As the presence of the book filled the room, there was a respectful moment of silence from both Perry and Connie and a respectful, slightly shocked moment of utter amazement from Tessa.

“Is it… is it real?” she finally uttered, taking it from Perry’s hands as if it would break at the slightest touch.

" ’Course!" came the quick reply from Perry. He reached over clumsily and booted up the Guide. Instantly, a three-dimensional laser image appeared, constantly fluctuating between numerous planetary bodies, comets, solar systems, alien creatures, and unidentifiable food items. A small arrow emerged and stayed there, pointing at the menu buttons on the tablet.

Tessa started to whiz through the menus, completely absorbed in her activity and not even noticing as a small beeping emitted from the contraption on the workbench.

“Perry, we’ve got a hit,” was all Connie said. Perry nodded, a serious expression on his face as he ran into the house to grab Tessa a towel.

It was time.