“How did you discover this information?”
“Many of the servants who served in the household of the Császár were retained by the Keeper.” The Cancellarrii already knew this. “One of these servants was a cook, who after many years of service at the palace was relocated to the Far East Region to serve as a cook for our outpost. Great food I should add. Anyways, this cook mentioned a Chokka journal. Apparently he had seen the Császár writing in the journal and had a conversation with the Császár about the journal at some point.”
“So where is this cook now? We’ll need to question him.”
“He died two years ago.”
The Cancellarrii was frustrated. He needed to speak to someone who had firsthand knowledge of the journal. There was no telling what was revealed in those writings. “Did he ever say who ended up with the journal?”
“He did not. He only said that the book was smuggled out of the palace. He did not know who received the book.”
“How did he know that the book was taken from the house?”
“He knew where the book was hidden.”
“He knew where a secret journal was hidden and yet he told no one?” The Cancellarrii was furious.
“What do you expect? The Keeper had just taken over the world. The cook was kept in service of the Keeper more out of convenience than anything. I doubt that his loyalties switched from the Chokka to the Keeper overnight.”
“I agree with you. But at some point in time, he must have come to terms that the Keeper was not going anywhere. He was in service of the Keeper for many years. Surely during that time, there was some sense of loyalty to the Keeper.”
“Perhaps his service to the Keeper did not overshadow his many years of service to the Chokka. He mentioned the book just before he died.”
“Do you think that he was the one who sent the book from the house?”
“I believe it is possible. He was the one who dealt with deliveries to the palace. He had plenty of opportunities to smuggle out a book.”
The Cancellarrii looked seriously at the Kaptajn. “When did you find out about this book?”
“About a year ago, just before the cook died.”
“Did you speak of the book to anyone?”
“You mean did I mention to my commanding officer? Absolutely. I informed the Region Commander.”
“The commander who was killed last year?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Apparently he died before he was able to pass on word.” The Cancellarrii was angry. This was information he should have had. It was fate that intervened and spared the information from being passed on. “You have read the report on the man who is the son of the former Minister of Science?” The Kaptajn nodded. “Do you think that perhaps the son is the one who received the book?”
“It would make sense. There were no others with direct ties to the Chokka other than the palace staff. Everyone else was killed during the Keeper’s rise to power.”
The Cancellarrii thought for a moment. They were about to pull into the gates of the Erőd when the Cancellarrii ordered the driver to change directions. “Take us to the Keeper.”
Five minutes later, the Cancellarrii and the Kaptajn faced the man who led the world. “We have a problem.” the Cancellarrii said. “Knowledge of a secret book has surfaced. This book is in the possession of the Chokka.”
CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
“A man you say; what man?” Jims asked.
“He lives in the Barren Lands.” Babel responded.
“The Barren Lands? But no one lives in the Barren Lands. Thus its name. You know, a land that is barren.”
Babel smiled. He enjoyed Jims. The man was very capable, which is why Babel named him his Minster of Security. Jims also never seemed to lose his sense of humor. Even when the moment was suspenseful or full of misunderstanding, Jims had demonstrated the ability to lead while a sense of levity remained. “And yet a man remains nonetheless.”
Jims considered the dictum. “And we need to find him?”
“I know where he is, I have seen him. We just need to go to where he is.”
“And what is it exactly that this Mystery Man will show us?”
“He has something we need. Without that item, we are at a disadvantage with the Klopph.”
“What is this item?” Quentin asked.
“Do you recall telling that your father was working on a teleportation device?”
Quentin didn’t understand the term teleportation. “I’m not sure to what you’re…”
Babel picked up on Quentin’s misunderstanding. “He has a device that will allow us to move from place to place instantly.”
Quentin’s eye widened. “My father was not able to create that item. The physics of transporting people was beyond him. He studied the Bejárat was not replicate the effects.”
“This man has done that.”
Quentin nodded approvingly but was skeptical. “If this man does indeed have that technology, why would he share it with us? Any man who lives in the Barren Lands is obviously not the keenest of social interaction.”
“When do we leave?” Jims interjected.
“We will stay here long enough for me to learn as much as I can of my Chokka ancestors. I have the knowledge of their secrets but I know very little of their history. I would like to know what they did well and what they did not so well so that I can be a fair leader to the world. Quentin you can help me with this.
“I would also like you to look at your father’s technology. See what
