Muffintops—Master George’s cat. Can’t speak English, but loves milk.

Multiverse—A term used by Reality Prime scientists to explain the theory that quantum physics has created multiple versions of the universe.

Nanolocator—A microscopic electronic device that can crawl into a person’s skin and forever provide information on their whereabouts and Chi’karda levels, among other information.

Nitwit—The unfortunately named servant child of Mistress Jane. Like those before her, Nitwit has been given the ability to fly, based on a manipulation of Chi’karda. Replaced Jane’s prior child servant, Nincompoop.

Norbert Johnson—A post office worker in Macadamia, Alaska. Is terrified of Mistress Jane based on only one encounter.

Paul Rogers—A thirteen-year-old Realitant recruit from Florida. Loves surfing and playing the piano.

Pick—Master George’s nickname for a major decision in which a person’s Chi’karda levels spike considerably. Some Picks have been known to create or destroy entire Realities.

Quantum Physics—The science that studies the physical world of the extremely small. Most scholars are baffled by its properties and at a loss to explain them. Theories abound. Only a few know the truth: that a completely different power rules this realm, which in turn rules the universe: Chi’karda.

Realitants—An organization sworn to discover and charter all known Realities. Founded in the 1970s by a group of scientists from the Fourth Reality, the early Realitants used Barrier Wands to recruit other quantum physicists from other Realities. Their focus changes when one of their best betrays them and they decide they must seek out not only people of science, but those who have the courage, intelligence, and strength—along with the innocence of youth—to fight in the coming months and years.

Realities—A separate and complete version of the world, of which there may be an infinite number. The most stable and strongest reality is called Reality Prime. So far, twelve major branches of Reality Prime have been discovered. Realities are created and destroyed by enormous fluctuations in Chi’karda levels.

Fourth—Much more technologically advanced than the other Realities, due to the remarkable vision and work of Hans Schtiggenschlubberheimer.

Fifth—Quirks in evolution led to a very tall human race.

Eighth—The world is covered in water due to much higher temperatures, caused by a star fusion anomaly triggered in another galaxy by an alien race.

Eleventh—Quirks in evolution and diet led to a short and robust human race.

Thirteenth—A mutated and very powerful version of Chi’karda exists here. It is a world full of magic and darkness.

Reginald Chu—Tick’s science teacher who shares the same name as the person in the Fourth Reality who founded Chu Industries and turned it into a worldwide empire. They may be Alterants of each other.

Rutger—A Realitant from the Eleventh Reality, he is best friends with Mothball. Works as Master George’s right-hand man in the Command Center. Loves to throw rocks at Tick.