PS238 #4

PS238 #4 Every school has field trips, and ps238 is no exception. However, they go a little farther afield than most: the moon! But this isn't just a rock-hunting sightseeing tour; it's a mission to deliver a very important package! What perils await them there?

Wednesday morning, 4:57 AM. The students of PS238 are preparing to go on a field trip. Zodon, Suzi, Ron, and Kevin all complain of the early hour and look more than a bit bleary-eyed, with Tyler looking more than a bit apprehensive over the whole thing. Their conversation is interrupted by Herschel, Alloy, and Dr. Newby, who help them suit up and collect their permission slips for their trip into outer space. Everyone loads in to the space shuttle, and Herschel entrusts an important package to Tyler. The shuttle launches from a hidden bay under the football field, and they get ready to head for the moon. En route, Mr. Alloy gives them a bit of instruction on the dangers of space, including how to go to the bathroom, which thoroughly grosses out the children. During their approach to the moon an explosive charge detonates inside the shuttle, blasting the children out into space and onto the surface of the moon. A note lets the children know that the charge was placed by Victor Von Fogg, in an attempt to lose Zodon on the moon. The children discuss their situation; while some of them could fly back to earth, that would still leave the lesser-powered stuck on the moon. Thinking that the package might help them, they open it to discover it is a box of "Yappys Dog Treats", which appear to be absolutely no help. Tyler remembers that the Earth Defense League's base is on the moon, but never having been outside the base he has no clue where it is located. While the others argue over the next course of action Tyler decides to contact Revenant, who gives him some tips and helps him figure out the reason for the box of dog treats. Tyler discovers dog footprints and convinces the others to join him in following the tracks. During the trip they come across one of the Apollo landing sites and a huge crater that the dog apparently jumps across while running over the lunar surface. Suzi tries to fly across but miscalculates, forcing Captain Clarinet to go after her while Emerald Gauntlet transports the others across. Zodon talks them into not waiting for Ron and Suzi to get back and they continue following the tracks to a small dog kennel, with no dog in it. While examining the kennel they are surprised by the return of Ron and Suzi along with Argo the Wonder Dog. Mr. Clay then turns up and explains that the school staff has been tracking the children with a beacon he placed in Zodon's chair and then goes on to explain that Argo was Ron's father's dog and why Argo now lives on the moon. Mr. Alloy tells the children they're going to go back to the EDL's moon base to be transported back to the school, but not before talking to Herschel about the tracking device - which was really in Tyler's decoder ring. Herschel just wanted to see Zodon go nuts looking for the tracking beacon. While the rest of the kids get beamed back to Earth, Ron spends a few hours romping with Argo. Herschel and Alloy take Ron back to earth with them on the shuttle, noting that Ron will be able to see Argo again and that Argo will always have his eye on Ron, considering the great view he has of where Ron lives.

Back-up story: Herschel is visited by Harold Reynolds from NASA Logistics wanting to know how PS238 cuts through all the red tape when it comes to space launches. Herschel explains that they get support from a senator that hates metahumans because he and his buddies like approving flights where they know metahumans are going to be shot into orbit. Reynolds proceeds to get a manned mission to Mars approved by claiming it would be used to build an offworld prison for super-criminals.