A pioneering journey on a space elevator reveals more than expected. The appearance of two doll-like children holds immeasurable dangers for Earth. Some things can be too close for comfort. We've all got at least one friend with a mad talent, but what about a friend with a truly terrifying gift? One woman's health checkup reveals that Earth's quest for new worlds might just have gotten a whole lot easier. These five stories may be concepts still in the What If phase, but we can only progress when we broaden our imagination beyond our narrower world view. Then again, being narrow- minded is at least safe and comfy.