"I don't know how to thank you for all you've done for me...why, you've saved my life, now I want to repay you. You said awhile ago, you've broken your own law...what will happen to you now that you're free to go home?" he asked their leader.
"We will be put on trial, then probably banished from our world....at least our job, barred from space travel. Because you have saved this planet there should be some hope from us. We couldn't let you die, because you were its only chance for survival."
"Surely that will console your judges and they won't be as harsh on you."
"I do not know. Now we have a slight problem," the visitor told him.
"What's that?"
"While rescuing you, one of our main engines was damaged by our rough entry into your atmosphere. We cannot return to Mother Ship without it."
"Hey!" Mike cried happily, startling the man. "I can help you with that...I may not be able to fix your ship, but I can fly up half way to the other and give you sort of a boost!"
"It sounds like a promising idea...if you think you are strong enough to fly!"
"Sure! I'll manage it! Just give me a few minutes. I don't have my shield any more, so I'll have to be very careful. You'll have to tell me when to let you go, somehow."
Minutes later, Mike was flying once again, his strength partially returned, the little disc in his left hand. When he got to a certain height in space, a light on the disc blinked and he drew back his arm and slung the vessel in the proper direction, which they'd given him over an intercom system as he flew. "Good-bye! And thank you!" the little voices cried over the speaker. When they were out of sight, Mike flew toward the last two MLCs once again, just before his strength began to totally leave him, he finished disarming the last one so he quickly returned to The Institute, suffering terrible discomforts because of the missing shield. Before he took the missiles to bury them, he would have to construct another one, but there would be a few days to do that before the eclipse took place. Right now, he just wanted to let everyone know he was still alive, give his report, and return to the clinic for exams and deserved rest.
Cooper was still at the observatory when he returned, peering through the telescope.
"Oh, son, you did it!" he cried with glee. There was a huge grin on his face, and a tear in his eye. "I saw two explosions over the scope, but didn't know what they meant! I, of course, imagined the worst. What happened?"
Cooper saw the distressed look on Mike's face, and rushed him to the clinic. During his exam Mike explained everything to him. Jeanie was notified of the mission's success, and she and Larry joined them to congratulate their hero. Dr. Cooper wasn't surprised when Mike told him about the decoys.
"With all the shortages going around, I can understand the reasoning behind them, but my only thoughts besides the obvious, are of the government. What would they say if they knew what we're up to? They'd blow their stacks!"