Nicola's great-aunt Annie gave a cheery wiggle of her fingers.
"And she said that according to the United Aunts Intergalactic Convention for Sensible Governance of Planets, if a planet's leader is seen to act in a way that is deemed to be foolish, bad-mannered, or violent, then a close family member may apply to the United Aunts to automatically take over the leadership."
"What in the world are you telling me this for?" said Mrs. Mania.
"I put in an application to take over the leadership," said Marty. "The United Aunts approved it."
Nicola's great-aunt Annie held up an application form with a huge APPROVED stamp across it. Nicola had never been prouder of her aunt.
"So you're no longer president of Volcomania," said Marty. "I am."
"I beg your pardon?" said Mrs. Mania. Her voice had become quite hoarse.
"You heard me, Mother. I'm the new president. And my first act as president will be to honor the commitment you made. We lost the battle. So we will now formally recognize Whimsy as an independent planet, withdraw our troops, and promise never to declare war on Whimsy again. If someone wouldn't mind untying me, I'll make an announcement."
Sean leaped forward to cut the ropes around Marty with the penknife he'd taken from the guard. Marty stood up, stretched, and shook Sean's hand.
"But--I--Marty--this--you--we--how--why . . ." Mrs. Mania's voice drifted away. Her face seemed to collapse inward. A lock of her hair fell in her eyes.
She was a broken woman. Nicola could hardly bear to look at her.
Marty patted his mother on the shoulder. "It's okay, Mom," he said softly. Then he turned to Henry. "Will you join me on the balcony? We can tell our people together that the war is over."
"Certainly," said Henry. "But first, there are some people I need to thank." He turned to the Space Brigade first. "I am overwhelmed with gratitude," he said, solemnly clasping each of their hands in both of his. "The people of Whimsy will never forget. Our children's children will hear songs and stories and poems about the glorious, heroic Space Brigade!"
When he got to Nicola, he shook his head in wonder. "I have learned so much about leadership from you! In the future, whenever I face a difficult problem, I will ask myself, 'What would the president of Earth do?' "
"Nicola isn't the president of Earth!" exploded Greta.
"Oh, isn't she? Sorry, I just assumed . . ." said Henry, while Nicola blushed furiously. "You're just so confident."
Gosh. It was lucky Henry didn't know what was really going on inside her head.
Sure is lucky, laughed Shimlara's voice in Nicola's head.
Henry turned to Georgio, Mully, and Squid next.
"Where would we be without people like you! People unafraid to stand up and say, 'This is wrong!' I'm overcome!"
Tears rolled down Henry's face as he craned his head to look up at Georgio and Mully. Squid, who was the same height as Henry, solemnly patted him on the head.
"It's our pleasure," said Georgio and Mully together.
Next Henry hugged every single one of the United Aunts.
"Ahem," said Marty with meaning. "Maybe we could . . ."
"What? Oh! Yes, of course!"
Henry and Marty stepped out onto the balcony.
A few minutes later there was a tremendous roar of applause. Stunning fireworks lit up Whimsy's night sky in a frenzy of celebratory color. Nicola turned to the other members of the Space Brigade and smiled. "I think our work here is done."
CHAPTER 39
"Careful!" Katie called out to Sean.
He was bouncing on his toes on the edge of an enormous diving board with his arms outstretched. Sean looked down at Katie and gave her a strange, almost confused look.