|  Author | Topic: Ruby In The Sky With Greenguys (Read 753 times) |
MelMac
Guest
|  | Re: Ruby In The Sky With Greenguys
« Reply #40 on Nov 30, 2006, 10:14pm » | |
Ralph and the green guys circled around in the storm, feinting attacks to see who would attack first.
Just then, Murphy lunged forward, and Ralph quickly sidestepped the jump. He then picked up a rock and threw it as hard as he could toward the group. It caught the other green guy in the midsection and the impact flung him back about 50 yards, stunning him.
Ralph turned and faced Murphy, who flung a bolt of lightning from his hand. Ralph put up his arms to shield his face, and felt the impact. Unlike the last time, the lightning stung, and caused him to stagger back. *That hurt,* Ralph thought. *I wonder if my not eating well is affecting the suit’s powers. I need to put these guys out of commission and regroup quickly, or we’ll all die.*
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HD, Tatt and Jack were huddled behind the table again, with Jack keeping a close eye on Mel. She had been ill again, and Jack knew that she couldn’t handle more of this.
“Look here, HD, I can’t take it anymore,” Jack said. “Ralph needs help, and I’m going to help him.”
“No Jack, you’re not going out. Ralph can handle this on his own.”
Jack got up from behind the table and looked out the window. Though the storm was whipping around the grass and other items, he could see Ralph fighting the green critters. He grimaced when he saw Ralph get hit with the lightning bolt, but, unlike last time, he staggered back, and looked dazed.
“Damn it, HD, Ralph’s getting hurt. He got hit with a lightning bolt before, and it didn‘t hurt him. This time, it’s dazed him. I don’t think he’ll survive many more if he continues.”
“Jack, I’m warning you. …” HD threatened. He felt as though if Jack helped Ralph and got hurt, something tragic would happen in the long run.
“I’m going, and nothing you say will change that I. …” His rant was cut off when he received a right cross from HD. Jack slumped down to the ground, out cold.
“Sorry, Jack, I can’t let you go out there,” HD said. “Tatt, go and find something I can bind his hands together.”
“HD, I’m going out there,” Tatt said simply, bringing the rope.
“Now don‘t you start with the heroics. Mel is still having problems with the drug, and I need someone to take care of her as while I’m the storm lookout.”
“Look, HD, this all seems out of place, and you know something I don’t. You needn’t say what, but if I don’t help Ralph, I think we’ll all die. Now you can try to knock me out too, but I’m just as good a fighter and you know it.”
HD looked at him and nodded. He knew Tatt’s punches were just as hard. “All right, you go. If Jack asks when he comes to, I’ll say you just copied my hit and left. I’ll keep an eye on Mel.”
Tatt grabbed a rope and six-shooter. He went out in the storm, walking out in the storm and knowing he needed to help Ralph, and soon.
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Bill still had the knife pointed at Fokus. “Now, start talking. What is so important about the rubies that you’d try to get Ralph to give up the suit,” Bill said. Dr. Torus lay on the floor. He had just come around, but not before Pam had gotten Bill’s handcuffs from his pocket and cuffed Torus’ hands together.
“The suit allows him to travel anywhere and destroy this ship, you know that. Keeping him in the past is an added bonus, as we want California as well. Although you might have won this battle, Ralph must still make the decision,” Fokus said.
“Really, well, maybe we can tell him,” Bill said. “What makes them so special. And none of that double talk, fella. I can make it more difficult for you as well.”
“The rubies are an energy source for our spaceships, but there are some that are good and some that are deadly.”
“Keep talking,” threatened Bill.
“There are asters, or stars as you say, in the rubies, focus the energy toward the center. The ones with red asters bring positive energy, which powers our ships, ones with a black asters destroy. When someone has both at one time, they cancel each other out and become normal star rubies. Not that it matters, you know, you can‘t tell Ralph about them, he‘s in the past, and you’re here.”
“Right, well since you showed us that he can sense us in the past, so he’ll probably sense we know,” Bill said.
“Maybe, but maybe not,” Fokus said, glancing at Dr. Torus.
“He’s right,” said Torus. “Ralph can tell whether you are all right or not, but that’s it, so your at a stalemate. Ralph will have to choose.”
Pam and Bill looked at each other. “Why don’t we try to get off the ship,” Pam said. “We could relay a message through the storm to Ralph.”
“That’s a great idea Counselor,” said Bill. Once they tied Fokus up, Pam and Bill looked at the control panel. “Which button do we punch?” said Pam.
When the green guys balked, Bill grabbed Dr. Torus by the scruff of his collar. “Well, answer the lady,” he said.
Dr. Torus nodded to a button on the control panel. Bill and Pam pressed the button, and the last thing they saw was a sudden bolt of electricity.
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Ralph crouched low as he and Murphy circled around. The other green guy seemed to be having trouble getting up from the rock Ralph threw. Ralph himself started to feel weaker, and noticed his vision would blur slightly on occasion. *This is definitely not good,* Ralph thought *I better keep my wits about me though so he doesn’t see my temporary Achilles heel.*
“If you think you’ll defeat us Ralph, you have another thing coming,” Murphy said.
“Well, I’m not the one who tried to unlevel the playing field,” Ralph mocked.
The two were about to face off again, when Ralph saw a figure moving toward them. It wasn‘t a green guy. Murphy looked at Ralph and grinned, knowing Ralph would do whatever he could to protect those in this time period.
Ralph noticed the murderous glare in Murphy’s eyes. “Get out of here, Tatt,” Ralph shouted.
“Don’t worry Ralph, I’ve got my gun, and have come to help,” Tatt said continuing forward.
Suddenly, Murphy shot out a bolt of lightning not toward Ralph, but toward Tatt. The bolt struck inches from Tatt, sending up debris, which struck him in the head. He fell to the ground as the storm was coming closer to him.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ralph ran over to Tatt and picked him up in a fireman’s carry. He then took three steps and flew toward the cabin. *We can settle this later,* Ralph thought about Murphy.
Murphy smiled at Ralph’s reaction. *So, you’ll always help your fellow man. Well, this fight can wait a little longer, that is, if the tornado doesn’t do the work for me.* He and the other green guy, who had recovered, flew away to a location where they could see the impending disaster.
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“What happened to Tatt,” HD said as Ralph placed him down on the ground. Ralph checked Tatt’s pulse, looked into his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.
“He was hit by some debris from a lightning bolt,” Ralph said. “He’s probably got a concussion, won't know 'til he wakes up. Why did he go out to help me?”
“I tried to stop him Ralph, but he insisted that you needed his help,” HD said. “I had to hit Jack to keep him from going out, but Tatt would have done the same to me if I refused.”
“Well, can’t have all of you hurt,” Ralph mused. “How’s Mel?”
“Don’t know exactly. She’s come around a few times, but has been ill each time. Whatever it was the green fellers put in the whiskey has really affected her.”
