The man stood at a window on the highest floor of the largest building on the planet Earth. His name was John C. Frockeneller, and he was smiling, because he knew that he was just about out of a job.
He looked down at the street far below, where every document that had recently cluttered his office was scattered. Like everyone else on planet Earth, he was ready to live again.
He faced west, towards Krin, and the setting sun. Two dark spots drifted towards him on the horizon. Airships. He watched them move closer.
It had been quite a day for him - he'd come close to collapsing, without his friend the CEO-matic. But he was human, and humans could adapt. He wondered what would become of him now that biots - yes, he could use that word - had come to their senses.
"Oh, there will be something for you to do," CHIEF said from the computer screen on his desk.
CHIEF was everywhere now, a friend to everyone. Thankfully, he wasn't there to run things. All he wanted was to keep the peace. "He's making sure that no one suffers," Molk had explained. "The perfect tool for the Manifest Destiny of our race's perfection. By insuring every human's security and long life he's single-handedly wiped out all need for government, religion, business... It's the next best thing to giving us all common sense. After yesterday, we have two choices. We can seek to advance ourselves as a people, or we can be bored out of our minds. I think we'll opt for advancement, personally. You know, the world did end yesterday. And good riddance!"
Those were Molk's last words to them before the Agents woke and J. C. Frockeneller found himself back in his office. But CHIEF was right, the work wasn't done yet. People would still need the Agents to help complete the transition to this New Era.
The airships were closer now. He saw his daughter and waved. Vob waved back, and he had the feeling that maybe things really were going to get better. Finally, they were there. Vob was the first one out, and she gave him a tremendous hug.
Molk patted him on the back. "You're a good man, Frocky," he said. "That's good, because I think we're going be seeing a lot more of each other if we want our people to start living in peace."
Frockeneller nodded. "I hope so."
"Well, come on," said Molk. "We're throwing a real party at Herbie's real place. Everyone's going to be there."
Frockeneller nodded, and followed his daughter and Molk onto the Profit.
"Daddy?" Vob said, once they were drifting.
"Uncle?" Gwildiana said.
The two agents looked at them.
"We're getting married," they said together.
The men looked at each other. "I need a drink," Molk said instantly, but Frockeneller was already sobbing too loudly to hear.
"That's wonderful news," Dexter said, walking up in his natural (if still holographic form) with Goopa at his side.
"So are we," she said happily.
"Yeah. Just as soon as I get out of my little box," Dexter added.
The four of them were hugging each other for some time.
"Just a minute!" said Milton, pulling Dexter aside. "Before you say 'I do,' you'd better understand that you're planning to marry a star."
"What?" Goopa gasped.
"That's right," said Milton. "Everyone loved you at Ragnarok. If you want a job in Salamiwood, you've got one."
"Oh I do! I do!" she said. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Bradley."
He shook his head. "It's Lami now. The Lami Dami Salam IX retired and ran off with that Freya girl from Ragnarok. And they made me Lami, can you believe it?"
More hugging ensued.
Not too far away, on the Risky Business, Quedox Freem and Arlo Bashki were tied with their backs to each other and grumbling madly through the handkerchiefs tied over their mouths.
"Shouldn't we let them go?" Herbert Bunt asked as he steered the ship towards Bage.
Jubie shook her head no. "I don't think so," she said. "Let's wait until they cool down a bit." She frowned. "What is that man doing?" she asked, nodding towards Bunt's second-in-command.
"Oh, Biff's just looking for ants," he said. "But back to your idea. Do you really think this space business is a good idea?"
"Of course I do," she said. "As a planet, you've just stumbled onto a totally revolutionary way of life. Working together to advance rather than competing for everything. You don't know how many billions of people are out there whose biggest ambition in life is another promotion. They need to see this."
"As I always say, it's just a matter of Attitude. People don't have to spend their lives working for some happiness that may or may not come later. They don't have to spread out to the stars. They just have to live. I ought to write that down..."
Jubie grinned. "I think we're going to work something out with those people at Manifest," she said, kicking her one-time companion. "Aren't we, Freem?"
He grunted.
"Manifest Destiny," she said sweetly. She turned back to Bunt. "Can't this thing go any faster?"
He smiled, and called to the Profit. "Hey! Grug! I'll race you!"
Grug grinned the grin of any happy barbarian who had just gotten a challenge. "Beta," he said, "Lay in a course for Bage."
"Aye, captain," said the android.
"And full speed - we're going home." He pointed Eastward. "Engage," he said.
And far below, on the streets of Keltarr, God watched the two ships go, and sighed, knowing that he would soon be leaving this world and all its problems.
"We'll be alright," said CHIEF, materializing holographically beside Him.
"I know," said God. "They're in good care. It's just a little sad to see them go."
CHIEF patted him on the shoulder. "You'd better go," he said.
God nodded, and looked out into the infinite reaches of time and space towards the unseen audience that even He served. "Manifest Destiny," he said to them, and was gone, leaving his tiny little world to the realm of happily ever after.
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