How easy, in the rough waters of energetic living, to forget the divine healing powers of a single kiss! Rich with harmonics of spice, clovers, and the redolent loam of a vanished home-planet, the Mandolan maiden's gentle kiss vibrated subtly through the thick manly skullbones of the Terran's aching head, inducing slight, but strangely powerful, frequencies to start emanating through his barely adequate gray matter and his central nervous system. Visions brought by its ministering impact filled his mind--of warm soil, of bright sunight and clear skies, of the gentle orange waters and pale reddish-green slies of Mandola long departed. And of a healing divine energy, wordless, almost thoughtless, that restored every cell and tissue to touched upon.

He stirred, rested as though he had slept for days instead of hours, and saw his surroundings clearly and without pain. He rose slowly from the gentle lounge on which she had left him, feeling his joints and muscles carefully and finding all back in working order. He smiled, remembering her beauty.

Reaching for the golden Catfish pin on his chest, he tapped it several times in a quick rhythm.

"Cornucopia, this is Cosmic Dogsbody...Cornucopia from Cosmic Dogsbody... we are approaching condition Gamma One and may require assistance. One agent of Heronia identified on board, now contained, wearing the simulacrum facade of a Greenman...purposes unknown. More when I can...Dogsbody out."

As the portal to his resting place hissed open with a small squeal, because of a warped bulkhead connector, he turned and smiled happily at the sight of the Mandolan maiden, to whom he owed so much, returning to check on her temporary patient.

"Thanks for the help, Mandy!", he said warmly. "I owe you one, for sure!"