*Not good. It must have a stronger effect on those without the suit’s protection,* Ralph thought. “Well, HD, I don’t know what it was, but I need you to try to keep her awake the next time she comes round. Also, make sure she gets some fluids into her.”
“Like chicken broth?” HD asked, and Ralph nodded as he stood. Suddenly, the room spun around, forcing Ralph to sit down. Carrying Tatt used up the last of his stregnth, and he barely had any reserves left. “Ralph, you all right?”
“I had a dizzy spell, and before you ask, this time it was real,” Ralph said. “Do you have anything I can eat?”
“Well, not much. There’s food under that bunk there.”
“I don’t know about that,” Ralph said. “Has anyone unusual been in the bedroom area recently?”
“No, just the five of us, and it’s been that way all day. Plus, the food’s tinned, and can’t be broken into without being noticeable. So help yourself, I know you need it to defeat the bad guys.”
Ralph nodded and got the food, opening it up and quickly eating eat. As he was eating, Jack came around, groaning. “HD, you scoundrel, what’d you do that for?” he growled, looking at his bound hands.
“Sorry, but I said you couldn’t go out.”
Jack saw Tatt lying on the ground. “Well, did Tatt have the same request?”
Before HD could speak, Ralph responded. “Tatt managed to sneak out without HD looking and tried to help me fight the green critters. They shot a lightning bolt near him, causing a mini explosion, and he was hit in the head. He’s unconscious and probably has a concussion. So, it didn’t matter, you’d have been in the same boat as Tatt.”
Jack lowered his head in shame. “Well, did you get the bad guys,” he said.
“No, but for some reason, they let me come back here. Don’t know why, except for maybe they think the storm will do the work for them.”
“Which is nearing us again,” HD said. We’d better get down behind the table. As all of them huddled, the necklace with the bad ruby slipped out from Ralph’s tunic and landed on the ground. As the storm tore through again, Ralph noticed something unusual he didn’t notice the first time. There was field of some sort around the entire group and though the storm was rough, the field kept strong.
HD and Jack were also amazed at the sight and looked at Ralph, their thoughts clicking at the same time. Ralph just shrugged, not knowing how this was happening himself, though he knew it had something to do with the rubies and the suit combined. What made them special enough to protect them, Ralph pondered.
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Bill and Pam slowly opened their eyes and looked around. They were in a room of some sort, and while they couldn’t tell where exactly they were, they knew Fokus and Dr. Torus were not in the room.
“Counselor, are you OK?” Bill asked.
“Fine considering I feel as though I was hit by a bolt of lightning again.”
A third, different voice filtered through the air. “You basically were, Mrs. Hinkley, but rest assured, that wasn’t as bad as what could happen.”
A door suddenly swung open, and Bill stood in front of Pam, who covered her eyes.
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As the storm finished crossed over, Ralph began to feel better. He had eaten the contents of two tins about an hour ago, and hadn’t felt any ill effects, so he was sure that it hadn’t been messed with.
He thought about how close he came to giving up the rubies to the green guys. It had seemed almost too easy to give them up. *I wonder if in my weakened state they were able to use some kind of mind push on me,* he thought. *I know I wasn’t going to give the rubies to them. If they are used to power their ships, why do they use them to destroy? And, why would they offer to keep Pam, Bill and me alive after getting what they want? It’s not logical, since they’ve tried to drug me to get the rubies. No, that was a ruse to try to get me to give them up.* He realized that Tatt had saved all their lives by coming out after all, even though he’ll have a headache when he comes to from it.
His mind turned towards Pam and Bill. He hadn’t felt any vibes that they were in danger, so he was certain they were all right, at least for now. Ralph hoped that maybe the two got information from the other green guys that would help him destroy the right ruby.
He looked at Mel, who Jack, after HD released his hands, was taking care of again. She was pale, and probably dehydrated from everything she’d been through. Jack had been able to get her to drink something the last time she came around, which helped her improve, but couldn’t keep her awake. She was now mumbling something unintelligible, and Ralph couldn’t decipher it.
Ralph looked down and saw that one of the rubies had slipped from his tunic. He picked it up and tucked it into the sleeve of his shirt. When he saw no one looking, he shook out the front of the tunic and placed the other ruby in the other sleeve, not realizing he canceled out the two again.
“HD, how does it look outside,” Ralph asked.
“It looks better,” HD said. “Well, I guess for what we can call better now. Take a look at the maple, Ralph. Now we’ve been through several storms that make typhoons look like a gentle rain, but the maple is not damaged. Odd that. Anyway, how are the others.”
“Well, I checked on Tatt, he’s still out, but his breathing and heart are still strong,” Ralph said.
“Mel’s getting better, but she won’t stay awake for longer than a couple of minutes,” Jack said. “I’m really worried about her, Ralph. I love her too much to let some green critters’ drug kill her. I hope you get them, Ralph.”
Ralph nodded. He too was worried about Mel. If she died from this, it would he would disappear. The bad green guys were trying to get him, but instead got Mel. He prayed that she would stay awake long enough to get the food she needed to survive this. Right now, all Ralph could do was wait until the bad green guys made their move.
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“Come on, not again, Ralph has to be the luckiest suit wearer they’ve ever had,” groaned Murphy as he saw the cabin was undamaged.
“Don’t worry, my colleague, we are at an advantage. Ralph realizes he’s protecting the others in the cabin when he’s there, and that is affecting his decision. Mel being drugged instead of him was an inadvertent bonus, and soon he’ll make a decision that will be a mistake. When he does that, we’ll pounce on it.”
The two grinned and continued their vigil on the cabin. It was only a matter of time, they both mused again.
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houdiniderek
Guest
| | Re: Ruby In The Sky With Greenguys
« Reply #41 on Nov 30, 2006, 10:15pm » | |
Babs walked into the room containing Pam and Bill.
"What's the big idea?" Bill blurted out. "We need to go save Ralph."
"Unfortunately, you are here because you cannot go. If you go into the past, you might alter the future more or worse...get killed yourselves. Ralph has not destroyed the correct ruby yet. So, if you go back in time and try to help him, you are vulnerable. I don't know much about Ralph, but he might give up if one or both of you die. You will have to stay here for the remainder." Babs turned and left...the lock clicking in place behind her.
"Lousy green creeps," Bill muttered. Pam sat down and closed her eyes...this could take days.
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Kevin Hinkley still slept in Pam's car. Hours had passed, but his day had been very exciting and tomorrow was Saturday, so he got to sleep in anyway. His dreams were full of chocolate cake and cartoons. He let out a small, brief snore, and then continued his doze in silence.
Outside the car, the fog was inching closer. Within the hour, the car would be consumed.
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Ralph looked outside and saw no one, but was not fooled. He had regained a lot of his strength back and had slept some. Jack was still caring for Mel, who was not looking very good at the moment. Tatt was cooking some more soup. HD was gazing out the window by his side.
