CHAPTER 1
"We're nearing our destination," announced the first officer to his captain. "Planet Earth is straight ahead."
"I am approaching the space pod," reported the captain as he stepped off his elevator and entered the area of the ship where the pod was located. Inside the pod, the captain sat down in one of only two seats that were available in the vessel. "I am starting ignition sequence," he pronounced while strapping himself in. Then he pushed a series of buttons and the space pod's engines ignited, thrusting powerfully away.
The space pod dashed off towards Earth, making sure its presence wasn't detected by the planet's surveillance systems. The egg-shaped pod spun its way down to the earth's surface, broke through the clouds and headed for the town of Spring Valley. Rapidly, it spun its way to the Valleydale subdivision. It maneuvered its way over Springhaven Court and the home of one Ralph Eltison.
As it landed, steam emitted from the bottom of the pod and filled the air that surrounded the Eltison backyard. Underneath their willow tree and next to the doghouse, stood Ralph Eltison and his ever-faithful superhero dog, Elt. They waited patiently for the Trianthian leader to make his appearance.
The door to the pod opened. From the darkness inside the pod emerged the familiar glowing figure of Coladeus. He hopped down from the pod and walked over to both Ralph and Elt. He first shook Ralph's hand, and then Elt's right paw.
"So good to see you both, my friends from Earth," remarked Coladeus.
Ralph's excitement was all too noticeable. "What assignment do you have for us Coladeus? Are we going to travel back with you and save a solar system or discover a lost planet?"
"Why all that and more," assured Coladeus as he welcomed the boy and his dog into his pod. "Usually there is only room for two occupants in our pod, but we have made special arrangements in order to accommodate you both on board Trianthius I."
"That's cool!" exalted Ralph. "When can we leave?"
"Well ... right now," answered Coladeus.
The three boarded the ship and fastened their restraints. In an instant, the space pod blasted off for Trianthius I, which was safely orbiting Earth.
"Can we help steer?" asked Ralph.
"Why sure," smiled Coladeus. Elt's tail wagged slowly as he watched his human take control of the Trianthian space pod. Ralph was excited yet careful in his efforts to steer the pod in the right direction.
"We should see Trianthius I shortly," stated Coladeus.
"There it is!" yelled Ralph. "I'll get us close to the ship." Coladeus watched Ralph carefully as he guided the space pod under the belly of the Trianthian ship.
"She's beautiful!" exclaimed Ralph. Ralph's eyes lit up brighter than ever as he took in all the wonderful sights before him. The greenish, triangular-shaped vessel welcomed the smaller vessel as the pod attached itself to Trianthius I. Coladeus glanced over at both Ralph and Elt.
"Ralph, lunch time!" exclaimed Coladeus. "I fixed some sandwiches."
Ralph stared at the Trianthian elder for a few seconds, and then realized where he really was. He had never left his backyard. Ralph was sitting on top of Elt's doghouse, straddling the roof. Elt had slunk inside the doghouse, taking a rest from the summer's heat and humidity. Ralph's dad stuck his head out the door. He held a plate full of sandwiches. "Well, are you coming?"
"Coming Dad!" shouted Ralph as he leaped off the doghouse and ran up the porch and into the kitchen. Elt followed him but opted to enter through the doggie door.
It had been a couple of weeks since Ralph had last seen the REAL Trianthian leader late one summer night in his backyard. It was the night Coladeus had revealed both his identity and purpose for visiting Elt. Ever since then, Ralph could only wonder about the nature of Elt's next mission. Was he, ten year-old Ralph Eltison, going to be part of that mission?
Although Ralph had cut the daydreaming down quite a bit, knowing his dog, still technically a pup, was a hero with super powers, was just too exciting. Adventures of traveling through space filled Ralph's head. He knew that at any moment, a voice from Elt's collar would communicate with them. He thought about voyages to unknown worlds, or space adventures to distant planets. It was overwhelming!
Ralph wanted to tell someone, but he knew he couldn't. Not to just anyone. He wanted to share that secret with his best friend, Jenny Rodgers. Jenny wouldn't tell anyone, he knew that. But informing one more human was that much more critical to Elt's existence as a super dog.
It had only been a couple of weeks since Elt and his friends, the pets from the Valleydale subdivision, had thwarted a bank robbery and captured Frake and most of the other men working for the unscrupulous Walter E. Crum. The town of Spring Valley was still abuzz. Folks were out shopping, working, and playing. There were no more worries. Frake and his men were in jail and Crum had flown off in his helicopter, hopefully never to be seen again. The park was full of people and their pets. Life was great again in Spring Valley.
The month of July was nearing its long, hot end. Ralph, his dad, and Elt had just returned from a mini-vacation, an almost week-long camping trip in the mountains that overlooked Spring Valley. Elt got to experience firsthand what outdoor living was all about; those late night trips to battle Crum and his men did not count as outdoor living. They slept in a tent, fished for some of their food, burned a campfire each night, and hiked miles and miles each day. There was a lake for fishing, swimming, and sightseeing. Now, nothing beat sleeping at the foot of Ralph's bed every night, but outdoor living wasn't so bad. Elt was doubly happy, for Ralph's dad had administered the proper flea and tick treatments before they left. Scratching and biting for five days would have been no fun at all.
When Ralph, his dad, and Elt returned home, normalcy resumed. Ralph's dad went back to work. Ralph completed his chores in the mornings. Some of the chores included bathing Elt, dumping the garbage, and washing the dishes. These chores were different from the ones he and his dad accomplished together, like yard work and cleaning house.
Ralph worked on his daily chores in the morning so he could free up his afternoon time for Jenny, Bernadette, and Elt. After Jenny returned home from her grandparent's house, Ralph and Elt would walk over. For close to an hour before dinner time, they would stroll along their usual route; Valleydale Drive to Schoolhouse Road and back, then all the way over to Springhaven Court, where Ralph and Elt lived.
The kids and their dogs would pass by all the neighborhood pets. Juan, the Chihuahua was always ready to greet them as they strolled by. Sarge would venture out from his doghouse, catch a glimpse of the kids and their dogs, belt out a couple of warning barks, and then head right back into his doghouse or scratch at the door for Mr. Davis to let him in. Max stayed inside with Mrs. Petrie, for it was still very hot outside and the old boy loved the air conditioning. Chin remained in the back of his house, only peeking to be sure that it was Elt and Bernadette, and then withdrawing to the shelter of his doghouse.
Jasmine, the tabby cat would sometimes trek along with the kids and pets, but would generally head back to her house when they reached Schoolhouse...
