Over a year had passed since he first followed Dr. Frest from Terra to this world called Earth. He had agreed to venture into Frest's transportation device, despite warnings that it would be a one-way trip, in order to stop the villainous Dr. Mobius once and for all. Now, fourteen months later, instead of battling Mobius, he was engaged in a war with his own emotions. His only defense against tears, pain and potential madness was the vodka and orange juice he constantly poured into himself. They had been effective weapons once, pushing his feelings back behind a drunken haze. But their potency was waning, and Cage was slowly losing ground to his traitorous emotions — once joyful companions now turned enemies. He threw back the last of the liquid and felt it burn its way down his throat. He waited for the alcohol kick to hit him, but nothing happened. The enemy was winning. Cage could feel hot tears burning behind his eyes, soldiers seeking a path to victory. But if he allowed the tears to flow, to well and run in salty streams down his rough cheeks, he knew he would be overcome by the emotions he sought to keep buried.