"Ain't right out there, Ralph." HD spoke quietly and could barely be heard. "They could tear you apart or you them and yet, y'all jest set here. Why?"
"I don't know, HD." Ralph gazed outside again. The sky was still overcast, but no tornado had come for some time.
"I reckon this means that you are doing what they want."
"I thought of that, but I don't know how to prove it." Ralph felt the rubies in his sleeves and began to wonder if he could figure them out. He left his window post and went back to the upright table. He took the rubies out and gazed at them. One had a pink star and one had a grey star. That was no help. Both were identical.
"Any luck?" HD asked, coming up beside him.
Ralph shook his head and thought back to the one he had in the safety deposit box...or had at one point until it had shown up here. It must have been the one that turned to dust because it would still exist in the present unless he destroyed it, which he had not. *Okay, good. Now, what did it look like? I never remember a star in it. Maybe they are both fake. Maybe my being here is doing nothing...and maybe that is the whole point* Ralph's eyes glazed over. This could have been a charade...and he walked right into it and started changing history.
"You okay, Ralph?" HD tapped him and Ralph started. After assuring HD that he was fine, he stared at them some more. HD resumed his post at the window.
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Murphy had rested and so had his comrade. Now, they waited. The fog had to be intensifying and Ralph had to be going nuts, especially not knowing if Bill and Pam were okay. Sure, he could feel their pain, but he could not feel their deaths, especially if it were done in a non-threatening manner...like the drug in the whiskey.
*A shame he did not drink it. Of course, since no human can survive a sip, we will still win because his ancestor will die and he will cease to be.* Murphy allowed himself a smirk and stared at the cabin. He glanced at his watch.
"How long?" his companion asked.
"She should be gone in about an hour max," Murphy said. He reclined back into the arm of the tree and stared at the cabin.
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Jack was still soaking a cloth in water and trying to get Mel's fever down. She had vomited again, but this time, she had hacked and coughed throughout, making Jack believe that she was worse. He was sure that she would not survive another day without help, but he knew that the only person to help was Ralph...and he was not doing so well on his own problem right now it seemed. Jack went back to wetting the cloth.
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A US weather satellite came into orbit over Arizona at 8:30pm local time. It scanned the massive fog front covering Arizona. On a wide screen, it showed that parts of New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and across the border into Mexico. People had been advised to stay in their homes because of the danger. At the rate it was going, the satellite relayed calculations to Washington, DC. that stated a larger radius should be informed.
Minutes later, the red phone rang in the Oval Office.
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MelMac
Guest
| | Re: Ruby In The Sky With Greenguys
« Reply #42 on Nov 30, 2006, 10:16pm » | |
The president of the United States picked up the phone. He had been listening to reports on the increasing fog with increasing concern. He had heard reports from states around Arizona about planes disappearing without a trace. They all had entered the Arizona borders.
“Mr. President, we have received information that this fog is increasing its diameter. You must authorize a wider evacuation areas.”
The president nodded to himself. *Better to do this quietly than cause a panic.* “All right, I authorize you to expand the evacuation area. Check on Dr. Hasburgh’s campsite. It was near the border of the fog originally, and we haven’t heard word from him or his assistant for some time. If you find them, bring them to a safety area for debriefing.”
“Will do, Mr. President.”
The president hung up the phone and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He realized that the doctor and his assistant might have disappeared in the fog as well, and any information they had disappeared with them. All he could do was wait.
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“Come on, Bill, quit pacing around, your making me go crazy,” said Pam.
“Counselor, I need to think. We need to tell Ralph about the two rubies, but we can’t because Babsy there and her green guy friends said we couldn’t go. Well, I’m not going to listen to them.”
Bill reached out and touched the door. He received a zap of static electricity that sent him head over heels. He landed in front of Pam, shaking his numb hand.
“Those guys weren’t kidding when they said we couldn’t go. How’s your hand Bill,” said Pam.
“I think it’ll be all right, though I must have received enough static electricity to restart an ENIAC computer.” Bill groused. “Well, Counselor, unless they let us go, which I doubt, we’re in here for the duration. At least I don’t have to let Carlisle beat me at checkers.”
The two sat back down on the floor, thinking about Ralph and wondering what he was doing.
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In the cabin, a half hour had passed, and Ralph was still staring at the rubies. He knew there was something about them that helped them out through the last tornado, but he didn’t know what it was.
HD brought over another mug of soup. He needed to talk to Ralph alone. Tatt was eating some soup as well. He had come round about an hour and a half prior, and though he had a mild concussion, seemed to be doing well. Jack was trying to cool down Mel’s temperature, but seemed to have little effect. He was now rocking her, trying to soothe her delirium-filled nightmares.
HD turned to Ralph and spoke quietly, “Ralph, have you found out anything about the rubies?”
“No, they look exactly the same save the color of the stars in them. I’m not even sure the one I remember had one, and these could both be bad rubies.” he said. “Right now, I feel like I’m playing Russian Roulette with all but one chambers full. If I destroy the wrong one, everything will be destroyed, and I’ll be responsible.”
“Seems a man has to make a choice, Ralph. Every choice has consequences,” he said.
*‘Murphy’s law,’ huh? Seems fitting given our green enemy is named that,* Ralph mused. “If I could remember which one I saw originally, then it wouldn’t be a problem, I could crush the stone and be done with it. It’s just. …”
“HD, Ralph, Mel’s stopped breathing,” shouted Jack, placing Mel on the ground and patting her face in a futile attempt to get her to start breathing.
Ralph jumped up from the table and ran over to Mel. In his haste, he kept the ruby with the red aster in his hand and left the black one on the table. Noticing this and not wanting to make Jack mad on top of worried in this crisis, he put it down his tunic.
“Get out of the way, Jack, let me help her,” Ralph said. He began giving her artificial respiration.
“What the hell are you doing Ralph, have you gone mad?” Jack yelled and tried to shove him out of the way.
“Let me work, Jack,” Ralph responded, shoving Jack a little too hard. Jack slid back about ten feet into the wall. Tatt, still a bit dazed from the concussion, chuckled at the sight. Realizing this was serious, however, he sobered up quickly.
HD went over to Jack, putting a hand on his shoulder gently. “Look, let’s let Ralph try to save her, Jack. It seems he knows what he’s doing. Praying wouldn’t hurt either.” The two of them sat there and prayed for Mel, hoping Ralph knew what he was doing.
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Murphy and the other green guy, named Fred, turned to each other and smiled. “This couldn’t be better,” said Fred. “After throwing a 200-mile per hour rock at me, he should have to deal with what he’s dealing with. I still have a knot in my stomach.”
The two were listening to the group in the cabin argue about how to help save Mel. They heard the thud of Jack hitting the wall and Ralph desperately try to save Mel.
Murphy nodded his head. “As they say, paybacks a pill. I think we ought to stay here for a while and see Ralph fail. It’s so interesting to see humans disintegrate before your eyes,” he chuckled.
