John gives Pat a hearty slap on the back, grinning widely. "Dang, Son! You absolutely unloaded on them in there – fired both barrels, reloaded, and kept going before they even knew what hit them. I think you had them genuinely rattled."

"They were already rattled when I walked in," Pat replied with a slight smile. "That was exactly the point of my speech – to shake them out of their complacency."

Michael nods approvingly. "Well, I'd say you succeeded in shaking them up quite a bit. My only concern is whether we've just made some powerful enemies in there. Still, it was refreshing to hear you speak your mind like that. We were all incredibly proud of how you handled yourself."

Penelope chimes in with typical teenage dramatics. "Me too, Daddy! Even if your little political stunt just completely ruined my social life forever." She grins mischievously. "Hee hee. Wait – is this actually the Director's limo? I really hope he hurries up because I'm absolutely starving. Oh, here he comes now."

"Sorry I kept you waiting so long," Abhaya says as he slides into the limo. "Everyone and their brother had a laundry list of questions they wanted me to ask you. I told them to keep their lists – I'll stick to my own agenda. So, where would you folks like to go for lunch? Capitol City has pretty much every type of cuisine you could imagine."

"I want a cheeseburger!" Penelope announces with the enthusiasm only a teenager can muster. "I've never actually had a real one – you know, from an actual hamburger joint. Do they even have places like that here?"

Abhaya's face lights up with an amused smile. "I know exactly the spot. It's a popular hangout for kids around your age. We can hit the drive-through so we won't create a circus by walking in – probably better for everyone involved."

"Thank you so much!" Penelope beams as the limo smoothly lifts off and glides toward the restaurant.

Once they're airborne, Abhaya's expression grows more serious. "I hope you don't mind, but this is essentially a working lunch, so I'm going to cut straight to the heart of the matter. I find myself in an increasingly difficult position here in Capitol City. You see, this city exists for one simple reason: when we all first regained consciousness in this realm, most of the political figures – myself, the Council members, the Elders – we all materialized in domains that were clustered relatively close together. We figured out how to merge these separate domains into one large, unified space, and that became Capitol City. It seemed like the logical thing to do at the time – to try rebuilding our world based on what we remembered from the 22nd century, since that's the era we're all familiar with.

"But as we started reaching out to form alliances with other domains, we discovered something troubling. Most of them are rooted in much earlier time periods. Powder Junction feels like the early 1800s, Penny Lake is late 19th, early 20th century. We've encountered domains based on the 15th century, the early Roman Empire, ancient Greece, and some that go all the way back to Assyrian and Egyptian civilizations – or even earlier. The vast majority of domains we've contacted are so far removed from our frame of reference that meaningful communication is virtually impossible. It's not just a language barrier – our entire thought processes are fundamentally different. I can find the right words to say 'hovercraft' or 'electricity,' but those concepts are completely meaningless to hunter-gatherer societies living in jungle domains. There's no common ground for understanding.

"Since we represented one of the most technologically advanced time periods, we naturally assumed we should provide leadership for all the others. But here's the problem: leaders need followers, and lately we've been hitting brick wall after brick wall trying to establish new alliances. These other domains don't know us, don't trust us, don't understand what we're about, and frankly don't see any value in what we're offering them.

"So Pat, your speech this morning really stirred up a hornet's nest. The Council is genuinely frustrated – we honestly believe we're doing the best we can with what we know. Now you're suggesting we completely overhaul everything we believe in and essentially reinvent ourselves as something we're not. This criticism is coming at us from all directions, but I don't think such a dramatic transformation is possible with our current representatives. More importantly, I don't think it's fair to ask these people to fundamentally change who they are. We're all still reeling from the shock of discovering that the world we once knew – the world we thought we were still connected to – is gone forever. That frustration has curdled into anger, and honestly, I don't think I can keep a lid on it much longer. I do have a plan, though, and I desperately need your help to make it work.

"I understand that if this Council is going to function effectively – if it's going to survive at all – it must be transformed. But that transformation can't be imposed from outside forces. That would just lead to open conflict and possibly the complete collapse of our entire system. For real change to take root, it has to come from within, gradually. That's why I need you on the Council."

