Sterndeck looked down at the smiling grey skinned figure, and just
shook his head. It didn't help that this "man" who claimed to be the personification
of the under-working rules of a universe looked very much like the character
from that silly cartoon he'd watched as a youngster. It didn't help that
he looked like the android/doctor who'd been placed inside the U.S. government,
in the movie, to allay fiears about the "green radiation from outer space."
Fact was, if this guy freaked out and around anything that glowed green,
Sterndeck was ready to run! Not that he'd get very far.
This "179" had proven to be the most frightening person he'd ever met...and
he'd displayed a casual manner of answers all questions BEFORE asked....along
with vast displays of magic that Sterndeck had only seen rivaled by these
days when there were multiple Crystallics about....and Sterneck had a sinking
feeling that 179 wasn't even trying very hard.
All that and giving out EVERY secret code, sign and countersign that
nobody but he and a few in the Military knew....AND telling every secret
that Sterndeck and only Sterndeck knew about his life.....
If nothing else, 179 had proven to Sterndeck that he was very much worthy
to listen to seriously!
"Okaaay, I think we can turn my people back into humans....." the Captain
said in a steady voice....in a calm he didn't feel. "I believe you. Thanks."
The mages had taken one look at 179 and had believed him right off.
Next time (if there was a next time), he'd take his ques from those magic
users!
Sterndeck visibly relaxed as the confused looking rabbits changed back
into equally confused human beings. Confused or not, they went back to
doing their duties, and the various....er...."guests" went back to being
"guests."
There still was much to learn about just WHY they were fighting out
front. The Military didn't like things like that happening so close to
their bases...made people nervous and all that.....
"Sorry for being showy," 179 says humbly. "But you did ask."
"Making the moon disappear was a nice touch," Fred 5 said solemnly.
"I think we're going to have a lot of hysterical people when we get back
home."
"No....only a few selected....level head people like you and your analogs
will remember," 179 smiled. "I'm not here to cause headaches....not like
when I was first sent to deal with the Atlantians"
Distaste dripped from that last word.....
"But not to sound unthankful for all that you've done," Fred continued,
smiling. "After all, I and Astra....Astra 5 owe you much for bringing us
together like you did."
179's humanoid face flushed a little darker grey in modesty before nodding.
"I promised to go about making a few things clear here, ass I was Ordered
to do," the Rule said. "So here I am."
A wave of dizziness passes through various members of the "guests" and
suddenly their accent shift to what is the Terra Prime norm for the countries
they hale from. This makes communicating MUCH easier.
"Now, for a few answers," 179 says.
Another wave, and information suddenly floods into the adventurers minds.
179 had been ordered by his Higher Ups (what that exactly was left unclear)
to take care of a paradox before it ripped apart this universe. Presently,
there were two (!) unauthorized Crystallics on Terra Prime. After the destruction
of the slipgates, there should be none. But since the holder of one Crystallic
WAS the Crystallic (through him drinking it), and others were part of the
other Crystallic because they'd imbibed from it.....
Just turning the Crystallics off would prove to be....fatal to these
people. That wasn't what the Higher Ups wanted. So 179 was here to personally
take a careful hand at this mess.
With the release of so much magical energy, the criteria for a direct,
personal visit by a Rule was mandatory! Now, with the destruction of the
Crystallic this should be the ONLY time he's needed....and 179 sincerely
hopes that this combined trip for the new adventueres and the older ones
will be the it.
They don't even feel anything as 179 reaches out, metaphysically, and
removes the Atlantian essence from the people.
Some things are readily apparent to some of them, however.
"I left the life-span alone so you'll be around as long as would have
been if you still had the Crystallic within you," 179 tells the surprised
demifox mage. "I would offer to change you back to being a dragon but....."
"I like being a demifox...." Synizn said softly, drawing a few looks
of disbelief from various new Freds and Astras.
They say nothing, however. It's the strange mage's choice.
The sister to Black Astra is openly staring at her newly restored skin...and
hair. This was....a lot to take in. She now knows what an analog was....and
what it meant. She wsa Astra....but they were also called Astra. However,
they all were unique....but like sisters. That jolt of information had
halted an approaching slide into insanity.
The revelation from Queen Astra, Head of Church and State of Aqualaria
had made it crystal clear where she stood about the other Astra's conceiving
out of wedlock. As THE head of Diane's Rangers (this worlds version of
the church that the sister of Black Astra had belong to) had said, under
an edict more than 100 years old (!) that......Rangers need not be chaste.
The Queen had shown her the papers....the teachings....and her ring of
authority.
Atriemis wasn't angered by what had happened......
And thus the life that was growing in her womb (179 had placed the children
BACK)....wasn't an abomination.
And thus....she would actually return the feeling that her Fred had
shown her....frightening though that thought was to the proud Amazonian.
She looked down at her Fred, who was on one knee, having proposed marriage.
Tears fill her eyes.
"Yes," she whispers, surrendering her heart to this man.
Clapping and shouts of congratulation causes both this Astra and Fred
to blink in consternation.
-
 Attention then
turns to Fred the Oathbreaker, the man who proved that not all Freds who
come to Terra Prime are fated to fall in love.....
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