They both sat in the maple and waited for the moment they would hear Ralph cry out in anguish and defeat, their guess it‘d be within five minutes. Then, they could step in and wait for Ralph to disappear and take the rubies and the suit. It’d be so easy, after the grief Ralph had dealt them all this time.
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Three Jeeps traveled to Dr. Hasburgh’s campsite. “Men, go search the campsite for any sign of the doctor and his assistant,” shouted the general. He was a tough man, but even he couldn’t hide his fear about the increasing fog.
“There’s no one here,” said the lieutenant. “No sign of either person.”
“All right, we better get a move on, the fog is nearly here, in fact, it’s almost near the car. …” He realized that no one had searched the car. The fog was lapping at the edges of the frame. “Drake, go search the car.”
The lieutenant went toward the car, shielding his eyes from the increasing wind near the fog. Once he reached the car, he looked inside. “Sir, there’s a young boy in the car, asleep.”
“Well, get him out of there Drake, we’ll take him to one of the storm shelters,” said the general. He picked up a walkie-talkie and spoke. “All, there is no sign of Dr. Hasburgh nor Babs. They are missing and presumed dead. We have found one survivor near the fog, and will be taking him to the shelters. Return to quarters.”
Drake picked up Kevin and carried him to the Jeep. The group headed down the road toward the fog shelters, still glancing at the storm. It seemed to proceed at a slightly faster pace, but the group gained ground away from it and headed toward the shelter, knowing the fog was more than what it seemed.
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As he continued his lifesaving efforts, Ralph began to tire. He had been trying to get Mel to start breathing again for three minutes, but had little, if any, success.
HD and Jack had tears in their eyes. They didn’t want to tell Ralph he was doing no good, but also didn’t know who could break it to him. HD felt it’d be best if he’d get Ralph to stop, though he was ready to use force if Ralph refused and got belligerent. “Ralph, I’m sorry, it’s over son, she’s not going to breathe again,” he said.
“HD, let me keep trying. Mel’s not dead, not yet, she still has a chance. People have stopped breathing for a bit longer, and they’ve survived. Please,” nodding toward HD’s fisted hand. Though the suit gave him some protection even in this time frame, Ralph knew HD knew he could be knocked out and didn't want to raise the man's ire.
HD looked down and realized Ralph knew he would have punched him. “All right, if you think it’ll do good, but not much longer. We need to let her rest in peace.”
*If you only knew all the reasons why I’m doing this,* Ralph thought. As he placed his hand under Mel’s neck to tilt her head back again, he suddenly felt a little warm inside. He thought it odd since he had been feeling cold, as Mel was dying, his life was fading too. He glanced at his arms, and noticed the suit had changed to a slightly different, brighter shade of red, which traveled to the top of the collar of his tunic. Ralph bent down to breathe for Mel again, and after a few breaths, Mel gasped and started breathing again, fast at first, then slowed closer to normal. He went to check her pulse, and found it was a bit fast, but still there, and though still pale, her color returned somewhat.
Ralph turned to look at HD and Jack, who were staring incredulously at the sight before them. They had seen Ralph actually save Mel‘s life when it seemed hopeless. “You did it Ralph, by george, you did it,” shouted HD. Tatt sat near the fire, smiled and prayed a silent prayer of thanks.
Jack, at a loss for words, just hugged Ralph, but the expression meant enough. “Well, she’s not quite out of the woods yet, given what she's been through, but I think she‘ll be all right,” Ralph said smiling slightly.
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Fifteen minutes passed since Fred and Murphy heard Jack’s shout and Ralph trying to save Mel’s life. They knew there would have been some sign of Ralph’s failure, so they knew something was wrong.
“She must have survived, but how,” said Fred.
“Must have been the suit. Ralph doesn’t know every power in the suit, or we‘d been defeated. He must keep picking up the right ruby at the right time. I don’t think he knows yet, otherwise he would have crushed the black aster ruby. We’ll have to wait and see, he’ll mess up soon and it will be time to fight again. No one will be able to help him.” Their vigil continued.
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“Well, how did you do that,” Jack finally said after he could find his voice.
“I learned a technique that will save the lives of others who stopped breathing,” Ralph started.
“No, how did you get the long johns to glow? It looked normal at first, but then that last time, when you placed your hand under Mel’s neck, it changed color to a slightly brighter red and began to faintly glow.”
“I don’t know, Jack, but it’s something that the clothing does, I don’t know exactly what. It worked, and Mel is alive, but. ...” Suddenly he started feeling queasy, and turned away to throw up in a bucket near the fireplace. Jack and HD rubbed his back until he was finished, helped him clean up and offered him a glass of water and a bowl of soup.
“Are you all right, Ralph. I mean, whatever happened to Mel could have happened to you as well,” said HD.
“No, I’m all right. I think whatever the suit did to save Mel’s life could have given me the queasy stomach, or could have been an aftereffect of whatever it was that affected her. When the suit changed color, it must have taken out most, if not all the drug from Mel.…” he stopped, realizing what must have happened.
“What’s wrong, Ralph,” said HD.
“I know what happened. You know how Mel had a sip of the whiskey that was drugged? The green critters were trying to use it on me so I’d be senseless and not be able to protect you. But I didn‘t drink it, and wouldn‘t have because of some things that happened on the ride.”
“So, what’s that got to do with Mel?” prodded Jack.
“Well, when Mel took a sip of the whiskey, she took some of the drug. But I have the suit on, and while it might have only knocked me out, it might have been so strong that no one without the suit’s protection could survive. My being here nearly killed Mel.”
“No, Ralph, you’ve been trying to save us, that’s not your fault, it’s those ornery cusses',” HD said.
Ralph nodded. HD did have a point. “You’re right, HD. Right now, we need to keep an eye on Mel to make sure she doesn’t stop breathing again, though I think she‘ll be fine. I need to think of a way to stop those two green guys from attacking us again.”
As everybody got started on some task, Ralph walked toward the table again, and looked at the other ruby lying there. When he picked it up, he oddly felt a little weaker than he had the past few minutes after saving Mel’s life. *Must be the adrenaline rush fading out,* Ralph said as he untucked the other ruby from his sleeve. The red star shined faintly in the firelight. *There’s something about these rubies that’s helping me out,* Ralph thought.
Thinking back, he realized that’s he’d only had one ruby on his person each time they’ve been in a disastrous or near-fatal situation. *So that’s the reason why we’ve been protected and I was able to save Mel’s life. I'm not going crazy. They’re real, and must have some sort of energy in them that is powerful and helpful, or destructive as well. But, have I used them both or just one? Damn, I’m still in a stalemate on the choice, but at least I know it‘s something. These rubies are not a charade to get me here. They‘re important, but what is their importance?*
He turned to look at the other four. HD was back at storm lookout. Jack was tending to Mel, who hadn’t thrown up since Ralph helped save her life. Mel’s color was returning to near normal, but she hadn’t woken up yet. Tatt was walking around, trying to stay awake. He was afraid to sleep, given his head injury, and was trying to keep busy. Ralph sighed and tried to figure out what the rubies actually did to help Ralph all these times. He knew they were vital to all their existence, and the rogue green guys knew that if he destroyed the right one, they could never take over Earth. *They’ll stop at nothing to get these rubies and the suit,* Ralph mused. *I’ve got to figure out the secret soon, before they try to kill any of us again.*
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|
houdiniderek
Guest
| | Re: Ruby In The Sky With Greenguys
« Reply #43 on Nov 30, 2006, 10:17pm » | |
The President picked up the red phone and his face sank at what he heard. He thanked the caller and hung up.