"I've already received reports that you were extremely well-received by the public during this morning's hearing. There are some major structural changes being planned for the Council that will open up several new seats. I genuinely enjoyed your presentation this morning – I and many others both on the Council and throughout Capitol City would love to put some of those ideas into practice. But right now, it's all just rhetoric unless we can get you on the inside where you can actually influence policy. This represents a huge opportunity for both you and the Council to take the next major step toward real progress. I'm asking you – no, I'm begging you – to seriously consider my proposal."

Penelope suddenly interrupts with teenage exuberance. "We're here! Let's order some food! How exactly does this drive-through thing work?"

"Driver, would you please order six double cheeseburger meals with large Lemony Pops sodas? That should satisfy everyone's appetite." Abhaya turns back to Pat. "Think it over while we eat."

"I'll certainly give it serious consideration," Pat responds thoughtfully, "but I was under the impression that all the Council seats are currently filled. Are you planning to expand the Council? Or are you asking me to join as staff?"

"The Council currently has 27 representatives corresponding to the 27 provincial regions that existed on Earth. Our original plan was to ally with 27 domains here so the numbers would align perfectly, but we've only managed to successfully join with 20. There's been extensive debate about redistricting. Having 27 representatives all from a single domain doesn't make much sense if we want to extend the Council's influence beyond Capitol City's boundaries. The plan gaining the most support is to have only one representative from Capitol City, with the others coming from allied domains. That way we can truly function as an Earth Council again, instead of what we essentially are now – just a Capitol City Council. Since time is critical, if you decide to join us, we can place you in one of the seven currently vacant seats almost immediately. There are representatives sitting in those chairs now, but they have no actual constituents to represent, and those aren't voting positions.

"They'll step down as soon as we define representative areas and elect proper representatives. Here's my plan: instead of merging domains like Capitol City did, groups of domains will form provincial alliances. These alliances will then join a Federation of Provincial Alliances and participate in the Council by electing representatives. For example, Penny Lake and Powder Junction could form a provincial alliance and elect a representative. Given your popularity, Pat, I'm confident you'd be elected easily, and with your political skills, you could guide the Council in the direction it needs to go."

"Oh! My! God! This is literally the most delicious food I've ever tasted!" Penelope exclaims between bites.

"Now hold on there, little girl," John protests with mock indignation. "I've made you plenty of good cheeseburgers over the years. What makes these so special?"

"You didn't make them like this, though," Penelope explains earnestly. "These are all juicy and mega-yummy in a completely different way."

"One thing I've learned in a lifetime of politics," Abhaya comments with a hearty laugh, "is to never argue with a teenager about food preferences."

"You're absolutely right about that," John concedes. "Though personally, I still think my cheeseburgers are superior. Actually, I'd rather have fish anyway."

Pat steers the conversation back to business. "You're making an intriguing proposal. I've thought for some time that the Council's current representative structure doesn't make sense in our new reality. If we go forward with this, though, I don't think I should represent Penny Lake. I haven't announced this to anyone yet, but I've been planning to move back to Utashinai Village where my parents live – where I lived before coming to Penny Lake. I originally came to the Lake to be with my wife Sally and raise our children there. Penelope will be grown and independent soon, and Sally and I... well, we're no longer together. What I'd prefer to do is create an alliance of the smaller villages like Utashinai Village and represent them on the Council. Penny Lake and Powder Junction have plenty of other qualified people they can elect."

"You're moving?!" Penelope drops her burger, staring at him with wide eyes. "Shit! Where am I supposed to live?"

"I don't think it'll make much practical difference, Penelope," Pat says gently. "You already have your own bedroom at John's house – our family house. You have another room at Ben and Penny's place, and you already have rooms at my parents' house in Utashinai Village and at your mom's parents' place in Sapporo Village. So what real difference would it make?"

Penelope sits quietly, staring at the limo floor as tears begin forming in her eyes. "So... I guess this means you and Mom are never getting back together then." Her voice is barely a whisper. "I think you should give it more time, Dad. Please don't give up on her yet."

"I will never give up on Sally, Penelope," Pat says softly, moving closer to give her a hug. "My love for her hasn't wavered one bit since the day I met her. But living in the same house... I don't think that's going to be part of our future. And if something does change and we do get back together, with the new TDC portals like we used to get here, physical distance doesn't really matter anymore. We could be together anywhere – it doesn't have to be at the Lake."

"Okay, Daddy," Penelope says, leaning into his embrace. "But you have to promise me something. If Mom wants you back, you have to take her back. I know she messed up the marriage, but she was hurt and didn't know how to handle things. You have to promise you'll take her back, okay?"

