[center][img]http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63/NMShape/coollogo_com-8436315_zpsd02f9fa5.png[/img][/center] [quote=Previously...] <‘What I’m doing’ was attempting to analyse your greater destiny with a mana-physical providence-scanner, so that we could gauge how big a threat you are.> The creature continued. ... The creature went to a control panel and hit a button. The jar next to Isaac went through the floor and heavy glass or plastic security panels dropped from the ceiling and encased the dark figure. [/quote] Isaac threw his palms up against the transparent panelling. [b]“Whoa! Whoa! Wait! Hold up! Hear me out!”[/b] The creature seemed to turn to look at the man in black. [b]“Let’s just think this through... your superiors would NOT want you to hit that button!”[/b] Isaac tried to give as convincing a glare at what he figured was the creature’s eyes. Difficult considering the circumstances. <[Searching for equivalent...] [Approximation: explain, elucidate]> Yeah, Isaac, explain... and make it good. [b]“You are part of a peacekeeping force that is responsible for protecting the timespace continuity throughout the whole universe...”[/b] the triggerhappy creature corrected, clearly unamused from the slow pace that Isaac was explaining his defense. [b]“The multiverse. Yes. And as said peacekeeping force you can traverse through time in your role. You view organisms destinies to gauge their threat level so that you can treat them appropriately...”[/b] [b]“...so it would seem to me, the only reason why such a peacekeeping force would exist, is because somebody has foreseen a set end of the multiverse. There’s a legitimate fear that somewhere out there is someone who’s pre-destined to end all existence.”[/b] [b]“No! It’s not! You just stated it yourself. I HAVE no destiny.”[/b] [b]“But what if there’s not..?”[/b] Isaac offered, a wry grin shining through his black balaklava. [b]“What if there isn’t an absence? You’re out there looking for a truly malevolent force. Someone who seeks to destroy all we know and care for... what if that’s still out there?”[/b] [b]“And it will make no difference.”[/b] Isaac stated matter-of-factly. The atmosphere seemed to thicken. With just that observation Isaac felt the control of the entire situation swing. [b]“...after all. It’s destiny. Isn’t it? Whatever that creature is, it has its destiny that it will succeed, and your little team of intergalactic Superfriends is destined to come up short.”[/b] Isaac would have to play his hand carefully here, it was clear that to some extent the creature was trying to save face and not be seen as easily manipulated by such a mediocre species as that which Isaac belonged to... but maybe he could use that to his advantage. [b]“Honestly, I’m surprised you’d consider anything else. You’d cart me around throughout space and infinitely more advanced worlds, thereby risking my escape onto a world with enough technology available that I could potentially ACTUALLY do this damage you’re worried about? Compared with the alternative which is to dump me on my “primitive” level natural environment. A primitive level environment which 'hasn’t even mastered FTL travel or solved its own energy crises?'”[/b] Isaac gave a wry grin. Got ya, you disgusting blob sonovabitch. The creature started to consider a way to wrangle back control. [b]“Well, yes. That’s true. In 1969, um... 45 years ago, we went to the moon.”[/b] One of the other creatures started making the strange gurgling noise of rushing air, not unlike a belch or fart which he’d heard before, Isaac interpreted it as laughter at humanity’s expense and that was just fine with him now. [b]“If these things you use to translate work properly, then yes. It took just over a week for the crew to get there.”[/b] More gurgling came as the aliens calculated how slow the spacecraft must have travelled what seemed, to them, such a meagre distance. Isaac didn’t take his eyes off of the creature with his finger at the button whilst the others laughed. Isaac still didn’t avert his gaze. The arrogant trigger-happy creature caved. [b]“Just one. I seem to have unwittingly travelled to a third world - separate from the first two. How can there be any explanation for that?”[/b] [b]“What does that mean?”[/b] [b]“So it responded by dragging me out arsebackwards and throwing me into a different universe??”[/b] The creature stopped, and paused for a second as if he just realised he’d been trying to teach the intricacies of contemporary political philosophy to a toddler. Isaac thought about it, his presence was enough to “Break” a universe? To get himself evicted to a whole other world? [b]“Yeah... that whole dig about magic and destiny?”[/b] [b]“So... wait? I was magical before and I didn’t even know it?”[/b] The creature gave that damned familiar derisive gurgling sound again, Isaac could have sworn he heard the same collection of grunts and clicks that would translate approximately into idiot/imbecile/dunce, before the headpiece was removed and he was sent hurtling back to earth. Isaac’s feet gently hit the ground as if he hadn’t just been travelling faster than any other human being in history only seconds earlier. And his legs buckled and he dropped to his knees and vomited behind garbage cans. He was back in the alley he had just run into when the aliens had picked him up. Isaac cleared his head (having just emptied his stomach) and his mind raced, trying to take in everything he’d just been told. “How long had he been gone? Could all of that have really happened? Could it really be true? He was thrown into another new world because the last wasn’t able to accommodate him? How could this world have come into being in a way that was MORE capable of accommodating him?” The questions outnumbered the answers and flashed across his mind. Suddenly his hip spasmed and he grabbed at the cause. His phone, set on vibrate had just gone off a number of times as if he hard a large number of messages. Isaac checked the alley was all clear before removing his balaklava. He quickly removed and stowed his over-clothes in his pack before grabbing his phone and briskly walking to where he’d hoped his car would still be parked. He noted the date, and just how much time he’d missed - despite feeling like he’d only been gone fifteen minutes, before accessing his voicemail messages. First was Tony Morris, it was an address for the place he’d apparently rented to stay in, central east side just inside the French Quarter. Well, at least he had a bed without needing a hotel room. The second message was also Tony. It was a lot more unusual. “So yeah, it’s me again. Everything’s been organized as you asked. LHU is having an open day for prospective students for the next semester, but I managed to convince them to allow you to start early. Well... money does that. They’ve said they’ll email you your course guides and other relevant material and documentation, they’ve suggested you still go in for the open day since it’ll help you find your way around campus.” Isaac took his ear away from the phone and looked at it incredulously. “Speak to you soon.” And the message ended. There were two more messages. Both were Tony getting increasingly irritated that Isaac hadn’t returned his calls. [b]“Well, at least I don’t have to worry about coming up with a cover story.”[/b] Isaac pocketed his phone and picked up his pace through the alleyway. [b]“I don’t know whether pre-Me is a genius or an idiot...”[/b]