Nick's new college roommate, Darryl, needs some help. At first glance, Nick thinks he's a real dork. And what's with the briefcase? But Darryl's problem is literally "out of this world." If his enemies catch up with him, his race is doomed!
Mr. Flinn's best students go to the space museum a few hours away from Tellis, their planet. But Mr. Flinn is fed up with them. They argue. And they don't get along. They certainly aren't setting an example for the best and brightest Tellis has to offer. But on the way home, Mr. Flinn is knocked out when their self-driving space bus is hit by a space rock, which knocks out the engine. The eight sixth graders have to figure out how to work together, especially when they learn something more sinister than a rock disabled their bus.