Not quiet what I expected....

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 anyting 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 queues 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.

1. 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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