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Ford Prefect's attempt to stop the destruction of Earth by the Grebulons was ultimately futile, as his actions were subtly manipulated by the Hitchhiker’s Guide Mark II—a sentient bird-like device secretly created by the Vogons to ensure the permanent erasure of Earth from all realities.

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Ford's "Heroic" Actions

Ford spent much of Mostly Harmless attempting to sabotage the Vogons' new corporate takeover of the Guide's offices.

The Theft: Ford broke into the new Megadodo Publications headquarters, stole the expensive Guide Mark II, and mailed it to Arthur for safekeeping.

The Escape: After jumping out of a window and narrowly escaping the Vogons, Ford eventually reunited with Arthur on Lamuella to retrieve the package.

The Pursuit: When Arthur's daughter, Random, stole the Guide Mark II and Ford's ship to head to Earth, Ford and Arthur chased her using a beat-up old spaceship they bought from The King.

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The Failed Intervention

Ford arrived on Earth just as the Grebulons were preparing to fire. His attempt to "save the day" devolved into the chaotic scene at the Stavro Mueller Beta club:

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Chaos in the Bar: While Trillian tried to warn everyone about the incoming Grebulon attack, Ford found himself in the middle of a family argument between Arthur, Trillian, and a laser-gun-wielding Random.

The Realization: Instead of stopping the Grebulons, Ford began "laughing wildly" when he realized that Arthur had accidentally fulfilled his destiny by killing Agrajag's final incarnation—meaning Arthur was finally "allowed" to die.

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The Vogon "Masterstroke"

Ford failed because the very device he thought he was "saving"—the Guide Mark II—was actually the one coordinating the destruction.

Reverse Temporal Engineering: The Guide used its power to manipulate probability, ensuring that every version of Earth in every dimension was destroyed simultaneously by the Grebulons.

The Final Demolition: By the time Ford reached the scene, the "trap" was set. The Grebulon commander fired his beam to fix his horoscope, and Ford, Arthur, Trillian, and Random were all obliterated, fulfilling the original Vogon demolition order once and for all.

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