"Then climb back into the tank, and we'll return you to Anthos."

*          *          *          *

So it came to pass that Wildstar led a convoy of space arks, all filled with water, to eventually land in the oceans of earth; and escorted them to a meeting place below the water's surface.

"I don't know what the navy thinks about this, but they'll never learn the real story" thought Ann.

The space arks would not escape the notice of the navy's radar, but they could depart with their passengers and some souveneirs from the earth subterranean city in time to be written off in naval reports as unidentified flying objects.

*          *          *          *

"We'll they've all gone. I'm the only person on earth who knows the location of that deserted undersea city. I can explore the city in Wildstar, but the water pressure would kill me, if I left the spaceship. We'll have to watch some television tonight."

“Imagine what the pressure would do to me,” said Wendell.

“Come to think of it, the pressure in my school pool might do the same to you,” said Ann, “I’m glad we’ve got the ice cream bucket.”

Ann explored the city that day, and marveled at the many aquatic wonders.

"They've made all of the common surface conveniences they ever needed out of waterproof materials, just like the places on Anthos!" she thought.

It had been an interesting way to spend a week. Travelling into the past and discovering that it was actually the future had been exciting enough; but the events to follow were astounding.

Ann decided that there was an analogous similarity between the future of earth and the possible future of the Anthos race.

"Earth will be like that in the future, because people don't care what happens to this planet now. The other problem occurred because Murta didn't care what happened to the Anthos descendants on earth. It's all been like a long confusing lesson in history."

*          *          *          *

Ann returned to Freedom Fields, having arranged to change places with her robot doppelganger in the nearby forest.

"It's only three days until Christmas!" she realised, "How extraordinairy. After exploring thousands of years of time, I am now in a panic to send all my Christmas cards. At least the robot was able to simulate my behaviour. The secrets of Ann O’Malley are still secrets. I shall have to to buy cards, stamps, and even one or two presents quickly. Arella Kayne, my partner the dream sensitive should have a present. She's the only other person on earth who knows about Wildstar, Butler One and Space Force."

*          *          *          *

Sunday evening came, and Ann watched a news broadcast:

            "After a hive of possible U.F.O. sightings in the South Pacific, the naval commander

            in America has finally decided to resume navy investigations into the attacks which

            interrupted naval exercises as recently as two weeks ago. The commander said, 'It is

            always difficult to give credence to a person who reports sighting a U.F.O. The

            difficulty increases, when one considers that the U.F.O. apparently just disappeared

            into the ocean. We will be investigating the area, but cannot ignore the chances of

            another spate of vicious attacks from below the water surface. The navy will be

            standing by to return the fire of any future mysterious attackers.' "

"And they won't need to," thought the young Mistress of Scientific Wonders.

1996….

“I’m running out of things to say that don’t repeat myself,” said Martin, “But I’ll never tire of your story.”

“It makes the anticipation all the more fun, doesn’t it?” said Ann, and continued.