A defeated Duneedon returns to the Coach House. He tries one more attack on those who had exposed the conspiracy, singling out Theta and Otto, before the kids return. It is apparent Duneedon wants to give them more than congratulations. ""We will meet again,"" he says, ""and next time I will not be defeated so easily!""Duneedon escapes to Trialviron, leaving the post of Herbertville mayor empty. Councillor Ann Blake has decided to run for the job. It is the vehicle that persuades Chris, Lynne, and Sam to continue publishing The Herbertville Chronicle.