"I promise, Penelope. But it really has to be your mom's choice. She has her own life now, and if she doesn't want to share that with me, I'll respect that decision, and I'll understand. You should try to understand that too."

A buzzing sound interrupts the moment as Abhaya pulls out a pocket phone. After a brief conversation, he turns to the driver. "Stop by my personal residence before returning to the Palace. I have some business to handle there." Turning back to Pat, his expression grows serious. "One word of caution I must share, Patrick. Many Council members are nervous and, frankly, somewhat paranoid. We'll undoubtedly be accused of holding secret meetings behind their backs, and I'm sure the media will report all sorts of conspiracy theories about secret plots to undermine and destroy the Council and bring chaos to Capitol City. We are, in fact, conspiring – but not to destroy anything. We're trying to save it. Be prepared for them to assume the worst."

The limo glides to a smooth stop at the Director's residence, where staff quickly secure the vehicle. The group is escorted into a rather impressive foyer decorated with numerous works of art, where a beautiful young woman waits to greet them.

"MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY!" Penelope screams, sprinting down the hallway and launching herself into her mother's arms. After a lengthy exchange of hugs and kisses, Penelope asks breathlessly, "So is Earth completely finished? Are you back here to stay?"

"Yes, Earth is as prepared as I can make it," Sally replies, still holding her daughter close. "The larger mammals are all back and balanced – deer, elk, bear, wolves, caribou, rhinoceros, elephants, whales and dolphins, lions and tigers, and most of the primates. They've all been restored. The only thing missing is some of the primate species, but that's the next phase, and it's going to be considerably more complicated. That's actually why I'm here in Capitol City – to begin negotiations with the Council regarding re-population."

"How did you accomplish all that so quickly?" John asks as Sally gives him a warm hug and plants a big kiss on his cheek. "We were just there recently and there wasn't anything bigger than a possum!"

"Apparently I have friends in very strange places," Sally explains with a mysterious smile. "A level 7 entity showed up to help. I can't describe what he looked like because he occupied more spatial dimensions than I can perceive. These beings can actually see thoughts as if they were physical objects, and they can reach out and modify your mind by grabbing your thoughts and rearranging them. That's how we communicate – he would add elements to my thoughts, like hanging ornaments on a tree, and suddenly I'd understand what he was saying. He could see my thoughts the same way and know what I was thinking.

"The DNA we seeded isn't just a string of dead chemicals, either. It emanates a field that describes an organism in incredible detail, and these level 7 entities can actually perceive those field emissions as if they were the real animal. They can grab that field and push it into level 3 reality, where it manifests as the actual creature. It tears up quite a bit of countryside when that happens – all the disruption and reorganization of level 3 matter – but when the dust settles, there's your animal, standing there munching grass like nothing unusual happened. That process works pretty well with creatures that are highly instinctive. With thinking animals, it doesn't work as smoothly. Some primates, including humans, rely heavily on personal, family, and cultural history to define who and what they are. Those primates haven't been restored yet because they would be completely lost without those contexts and wouldn't have the survival skills they need. Those species will be restored from their essences here in level 5, where they've been waiting."

"I can't wait to hear you explain this to the Council," Michael says with a chuckle. "Those scaredy-cats can barely handle you being out there by yourself, and this level 7 stuff is going to absolutely terrify them."

"Unfortunately for the Council, there are many things they're simply going to have to get used to," Sally says with a slight edge to her voice. "Entities at all levels are involved in Earth's restoration, and the Council currently has no standing with any of them. I understand I was summoned for a hearing and that Penelope stood in for me. I'm ready to accompany you to that hearing and answer their questions, if that's acceptable to the Council. They could, if they choose to, become a valuable partner in the re-population effort. I just hope they don't pull the same destructive nonsense they did on Earth before. If they do, it's going to be a very brief hearing."

"I'll make the call and arrange for you to appear," Abhaya says. "We'll probably postpone this afternoon's session and reschedule for tomorrow morning given your arrival. I'm sure the Council will be absolutely thrilled to speak with you." His tone suggests otherwise. "You're welcome to stay here tonight and relax before tomorrow's... activities."

"Relax?" Penelope interjects with typical teenage energy. "I think we should all go see a movie! How about it, guys?"

