Arth-Creatures may be extinct if nothing is done, states Environmental Czar.
VOLCOMANIA DECLARES WAR ON THE PLANET OF WHIMSY
"The Planet of Whimsy must be taught a lesson!" thunders President Mania.
PLANET OF DUMPWOOD BANS REFUGEES FROM GROON
"It's not our problem they're not allowed to smile on their stupid planet," proclaims Prime Minister.
Oh dear. There were so many planets that needed help. How could they possibly work out which one had taken Georgio and Mully's interest?
Nicola took another bite of her (perfect) pizza and the name Gorgioskio caught her eye on one of the clippings.
She read quickly.
LOCAL RESIDENTS FIGHT FOR GROON'S RIGHT TO SMILE!
Georgio and Mully Gorgioskio have started a new committee called SAVE THE SMILE ON GROON. They have sent a petition to the king of Groon. The king's response was swift: "Mind your own beeswax."
"Listen to this!" she went to say to the others, but Tyler got in first.
"I've got it!" He began to read from one of the clippings. "Intergalactic activists Georgio and Mully are at it again. This time they're taking on the Planet of Finbat, where the government has decided to only allow workers a day off once every three years. 'This is an absolute outrage,' said Mully Gorgioskio. 'We've started a committee called Help Finbat's Overworked Workers.'"
Tyler looked up from his article. "Maybe their disappearance has got something to do with the government of Finbat."
"But listen to this!" said Katie. "This time those well-meaning Gorgioskios have gone too far.They have started a committee called Save the Arth-Creatures. Arth-Creatures are deadly, ugly, ill-mannered creatures that love nothing more than snacking on tasty humans. Yet the Gorgioskios are bent on saving them. 'We should do everything in our power to stop the extinction of any species,' bleated bleeding heart Mully Gorgioskio. This journalist's humble opinion: Save the Arth-Creatures by feeding them two tasty morsels: Georgio and Mully Gorgioskio."
"That's an awful thing to say," said Shimlara. Her face was pale. "You don't think that journalist has--"
"Of course not," said Nicola. "The journalist was trying to be funny."
"Your parents have got so many causes," said Sean."They're like superheroes of the galaxy!" He paused. "Except without the superpowers."
"Yeah, they're great, although I'm not sure it's absolutely necessary to save the Arth-Creatures," said Greta. "They tried to eat us!"
"Anyway," said Nicola decisively. "This isn't getting us anywhere. All we've learned from this is that your parents are involved with a lot of different causes."
"So what next?" said Shimlara. "Do we just give up?"
"No way!" said Nicola. "We don't give up. We--" She searched her mind desperately for something they could do next.
She was interrupted by a sound from outside the house. They all looked at one another.
"Maybe the kidnappers have come back to get me," said Shimlara.
Suddenly she leaped to her feet.
"Come and get me, whoever you are!" she yelled. "I don't care! I'm in--"
Sean jumped up on a chair so he was high enough to slap his hand over her mouth. "You can't help your family if you're kidnapped, too!"
Shimlara's eyes rolled around angrily, but she nodded, pushing away his hand.
There was definitely something going on outside the house. It sounded like footsteps. Actually, it sounded like an army of footsteps.
"Where are those Micro Mirth Missiles?" whispered Nicola to Sean.
Sean quickly pulled out a pack of miniature rocket-shaped objects from his backpack and opened it up. He handed a missile to each person. "Just pull on the wire at the back and throw."