"Initiate wildfire." His staff raced from the room. The President sat down as the phone rang again.
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"Mr. President? Lt. Drake. I have come from Dr. Hasburgh's campsite. We found nothing...just a young boy who is still asleep...maybe six years old or so. Mr. President, this fog is dangerous. The general put his hand into it and collapsed. We pulled him out, but his hand was gone...completely destroyed. *Listens* Yes, sir. We took wildfire initiatives here already. That can be done in a radius around the fog in about twenty minutes...on the US side. Sir, you need to call Mexico. Thank you, sir." Drake hung up and looked around. The faces of his men said it all...this one was not going to be easy.
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Ralph had both rubies again and was trying to determine what to do with them. The pink and grey stars did nothing and he had no other way to distinguish them. Mel was still weak, but she was starting to fail again. *How could the poison be so bad?* Ralph had only a second to ask himself that before he fainted.
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Fokus struggled against his bonds, but could not get any leverage to undo them. Dr. Torus was still out cold...having fainted after an earlier recovery. The surprise attack had thrown them for a loop. He only hoped that Hinkley had not caught on to the reason why the attack had been successful. He concentrated and thought of Murphy.
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"Yes, Mr. President." The President had just gotten off the phone with an angry Mexican President, but had assured him that the US was suffering just as much as Mexico was...probably more. Only after that assurance had Mexico invited the US's help in stopping the advancing fog.
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HD revived Ralph, who sat up slowly. He still had both rubies clenched in his hands and was back behind the re-overturned table. Ralph looked questioningly at HD.
" 'nother tornado whilst you were out," HD said sadly. He helped Ralph to his feet and Ralph stumbled over to the window...and gasped.
A four-lane highway was running down the path and telephone poles were on each side...yet it stopped at the cabin. Ralph went to the small back window over the sink. On one side of the back yard was the old maple, somehow young again...on the other side was a Motel 6! Ralph walked back to the chair by the overturned table and sat down hard. *What the hell was going on here?* Before he could answer that question, Murphy walked through the side wall.
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Drake sat in a tank and watched the fog consume the car he had found the little boy in earlier. Nothing seemed to be happening to the car, but the fog seemed to devour it. He knew better and had his men hold steady...if something did not happen soon, retreat would happen regardless.
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Pam slept on Bill's shoulder. Bill had been staring intensely at the door for some time, willing the green guys to read his mind and open the door or to let them know what was going on. So far, nothing. The little midget green guy that made funny noises had left food, but nothing else. Apparently, they had to sit this one out.
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Ralph rose unsteadily, but Murphy did not advance. Tatt and HD stood by Ralph as Jack took up a defensive station in front of Mel. Murphy merely smiled...almost in sympathy.
"Mr. Hinkley, can you not see that you cannot win? The past outside is changing to become the present...your time is nearly up...ironically. You need to decide and destroy a ruby. Otherwise, the decision will be made for you based on motives alone. You have a choice...you need to make it."
"How can it be changing? Why is it happening so quickly?" Ralph was determined to ask questions that were not so easy to lie too.
"Because you are weakening. Have you not figured it out yet? The rubies draw their strength from the wearer of the suit. You have had them both for quite some time...they have been drawing on your energy to spread the fog...maintain this past timeline for you to operate in...and even allowed you to save Mel. However, you have taxed yourself to the limit. The present is returning...and it may not be as you remember it. The only way to assure that is by destroying the bad ruby."
"I could destroy them both." Ralph raised his clenched fists and smiled. Murphy was unfazed.
"You could, but that would not have a beneficial effect. As you well know, one of them has to survive...for a very good reason." Murphy did not glance to Mel, but Ralph stiffened. "If you destroy them both, that will not happen now. Of course, if you destroy the wrong ruby, that will not happen either. Therefore, you get one shot at this."
"But these don't look like mine." Ralph never remembered a grey or pink star in his.
"That is because they are not like yours. The gems inside decay over time and give the ruby its aster. Since the rubies are new here, they do not have asters yet and the gem decides which one will be which. Unfortunately, grey and pink are not colors we utilize."
"What does that mean?" Ralph was becoming angry very fast, but his strength was still fading. HD and Tatt were holding him up.
"It means that Fokus has neatly tricked you. He has disguised the true colors of the rubies from you, making it less likely that you will pick the right one."
"But they had asters earlier." Ralph remembered this from saving Mel and the other times that he had been forced to react with the rubies in tow.
"Unfortunately, those were illusions. My associate and I have that power as we are aware of how the rubies operate. If you try them now, you will find no such power of the rubies." Ralph took them out and tried...nothing. Only the grey and pink stars showed now.
"Damn." Ralph swore silently. He got ready to react and his legs buckled. Tatt and HD sat him down. Murphy looked towards Jack.
"Jack, it is up to Ralph to save her. Only by destroying the wrong ruby can it be done. The drug would have worn off on its own. However, Ralph interacted with her while the rubies were in his possession, so she drew from his strength. Her life is tied to the rubies. If Ralph dies or destroys the wrong ruby, so will Mel." Jack's mouth sank open and he turned to Ralph.
Ralph dumped both rubies out into his hand again. He could not remember which one he had worked with before.
"Careful now," HD warned. "They have lied before."
"True," Murphy said. "However, this is the do-or-die moment. We cannot do anything else. Our powers are limited. Better make up your mind, Ralph. In your time, the President is considering sending people into the fog to see what is happening...that could be bad, you know." Murphy smiled and leaned against the wall, waiting. All eyes were on Ralph.
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|
MelMac
Guest
| | Re: Ruby In The Sky With Greenguys
« Reply #44 on Nov 30, 2006, 10:19pm » | |
Ralph looked at the rubies, then at the group around him. Jack had Mel in his arms, keeping an eye on her and knowing he couldn’t help Ralph crush the stone. HD and Tatt hovered near him in case he toppled over. Murphy and Fred just stood there and smiled.
*Great, literally the biggest decision for my life and everyone’s staring,* Ralph thought. He thought about the events that had happened, and realized Mel was involved at least indirectly each time. Not that it seemed to help, he still was the one who had to decide. One ruby would everything to normal, the other death not just to him and Mel but to the world he knew.