"A movie sounds wonderful," Abhaya agrees. "I have a private box we can use so we won't get mobbed by crowds. We can go this evening after dinner. Join me in my living room for now – we have tea, coffee, water, sodas. We can sit and discuss tomorrow's agenda. It's going to be quite an interesting day."

"So Abhaya, what's the story behind that painting on the wall? The one with all the animals and the large boat?" Sally asks, studying the artwork with curiosity.

"I can tell you exactly what that is," John says with enthusiasm. "That's Noah's ark. Don't you know your biblical stories?"

"No, you know I don't, John. I was never into religious stuff. There wasn't much left of organized religion after all the wars, the off-world contact, and all the technological upheavals. By the end of the 21st century, most people had pretty much given up on everything – science, religion, politics, themselves. Nobody knew what to believe anymore, so most folks just believed in nothing, took life as it came, and didn't ask too many uncomfortable questions."

"Well, the Noah story is one you should definitely know something about, considering you and him seem to have quite a lot in common."

"Come sit here next to me, John. Tell me about Noah."

"Well, I don't have a Bible handy to reference, but it goes something like this. There were evil beings in the world – sons of God who were having their way with Earth women, creating all sorts of hybrid creatures, some of which were giants. God became deeply saddened by what mankind was becoming and decided to wipe them out completely. He planned to flood the entire planet and drown everything. But there was this one guy who was righteous in God's eyes, so He didn't want him to perish. So God instructs him to build this enormous boat.

"Now this seemed absolutely bizarre to everyone around because up until that time, it had never rained – so what was this massive boat doing sitting on dry land? The whole concept of a flood made no sense whatsoever. But Noah did what God commanded and built this huge vessel. Then he went out and gathered two of each type of animal – and I think he collected seven pairs of the animals that God particularly favored – and loaded them into this boat along with his children and their wives and kids. Then all hell literally broke loose on the planet.

"It rained and rained relentlessly, and water surged up from the oceans across the land, and the boat bobbed around in the chaos like a stick in a raging river. The animals and people were all screaming and panicking, and Noah thought they were all going to die. But they survived, and the boat eventually came to rest on dry land, and they all disembarked and proceeded to re-populate the Earth.

"So you see? You and Noah have quite a lot in common. Noah protected the animals on the ark and re-populated the earth. You just returned from re-populating that same Earth with probably many of the same animals that Noah had on his ark."

"That's a fascinating story, John. I'm curious about those sons of God who were messing around with Earth women. They better not try that nonsense this time around, or I'll make sure they become dickless sons of God."

"Mom!" Penelope protests.

"Oh, sorry Penelope. I forgot you were listening."

"Thanks, Mom. Next time I'll try not to be quite so invisible."

"Alright, girls, let's keep things civil," John interjects with paternal authority. "We don't want to be bickering when we're guests in someone's home," as both Sally and Penelope give him that mock-innocent 'yes, Daddy' grin.

"It makes me wonder," Penelope muses thoughtfully, "if maybe this isn't the first time Earth got completely messed up. Maybe it happens over and over again, and there are people like Mom and Dad, or this Noah guy, who have to fix everything up again."

Pat nods, considering her words. "Archaeological evidence would actually support your hypothesis. There's clear evidence of multiple sudden earth changes that nearly wiped out all life on Earth. Maybe, like this time, life was completely destroyed and then somebody restored it all again. That might explain some of those 'missing links' in the archaeological record that scientists have never been able to account for."

"Speaking of archaeology and this painting, there's an original of this somewhere on Earth," Abhaya observes. "Do you think there's any possibility of recovering artifacts from the old Earth – things like works of art?"

"My guess is that most of that material is probably unrecoverable," Pat replies thoughtfully. "It's likely buried under millennia of debris, decomposed by microbes, or destroyed by exposure to the elements. Who knows? I suppose some pieces might have survived if they fell into protected environments – like being buried under a protective layer of volcanic ash, assuming they didn't burn up in the process. Stone sculptures probably have the best chance of survival, but they could be buried under hundreds of feet of rock and sediment by now."

"That raises a question we've been discussing in the Council," Abhaya continues. "Earth was in an interglacial period the last time we were there, but due to the time differential, that's roughly twelve thousand years ago in Earth time. Is the planet due for another round of glaciation?"

