"And here she is, the birthday girl, Allyzooba!" the DJ announced.
The crowd cheered as Ally entered the large ballroom.
"Thank you all for coming to my party!" She twirled around, showing off her new outfit.
"Happy birthday!" everyone cried.
But from somewhere in the back of the room, a voice called, "Allyzooba!"
Ally kept twirling.
"Allyzooba!" the voice said more sharply.
Ally's eyes flew open, abruptly ending her daydream.
"Allyzooba Delta5X of Astralia!" her father called from the main control room.
Her family's spaceship was docked on planet Dorpio10 for her parents' latest peace mission.
As Astralians with Astral minds, they flew all over the universe.
They solved major problems like severe droughts, food shortages, even wars between galaxies.
"We're back," Ally's dad called. "Our mission was a success, so we'll be taking off for home soon."
"Okay!" Ally called back.
She threw her voice so it would sound as if it were coming from another part of the ship.
"I'm just finishing up my homework!"
Ally picked up her tablet and continued planning her party.
"Dad won't come looking for me if he thinks I'm doing homework," she thought.
But seconds later her father burst into her sleep quarters.
"Homework, huh?" Dad took Ally's tablet from her.
"You should watch what you think, daughter.
You're not the only Astralian who can read minds."
Ally sighed. "I was hoping you were too far away."
"I was close enough for you to throw your voice to trick me.
So I was close enough to read your mind."
He sat beside her, his expression softening.
"Mom and I are happy that you've mastered throwing your voice, and your levitation skills are improving.
But you're past the age when most Astralians start going on solo missions.
You need to focus on your studies to prepare."
Ally nodded. "Okay. Can I have my tablet back now?"
"I'm afraid not.
Our Astral minds are revered all over the universe because we use them to help others, not plan parties."
"But parties make people happy, Dad! Doesn't that count?"
"Not as much as keeping the universe in peaceful balance," Dad said.
"Your mother and I have made up our minds. It's time for you to be more responsible."
"Fine." Ally sighed. "Send me to planet GrayZone.
I can teach those dull GrayZoners to be more colorful, like me!"
Ally's mom joined them.
"We're going to start with a simpler task.
The communication device in escape pod Alpha needs repair. Alpha
Fixing it is a skill you'll need when you start going on solo missions."
Escape pods were kept on Astralians' mother ships in case things got dangerous and a quick getaway was required.
Ally moaned. "Repairs are boring."
Mom folded her arms and stared at her.
Ally didn't need to read her mind to know she would never win this argument.
"Fine. I'll fix the comm device." She walked to her closet.
"I'll change out of my pajamas and then get started."
A few minutes later, Ally emerged in a brightly colored outfit.
She wore her favorite boots, which made her feet look especially big.
"That's your idea of work clothes?" Ally's mother asked.
Ally twirled around. "Isn't this a cute outfit?"
Her mother sighed. "It's not very practical."
"It's fine for you to wear a boring old uniform, Mom, but I have to express my personality.
It's what I'm known for!"
"We want you to be known for doing good works throughout the universe," Mom said.
"When we were your age, we had already been on solo missions."
She held out a tablet. "Here's the manual for fixing the comm device.
Take a look and let me know if you have any questions."
Ally pretended to read through it for a moment. "It seems simple enough."
Mom frowned. "You know how to check the meters? And make sure you unplug the—"
"I know all that stuff!" Ally rolled her eyes and flipped her tentacles. "See you later."
As she walked to the area on the ship where the pods were stored, Ally forced herself to think about homework.
She didn't want her parents detecting her real thoughts right now.
But as soon as she was out of range, those thoughts came spilling out.
"I can't believe they don't trust me with something as simple as fixing a comm device.
I'll show them they're wrong. I am totally ready for real Astralian missions!"