As the debate in the Zozian longhouse’s aquatic auditorium continues, Defender Zik’s father Mitch brings up a sobering point. The proposed raid to rescue the slaves from the Zernabian prison planet will face stiff opposition, because Todd’s spy drones have witnessed a sharp increase in Clonoid activity.

Red Wolf vows to help the slaves or die trying, which confuses one of the dolphins in attendance. She asks why one should risk so much to help humans not in the same pod. Mizhakwan helpfully explains that the desire to help others is a strong human instinct, because we know that others of good will would help us if we were in the same situation. It’s just what good humans do.

Other elders bring up a strong point in opposition to the raid, however. This attack will cause Elcyra to retaliate, regardless of whether any slaves are rescued. As it stands, the evil queen has openly declared her intent to conquer Zoz, but that might have just been bluster. This attack would push her to retaliate directly.

With that point in mind, a Chadee elder asks Vera and Amelia to describe the Clonoids, so that everyone can better understand what their opposition is like. Vera describes how Clonoids are networked together, and that the most common type is the relatively weak Drone. Amelia covers the Soldier type, comparing them to a brave Sten.

Then Zik chimes in, describing the enormous Super Soldier type he fought. Red Wolf is skeptical, and voices the shared skepticism of many Zozians about the relative size of the largest Clonoid type. While James Anchor seethes at someone doubting the honesty of his oldest friend, Zik calmly asks Zoot to project a life-sized image of the Super Soldier to illustrate his point…

Amelia ignites her jetpack thrusters in a bid to return to the Temerity quickly, but Trent hesitates and holds back. He’s always been nervous about flying, and he reveals that he hasn’t been doing as much practicing with his rocket boots as he should.

Unfazed, Amelia steadies Trent and helps him get airborne, encouraging him as they go. Trent focuses on keeping a steady heading, but he can’t help getting distracted by the fact that the two of them are holding hands. He’s always wanted to hold hands with Amelia and be close to her, but now that he finds himself in that very position, he can’t understand his feelings. Instead of being elated, he feels like something is off. Why is this proximity to someone he loves making him feel so odd?

In the galley of the Kodiak, Amelia regains consciousness after hitting her head. But the Jairian in the hall junction outside heard her!

The Jairian investigates – and likes what he sees! He removes his mask, revealing himself to be Morren Mallor! This is the same Jairian that led the attack on Baker Mine!

Morren explains that him and his comrades do whatever they want, and he wants Amelia! He starts to tear at Amelia’s clothing, and she cries out…

…a cry heard by a nearby Zik!

Zik wakes up, and wait, he’s back on Zoz?! He’s in the dojo of his two senseis, Raven Perez and Adam Black! Zik is understandably confused; after all, he was just grappling with a giant Clonoid soldier on a Zernabian prison planet! Where are Amelia and Trent? Adam explains: Zik is dreaming right now! He’s not on Zoz at all.

So who are these two? Well, in real life, Raven and Adam are two of my comic bros, and they’re two of the best pals I’ve never actually met face to face. Raven does Raven’s Dojo, and Adam Black has a whole bunch of comics, the current one being Tears Of The Dragon! You should definitely check them out. These are the guys that have been helping me improve my art skills, so if you’ve noticed an increase in quality as the comic progresses, these are the guys to thank for that!