He tried to sit up straight to think about his decision, but the room spun. He abruptly hunched over again, HD and Tatt wrapping their arms around his shoulders so he didn’t fall off the chair as well. Ralph knew he didn’t have much longer to make the decision.
*I’ve got to destroy one before I pass out again, or they might never be able to wake me up again, but which ruby? I think this time I'm not playing Russian Roulette, I'm sitting on dynamite.*
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Bill was getting to the point of going crazy and bashing the door in, static or no, when it finally opened. Pam woke up when she heard it open. Babs walked in along with the good green leader. “Mr. Maxwell, Mrs. Hinkley, it’s nearing the time Ralph will make his decision,” said the leader. "Since you can no longer interfere, we decided to let you see what happens."
“So, Ralph hasn’t made a choice yet,” said Pam.
“No.” said the leader. “The other’s plan has almost worked. The rest of the world save the cabin has reverted back to near present day, but the people have not returned. When Ralph decides, he will decide their fates as well. If he chooses incorrectly, he and Mel will die, and the area you know as Arizona will be different from your memory.”
“What does this mean,” Bill said. “That Arizona will be modern day with people on horseback?”
“Not quite. The rogue green guys will be able to take over because it will be devoid of people. The state is rich in mineral resources that would strengthen their defenses. This will allow them to build up forces to take over he rest of the country and ultimately your planet.”
“That stinks,” said Bill. The green leader continued.
“It gets worse. Ralph has to make a decision soon, or it will be made for him by default. The rubies are drawing power from him and the suit, making the fog stronger and keeping the past in the middle of a freeway. Unfortunately they are draining his strength and are making him and Mel weaker. He has already fainted once from drain, and if this happens again before he destroys a ruby, then I’m afraid he will fail and your planet will be doomed.”
“Well, we have to be able to do something, give him the answer. It can't be too late,” said Pam.
“Unfortunately, no,” said Babs. When she got odd looks from the duo, she continued. “I’ve already asked. You know the truth about the asters of the rubies, but the ones Ralph has are fake, they‘re lighter in color. But while fake, the meaning behind them are real. If he destroys the one with the grey star, the world will return to normal. If he destroys the pink one, he and Mel will die and they will win.”
“Murphy is also not helping matters,” said the green guy. “Though you tied them up, Fokus is still able to do a mind push on Murphy to relay his information. Fortunately, Dr. Torus had a relapse and is out cold again, thanks to your fight with him, otherwise it would be more difficult for Ralph. Fred, who he controlled, is still in a trance, so he cannot tell Ralph the answer either.”
The group entered the main room and looked at the screen. They saw the cabin and the people inside. Bill and Pam gasped when they saw how pale and shaky Ralph was. The green leader was right, Ralph looked on the verge of passing out again, in fact, looked deathly pale. “Ralph will have to decide what to believe and destroy the one ruby he thinks is right. All you can do is watch the scene, he won’t be able to hear you as the suit’s doing what little it can to keep him awake and let him make a decision,” said the green leader.
They looked at the scene, and knew his decision would be soon, otherwise, they’d be at the mercy of the rogue green guys.
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Drake and his men looked at the advancing fog. “All right listen up,” said Drake. “We’re are continuing operation wildfire. Now, there is no one within five miles of the fog, but I want you to be ready to move out and get people evacuated from their homes if it advances further. Be polite, but don’t let them argue with you. We’ve seen what this fog can do when the general lost his hand. Now, move out.”
The men followed his orders and spread out around the fog. When it began to advance again, Drake ordered the men to fall back. He heard the scream of a man who didn’t get out in enough time and disappeared in the fog. Drake had a feeling that there was not much more time before this spread out of control.
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Fokus glanced at Dr. Torus. *You had to take a header into the statue,* he thought. *I could use your help. Murphy won’t be easy to control much longer, and he might slip and tell Ralph about the rubies. You’re lucky I can control Fred as well. I should have had Murphy use a stronger lightning bolt to hit Ralph that last time. It would have killed him before he even felt it.*
He grinned at the thought of Ralph destroying the wrong ruby. Mel was weak enough no one could hear her comment about the rubies. She knew the truth, being connected to the real ruby, but Ralph wouldn’t be able to hear it. *In a matter of minutes, it won’t matter. We’ll have won and be rid of the one they call a hero. Too bad we won’t be able to get the suit as well, but no matter. Small price to pay when we have one of the garden planets.*
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“Come on Ralph, you haven’t got all day,” Murphy taunted. Ralph was obviously fading fast, and at times seemed to be gasping for air. Mel was again having trouble breathing.
HD grabbed Ralph’s shoulder tighter. “Come on son, as much as I hate to admit it, he’s right. You can hardly stay in the seat, you’re so close to fainting again. And, if he’s right, you do that before destroying a ruby, they’ll win and you and Mel will die.”
Ralph glanced at Jack and Mel. He noticed Jack was still holding Mel in his arms, crying. Mel was obviously fading fast, if not faster, than Ralph was. The longer he waited, the more they died, their lives obviously tied together by the ruby. Just then, Mel mumbled something, but it was so soft Ralph couldn’t hear it.
Jack listened and frowned. It was the same mystery as he heard the day before. Ralph saw the frown and figured anything was better than nothing. “What did she say,” he asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
“I’m not sure, but it sounded like what she said yesterday. ‘Red brings love, black death. Love will choose.’ It’s nothing really, just confusion,” he said.
Ralph began to think. *Red, black, must mean something. Wonder if it could be cards, since the ace of spades was considered the death card. No, can’t be cards, Mel never played poker. Unless she meant stars. A red star still has life to it, but a black star is a dead star. But the colors. …* He looked at the rubies one more time. It came to him in a flash. “All right, I’ve made my decision,” said Ralph. “But you’ve got to promise that Pam and Bill will be free to go either way.”
“No promises, Hinkley. For all you know, they’re already dead, since we have given them the same drug Mel had,” Fred taunted, under the Fokus‘ control now. He wanted to make Ralph stand up too quickly and collapse. Then they’d be done with it.
Ralph glared at him as best as he could considering the room was spinning, and he was sitting. He felt they were all right, and the taunt was all he needed to get this over with. Ralph squeezed the hand with the grey aster ruby. The stone would not crush, and the rogue green guys laughed at him mockingly, knowing he didn’t have enough strength to simply crush the ruby.
“Damn,” Ralph shouted as he threw the stone on the floor. He stood up and gathering every ounce of strength he had left, stomped on the stone with the heel of his boot. The ruby shattered into dust.
Ralph looked down at the remains of the stone and glanced back at the green guys. Murphy and Fred had disappeared, screaming as though in pain. A moment later, the room grew dim around Ralph as his vision failed and he toppled over backward. Ralph felt strong arms catch him, and the last thing he thought before losing consciousness was that he at least defeated the rogue green guys and Pam, Bill and the world would be safe.
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Fokus saw the sight before him on the screen. The fog was changing color and fading away. Ralph had been successful in destroying the right ruby and Arizona was returning back to its normal state. He also felt Murphy and Fred disappear.
