“Do you always undress in front of strangers in your living room?”
“What difference does it make where I undress? Do you have a problem with flesh?”
“No, no problem. I think you’re a beautiful woman. I just didn’t want you to get the wrong impression about me.”
“Babel, you’re not making any sense.” She took off her bra and then her jeans.
Out of respect, Babel turned his head. “Obviously there are no boundaries on nudity here.” he said to himself.
“There, that’s better.” Triana said after she had changed. “You know, I have some of my brother’s clothes here. I kept them in case he ever came back. If you want to change into something more comfortable for the evening, you’re welcome to them.”
“Thanks, I’m okay.”
“Suit yourself. If you change your mind, the clothes are in the dresser behind you.” Babel turned and saw a round dresser that had been painted green.
“Thanks. So,” he said changing the subject, “what do you do in the evenings? Read books? Watch TV?”
“TV? Why would I want to watch a disease?”
Babel looked around the living room and saw that there was no television. “Never mind. So, really, what do you do for entertainment?”
“Usually I spend the evenings on the balcony reading. I like to look out over the city as dusk is settling in.” Babel could appreciate that. “Would you like to join me?”
“That sounds nice.”
“We have to be back inside before dark. If not, it is a violation.”
Babel was not exactly sure what she was talking about in regard to violations but he figured he would learn soon enough. “Okay. But before we go on the balcony, where will I sleep?”
Triana showed Babel to the small spare bedroom of the apartment. “At least there are beds here.” Babel thought.
He followed her out to the balcony and was amazed at the beauty of the city. The sun was just beginning to set and Triana and he watched silently as the sun slipped behind the buildings.
Afterwards, they went back inside and Babel realized how exhausted he was. “Well, it’s been a long day. I’d better get some sleep.”
“That’s a good idea.” Triana agreed. “Tomorrow you will meet my uncle and his family. It should be very exciting for them.” Triana looked at Babel seriously. “You don’t know what you being here will mean to people.” She was right, he didn’t know. “Now get some sleep, you’ll have another long day tomorrow.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The Keeper looked down at the dead body of the Chokka. The Klopph had done well.
Many years prior, he had organized the Klopph, with him as their Keeper. He initiated a coup and overthrew the elected Chokka from world leadership. All of the Chokka had been killed by the Klopph – or so he thought.
A short time after the coup, the Cancellarii, the highest ranking Klopph (the Klopph gave up individual names upon entering their service) informed the Keeper he had learned that one of the Chokka had escaped prior to their arrival. The Keeper was furious and beheaded the Császár, the Chokka elected leader of the world whom the Keeper had temporarily spared.
Now that escaped Chokka had returned. And now he was dead.
The Keeper had searched for many years to discover where the Chokka had gone. There was a theory by his leading scientists of alternate worlds that existed alongside their world. The Keeper thought this was ridiculous. One day, however, his view changed.
Ten years after he had taken control of the world government, the Keeper stood looking out across the land behind the Palātium, the palace of the Chokka. His eyes were drawn to the clouds which were swirling. He thought at first it was a tornado but he was mistaken.
Soon, among the swirling clouds, he observed an opening in the center. The clouds then dropped from the sky, slowly edging towards the ground. Finally, the eddying clouds lowered to his eye level on the balcony. It was then that he saw what was in eye of the clouds. He saw the other world.
The eye looked as though it was occupied with water. And beyond the water, he could see people.
He watched mesmerized and realized that the clouds would soon touch the ground. He didn’t know how long the eye would last and decided that the other world he saw must be proven.
He called for three of the Klopph on the grounds beneath him and ordered them to enter they eye. As soon as the clouds touched the ground, the three Klopph entered. A moment later, the clouds dissipated and they were gone.
Afterwards, the Keeper called for his committee of scientists. “How is this possible?” he asked. “Has this happened before?”
For several months the physicists explored what they knew and theorized what might have caused the eye. During that time, the Keeper kept watch for the return of the Klopph. Years passed and there was nothing.
Twenty years after the Klopph entered the eye, one of the Klopph returned. He did not return alone. With him were not the other two Klopph as the Keeper had expected. Instead, with the Klopph was someone he did not expect – the Chokka who escaped.
Now that the Chokka was back and dead, he had no opposition. The power of the world was at his disposal.
The Keeper was tyrant, that was not disputable; but he was also a fair leader. Plus, he was smart enough not to govern on fear alone. In many regards, he was respected by the people of the world. He had continued the prosperity that the world had seen under the Chokka and the threat of war in the world had all but been eliminated. His army was so powerful that no one else had the ability to
