Back to the Heyho arc!
King Preston Truthside, born on Earth-Whichever before he became arguably the mightiest created being in the mortal-existence dimension of three galaxies, knew about Fuss users, although none of them were native to his Earth-variant. His intergalactic surveillance could not follow events based on the Halo game until that sub-reality acquired material existence, but he soon got up to date with it. He was not free to travel now, since he was needed on Awkwardlisp to control Kaijusaurus and Aqua-Scorpion, but he might be able to facilitate providing supernatural assistance to a materialistic region. When he detected the witch Ickylinn on Heyho Earth, the idea assumed urgency.
Truthside ascertained that the sorcerer Doctor Unusual and Zoorama Sotero-Slippage were tied up helping the good guys on Redundantworld. Fateful Doctor was likewise occupied. But the sorcerer Conn Johnstantine of Terra was available, as were the Fuss up-siders Quinine Sauce and his yellow-skinned Tryyurluck wife Samladel Fripp-Sauce. So Truthside contacted those three, obtained their consent to be "drafted," and then teleported them to where they could meet Avery Thompson and the other heroes involved in capturing Icky-Linn.
The trio had scarcely materialized at their destination before Karbeena Owtfeeld, mistakenly reacting to a perceived threat, whirled to attack the new arrivals. Mister and Missus Sauce together immobilized her by The Fuss without harming her; Conn then said, "We're on your side, just making sure the witch is well subdued." Then the Terran magic-user placed a sleep spell on Ickylinn, while Avery explained to President Hughes what was actually happening. Zubdookree employed Fuss-persuasion to make Earth's President understand that he was being told the truth. Snack and Noherra took on explaining to civilian staff members what was happening. (If I said previously that the diminutive Lodratrid Guft, who looks like Maz in the Sequel Travesty, is with Zubdookree, then she still is.)
Shilkovim of the Bonkalub was one of the first persons not present at the mansion to be advised of what had just occurred.
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Depending on whom you spoke to, Doyo Jogtip the Yettisquatch was either the Planetary President of Stretch, or its Governor. Be this as it might, Second Lieutenant Taleb El-Moktar, from the Endrunners Battalion of the Galactic Marines, was on duty right now as Officer of the Day in the planetary capital. They were not guarding the gubernatorial residence, this being the job of the Galactic Army. For this very reason, Rhonda Pilsner and her Skankbelly friend Zafnast could speak privately with Taleb, concerning the fact that they had first been prevented from seeing Doctor Fallacy, then later admitted to her office only to get a run-around.
Taleb soon asked them, "Were you _specifically_ ordered not to tell anyone that you'd come away without the answers you sought?"
Zafnast moved his mandibles in a distinctive manner, then shook his long head. "Excuse me, that was meant to be like a Human shaking his head. No, we were not so instructed." He and Rhonda exchanged a glance.
"In that case....." The lieutenant looked all around. "Listen carefully. I am _not_ suggesting that you clear out of here _before_ anyone grabs your elbows. I'm _certainly_ not suggesting that you head for the last known location of a man from what _might_ be called 'Ringjonn Earth.' I see no reason to allege that such a man enjoys great prestige for helping the Starterus faction to achieve co-existence. Even less am I urging you to look at this data device I just happen to be holding in plain sight, as if, oh, say, it would tell you that location. By no means am I urging you to get going right away, and obtain the support of someone who might bear the nickname of Major Chief. Now I'm going to make my rounds, without any interest in whether anybody lawfully borrows an aircar, helicopter or suchlike."
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Jacob and Raquel, he still armed with his fantasy rifle, she with her Babylon Five-suggested plasma pistol, were at a campsite with Starterus the enormous Juggernasty. Other ex-Congregation members were present, most of them from the Mipstipter species. The winged sapients were listening avidly as Jacob sang chanties and ballads. For this audience, the Major Chief could have been singing centuries-old advertising jingles; _any_ sort of melody was a thrilling novelty for them. Starterus, astronomically more intelligent than the former cannon fodder, had begun thinking whether he could write lyrics in his own language to any of these tunes.
Rhonda and Zafnast showed up at the camp, to be cheerfully welcomed by Starterus. Readers are invited to assume that anything necessary for New Stevie Ray Vaughn to become pals with Jacob, does happen. Stevie, in his original existence on Music Earth, had never been part of any thrilling life-or-death adventures; he was greatly impressed when he heard about Jacob saving teenagers from being murdered in the Sodpile Forest.