“No,” he shouted, feeling the two slip away from his control. Just then, he heard a voice. He turned to see a good green guy and the little green helper by his side. “Fokus, you and Dr. Torus are guilty for attempted globalcide, attempted murder of a suit wearer, and the murder of several of our colleagues.”
Fokus just looked at the duo. “You can’t do anything. Ralph may have been successful, but at what cost? I haven’t heard anything about his well-being.”
“I wouldn’t worry about his, Fokus, just yours,” said the green guy, aiming a device at the two tied up green guys. Moments later, Fokus and Dr. Torus were stone.
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Drake watched as the fog began to recede. It had changed color and was receding. As it passed by a man, he noticed that it did not make him disappear.
Drake smiled, as this was the first good sign in a long time. He pulled out his walkie-talkie. “Get me the president. I want to be sure that this is happening all around the area.”
He waited momentarily and got the voice of the president. After a brief discussion, he realized his hunch was true and the fog was receding all around. “Men, the fog has just about disappeared. Once it does, we will return to headquarters for debriefing.” The men smiled and cheered, their worst fears not coming true.
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Pam and Bill looked at the scene before them. Ralph chose a stone and stepped on it, crushing it. They saw the two green guys disappear and Ralph looking at them.
“He did it,” Pam smiled and gave Bill a hug.
They turn back around and continue watching. Pam and Bill gasped when they saw Ralph collapse and HD catch him. HD was having trouble rousing Ralph, and Jack was increasingly worried about Mel.
“No, he was too late,” said Pam, crying. “He saved the world, but they’re going to die.”
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Hinkley,” said the green guy. “Ralph made the decision in enough time to save both himself and Mel. He used the last of his strength along with the suit to crush the ruby. He was already weak, and crushing the ruby was too much at that moment. He will come around in a while as will Mel. The ruby he has is one that can help him recover his strength.”
“I thought you said it was sapping his strength,” said Bill. Though he felt the green leader knew what he was talking about, he and Pam didn’t want to risk losing Ralph after all this.
“It was, but the one he has, when given the proper command, can also be used to heal. It will be a long time before the ruby creates its aster, but once it is used again, he won't be able to use it in conjunction with the suit, it will be an ordinary black ruby. He’s already used it on Mel, which is why she’s tied to the ruby. But with the help of a fellow colleague, we’ll be able to help him.”
A brief flash later, and the group faced Murphy and Fred, who appeared to be dazed. “What, you mean to tell me that they’ll help us,” Bill said. “They tried to kill Ralph.”
“No, Murphy and Fred were being forced to do the things they did, as Fokus and Dr. Torus had a mind push on them. Now that the ruby is destroyed and other matters have been completed, they are no longer under Fokus’ or Dr. Torus’ control.”
He turned to Murphy. “I need you to reverse the power on the ruby to enhance it to help Ralph and Mel recover. They are weak, but will be able to recover. He must still give the ruby to Mel and Jack in order to return to correct history and return to his timeline.”
“Yes sir,” said Murphy. “Uh sir, what about Fokus and Dr. Torus?”
“Don’t worry, they suffered the same fate as your brother and Dr. Hasburgh, but not before we found out other worlds they were trying to take over,” said the leader.
Pam and Bill shuddered at the thought. They knew the green leader wanted to help out the Earth, but didn’t want to know too much, not yet. Looking at the green leader eyes, they knew that there were some things they wouldn’t know yet.
“Sir, what do you want us to do,” said Bill. “I mean, we can’t go around flying up here with you, at least not yet.”
“You will be returned shortly before Ralph returns to his own time. It will be an hour or so before he will be strong enough to come back.”
Pam and Bill looked at each other and sighed. “It seems all we do is wait,” groused Bill.
“Maybe, Bill, but at least this time, it will be a happy ending.” Pam rolled her eyes and grinned.
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Mr. Yates still sat in the psych ward when a doctor opened the door. “Mr. Yates, you’re free to go,” he said.
“Huh,” said Yates. “I thought I was going crazy.”
“The doctors and I discussed your situation and realized that you had a concussion from the car explosion near the bank. This, along with you working in a comic store, caused you to hallucinate and go to the officers with three different stories. Since you’ve been here for a day and have shown no adverse effects, you can go home.”
“But I was sure it was real. No matter, if you say I’m fine, than who am I to argue. Thanks Doc for not thinking I’m crazy,” said Mr. Yates as he exited the door.
The doctor turned around and smiled, her green eyes glittering. Babs looked around one more time before being beamed up to the ship. The green guys decided to let her go back one more time to free Mr. Yates, since he was not at fault to begin with. He needed to go back to his comic store before Ralph returned so he’d forget the suit. Now, she could finally rest and explore with the green guys.
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Ralph slowly opened his eyes and tried to focus on the objects around him. Everything seemed a bit bright, and made him want to close his eyes again. *Am I in heaven? If so, I wish they‘d let me sleep.* Ralph thought.
He tried to shade his eyes, but a voice kept insisting he open his eyes again. “Go away mom, it’s Saturday,” Ralph said groggily.
“Ralph, it’s Tuesday, and I’m no where near your mother,” said a male, slightly gruff voice.
Ralph blinked his eyes a couple of times, opened them and realized he was talking to HD, who had a wet towel and was dabbing Ralph’s face with it. “Oh, sorry HD,” Ralph said as he glanced around at his setting. He was still in the cabin, but it looked as though the other side of the cabin was back in place. Tatt was outside hammering nails to reattach shutters to the windows. Ralph looked out the window, and didn’t see the highway overpasses, meaning they were in the past. He remembered what happened and looked questioningly at HD.
“Before you ask, shortly after you crushed the ruby, the two green critters disappeared and you collapsed,” said HD. “You’ve been unconscious for about a three quarters an hour, and during that time, several strange things happened. Items outside the cabin returned to the way they looked before, even the maple being small again. Then there was the ruby, it did some strange things.”
“Well, that answers most my questions,” said Ralph, doing a double take at the ruby comment. “What about the other ruby?”
“Well, about five minutes after everything that happened, I took a look at the ruby. It started glowing, but not like anything I’ve seen since you had possession of them,” said HD. “Though it was causing all the problems you had, for some reason, Tatt and I felt it needed to be in your possession one more time, so we put it in your hand, and well, it made you glow with a warm red glow. Mel for some reason also had the glow just as well. Odd that, but given everything that’s happened, I don’t want to know.”
“Well, if you want my opinion, I thought it was just an illusion I had from my concussion, so hearing HD say that, at least I know it was real,” said Tatt, returning inside for some more nails.
Ralph chucked at the comment. “Don’t worry, I’ve had some strange things happen wearing this suit, so it turning me red wouldn’t surprise me. How’s Mel?”
