t understand.”
    Dexter shrugged and handed Jacob a ration bar. Jacob tore into it, and as he was chewing he suddenly remembered their fight.
    â€œThanks for coming back for me,” Jacob said.
    Dexter stared at the wall for a long time before answering. “That’s what friends do.”
    â€œYou were right, Dexter.”
    Dexter gave him a shaky grin, “Aw, you know. It happens once in a while.”
    â€œChildren,” Lucy said, “as much as I am enjoying this excruciating display of emotion, I need to know where I should set my coordinates.”
    â€œI missed you, Lucy!” Jacob shouted. “Thank you for coming for us.”
    â€œOh dear, well, I suppose I’d rather be commanded by you lunatics than be held captive by a bore of a spaceship, but don’t let that go to your heads.”
    Dexter said to Jacob, “Let’s find Sarah and get home.”
    â€œLucy,” Jacob said. “Can you take us to Sarah? Where is she?”
    Lucy didn’t speak for a moment. “I can get you there quickly,” she said. “But I don’t think you’re going to like it.”

CHAPTER 21
    S arah heard the scientist’s shout just as they rounded a corner and ran directly into his