"I don't believe so, based on what I've been told," Sally responds. "The sun is gradually getting larger and hotter, so we're probably at the end of the current ice age, and there likely won't be another one. There's still ice at the south pole and in some high mountain regions, but nowhere else. The increased solar heat is making Earth warmer, and Mars too. That will actually make it much easier to terraform Mars the next time around – it won't be nearly so brutally cold there."

"Speaking of Mars, whatever happened to the Mars Council – the ones you were always butting heads with?" Michael asks.

"Most of them are right here in Capitol City," Abhaya replies, "and they're furious about how things turned out. They're even angrier that Earth is being recreated while Mars has been left out entirely. Sally, since you seem to be the expert on planetary recreation, is Mars part of the long-term plan, or has it been abandoned?"

"Earth has to come first, since it's the source of life in this region," Sally explains. "Mars can be restored later. Whether that happens in the short term or very long term depends on the methods we use for re-population and how quickly the process advances."

"I'd suggest that the political answer should be 'short term,' even if the reality might be otherwise," Abhaya advises. "The Mars Council is eager for a seat on the Earth Council until they can re-populate their own world. They also believe they're the original source of life in this sector. Do you think giving them representation would be beneficial?"

"I think it would be an excellent idea," Pat says emphatically. "Mars really got screwed over in all this. They had just created their new world after tremendous effort, and then – boom – it's all gone. Offering Mars a seat on the Council would be the least we could do to keep them involved. Mars shouldn't be forgotten and should be terraformed again as soon as we have the capability."

Sally adds, "There's still a lot of logistical work to be done regarding humanity's re-population on Earth. So I wouldn't want to make any premature promises to Mars. I do think terraforming again is a worthwhile goal – I just don't know when it can realistically happen. There are too many unresolved variables in the equation right now."

"Absolutely. Everyone wants to be kept in the loop, and since this is critically important to all of us, I believe everyone should be included," Abhaya agrees. "I'm going to recommend to the Council that a representative seat be allocated to Mars. I'm also going to propose two new seats for representatives from the Utashinai alliance and the Penny Lake alliance – and I'd like those representatives to be Pat and Sally. What do you think?"

"What?!" Sally's eyes widen in shock. "You want us on the Council? The Council thinks we're evil beings, just like those corrupted sons of God who were interfering with Earth women! They would never approve seats for us, even if we were legitimately elected by our domains."

"I've already had extensive private conversations with most of the representatives," Abhaya explains. "While it's true that some of them deeply dislike you, they're in the minority. Most of them understand the political realities and recognize that there must be compromise, or we'll eventually collapse entirely and there will be no Earth Council at all. You said it yourself – there are entities at multiple levels involved in this process, and Earth Council currently has no standing with any of them. Apparently you do have that standing, Sally, because you've been working with them for years. Earth Council wants – needs – to be part of this process. It's important not only to us, but to the restoration process itself. To get the expertise that Pat possesses and the credibility that you have with the off-worlders or enlightened beings or whatever you call them, we need you working from the inside, collaborating with the Council. Will you work with me on this? I honestly don't think I can overstate how critical this is."

"I... I don't know," Sally stammers. "I had never even considered that possibility. The Council has always been the opposition. I can't imagine actually being a member. But I suppose I could think about it, if it would streamline the process and get more people involved. Let me consider it – it's honestly quite a shocking proposition. But there's no way I'm wearing those ridiculous robes and wigs!"

"Mommy! Daddy! You can play politics tomorrow," Penelope announces in her most commanding tone. "The servants are setting the table. Let's eat, and then it's MOVIE TIME!!"

The group proceeds to the movie theatre to watch a remake of 'The Wizard of Oz'. Most of the other kids there are younger than Penelope, but since it's her first movie theater experience ever, she's absolutely enchanted by the whole thing. She's particularly delighted by the heel-clicking scene. It turns out to be a genuinely lovely evening – that is, until Penelope decides to visit the concession stand and gets mobbed by paparazzi. When a reporter asks, "Are your parents planning to destroy the Council?" she responds cheerfully, "Oh, didn't they tell you? They're going to BE on the Council! They get their own special chairs and everything. The Director already explained it all to us." By the time they return to the Director's residence, half the Council is waiting there. Poor Abhaya ends up staying awake until 4 AM trying to smooth ruffled Council feathers. Fortunately for him, the overnight polls show that over eighty percent of the population supports Sally and Pat joining the Council. The people want their Royal Family exactly where they feel they belong.