“Why don’t you ask her yourself,” said Jack, who sat next to Mel’s bed. She had awoken a few minutes before Ralph did, and for the first time in a day sat up and grinned a faint smile. He looked at Jack, who winked, telling him that she didn’t know the truth. Ralph too smiled and repeated the question. “How do you feel, Mel?”
“Tired, but given what Jack and everyone said, that I fell ill, it wouldn’t surprise me why I’m tired,” she said. “But, it seems if it weren’t for you, I would have died.”
Ralph only nodded. He didn’t want to tell her everything, especially how close she was to dying. He felt the ruby in his hand and looked at it. There was no more aster illusion in the ruby, it looked like a near perfect black ruby. *The way I remember it,* Ralph grinned. “I think this belongs to you,” he said, handing the necklace to Jack. He looked at the necklace and turned to Mel.
Ralph sat back on his elbows, knowing this time, this proposal was correct. He knew that Mel was bedridden convalescing after a bout with malaria when Jack proposed to her in the cabin. Though she was ill from the green guys' drug and not a mosquito bite, it still kept in line with the facts. He knew history was about to be corrected. He wanted to listen to this.
“Mel, as I said before in the cave, you mean the world to me. After the past few days, I realize even more how much you mean to me. Mel, will you let me be your husband?” asked Jack.
“Yes, Jack, I will,” said Mel. The two kissed, and he put the necklace around Mel‘s neck. When nothing bad happened, Ralph knew this time, it was right.
They looked at Ralph, wondering how he’d react, afraid he’d do the same thing he did at the first proposal. “Well, don’t look at me, I’m happy you are together,” Ralph smiled. Just then, he got what he thought was a holograph, but it was of the California border in his own time.
“What the hell is that,” said Jack. Ralph grimaced, knowing this wasn’t a holograph and wouldn’t be easy to explain.
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“It’s time for you and Mr. Maxwell to leave,” said the good green leader. “We want to give you our thanks for everything you did.”
“Oh it was nothing,” said Bill sarcastically. *Absolutely nothing you green creep.*
Pam elbowed him in the ribs. “Come on, don’t antagonize him, Bill, or he’ll turn you to stone,” she said.
The green leader smiled a soft smile, which caused Bill to rethink his comments. He looked down at the ground, a bit embarrassed.
The alien chuckled softly. Though he wasn’t going to hurt him, it was good to keep Maxwell on his toes. “Goodbye, and thanks for your patience,“ the leader said. The little green helper pressed a couple of buttons and Pam and Bill disappeared, returning to the campsite. Kevin also appeared there as well, still asleep. Pam picked him up and placed him in the beetle. They sat there and waited for Ralph to return.
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“Well, aren’t you going to answer me, Ralph,” said Jack.
*Obviously he didn’t see the freeway and Motel 6 in that final decision. Probably too concerned about Mel to notice,* Ralph thought. “Well, to be honest, Jack, this is my way back to where I’m from. Before you ask, it’s the suit and I don’t know, but I’m sure you won’t be able to go through,” he said, glancing at their faces.
“Well, goodbye Ralph, too bad I didn’t get to know you better,” said Tatt. Ralph shook his hand.
“Take care Ralph, and don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Mel,” said Jack.
“I know you will,” he said choking up a bit. He knew this next one would be just as hard. “Goodbye, Mel, get well soon, you know with fever ’n ague you could still be a bit weak and see strange things.”
“Don’t worry, Ralph, I’m feeling better. With your helping me and Jack around, I should be on my feet in no time,” she said, giving Ralph a kiss on the cheek. He looked at Jack, who winked at him. There was no doubt in his mind that he and the others would carry that ruse along with everything they saw with them to their graves.
“Well, Ralph, you did it. Don’t know how, but everything is back to normal,” whispered HD, shaking Ralph’s hand. “You sure you don’t want to stay. I mean, we can use a good man like you in the express.”
“No HD, I need to go back to where I’m from, which is on the other side of that rainbow edged doorway,” said Ralph. HD just nodded and walked over to where the others were.
Ralph turned to face the holographic door. He saw Pam and Bill on the other side. *Well, at least it looks like there are no rocks I can hit my head on,* he thought. Ralph took one last glance at the four, waved goodbye and stepped through the door. It was a lot easier on him this time, and was back in his time shortly, looking at Pam and Bill. After a few moments of just staring, he swung his arms around the pair and gave them a bear hug, crying tears of joy.
They both returned the hug, and though Bill wouldn’t admit it, had tears in their eyes. He looked back and saw the door disappear, but not before seeing Jack and Mel give each other a kiss. Pam and Bill did not see anything but didn’t care now that all three were back together.
Bill pulled back, realizing Ralph was in the jammies. “Uh, kid, I hate to break it to you, but Kevin is in the car and he can’t see you wearing that,” said Bill, wrapping his coat around Ralph’s shoulders.
“How did he get here in the first place,” said Ralph, looking inside.
“We’ll tell you all about our little adventure, hun, as soon as we get out of here,” said Pam. Just then, all three of them look up in the sky and see the good greenguy’s spaceship hovering. They hear the radio shift stations and went over to listen.
“You have done well. Your son will remember these events as dream.” it warbled. “The Earth history is back to its current state. Most have returned, some will not.” Shortly afterward, the ship sailed up into the sky and blasted off to a distant planet. They also saw a small explosion shortly afterward. The trio looked at each other and realized it must have been the other ship. Glancing up again, they knew better than to question the green guy’s rules.
“Kevin’s going to think this was a dream,” said Ralph. “Well, that’s one less thing for me to worry about.” He turned and looked with Pam and Bill at Arizona before them. The city was lit up brightly, with cars driving down the freeway, a sure sign that Arizona had retuned to the way it was. The people there, having been caught in the fog to begin with, were returned. He wondered about those who walked in there from the present day, and gave a moment of silence for them. But he knew that if it weren’t for Dr. Hasburgh entering the first time, they wouldn’t have succeeded.
“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m starving,” said Ralph. “I feel as though I haven’t eaten in a century.”
“Maybe you haven’t kid, looking as pale as you are,” said Bill with a slight smirk on his face. Ralph returned the comment with a funny look, he felt fine despite his pallor, and Bill just chuckled. “Listen, I know a good hamburger joint near the border that we can eat at. You can have anything and everything on the menu if you want, Ralph, my treat.”
“Really, Bill, why the show of generosity,” asked Pam with a slight smirk on her face.
“Well, uh, considering that the kid just saved the Earth from destruction, and probably has a million stories to tell, as I know we do, might as well make it worth his while,” Bill said with a slight bluster, but the smile belied it.
Ralph chuckled and put his arm around Pam’s shoulder. He did have a lot of stories to tell them, and the best way to do so was by eating. “Come on guys, I have a tale to tell you, mostly about history, yours and mine.”
The three walked toward the car, chuckling and kidding. Ralph changed into street clothes over the suit, and they headed off to eat dinner. *It’s good to be back,* thought Ralph, smiling.
THE END
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