In Rio de Janeiro, Xuuok and I had completed arrangements whereby I was to join the Asternoid rebels.

"I want you to be our military dictator!" said Xuuok.  I boarded the next airliner for Hawaii with an innocent-looking suitcase as my only baggage.

But when I reached my stateroom, I opened it.

"Hop out, Zoo!" I laughed.  "We're alone---door's locked---and here's some delicious garravaca pastries!"

Larissa meanwhile was furious because Alda had escaped capture.

And when I stepped off the ship at Porto Waikiki, she was waiting.

"Larissa!" I exclaimed. "You have no right to detain me now."

From his hiding place in my valise, Xuuok was listening.  Suddenly the lid opened and he peered out, gun in hand.

"Yes, yes, I'll have to do it," he thought.  There was a blast of blue fire and Larissa wilted.  An instant later an air guard swooped down.

"Ei, você!" What are you doing to this garota, eh?" he demanded, pointing to the prone Larissa.310Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchCMiCp9g4

He ordered me to march before him, but he was reckoning without Xuuok, my hidden ally.

Out popped the little fellow from the valise once more.  There was a dash and the guard fell.  "Run, Nick, run for your life!" yelled Xuuok.

A few moments later, we were lost in the crowd.  "Our best bet is to board an Australian Air express as if nothing happened," said Xuuoc.

I took his advice but it was some time before the ship hopped off, and just before it did, Larissa rushed on deck.

"I am certain that Nick Cosmos is aboard this ship," she told the commandante.  "He must not leave without me!"