Adventure in the Perilous World of the Torus

By Ivor Kovac

Gary Williams was a retired doctor, twice divorced, angry and embittered, with fewer days ahead than behind. With no children, and much of his life’s work taken away, Gary finds solace in hunting and fishing. He resigns himself to ever-increasing discontent, followed by death. But when the moment comes and the darkness wraps around him, instead of dying he revives in another world.
Gary finds himself renewed and invigorated, but alone in a strange world full of unknown wild animals, a multitude of alien races, and hostile natives who are technologically stagnate. Gary must use all his skills and wits to learn the rules of the new world, and carve out a place for himself in it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781796081169

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Copyright © 2020 by Ivor Kovac.

ISBN:       Softcover       978-1-7960-8115-2

                 eBook            978-1-7960-8116-9

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 01/06/2020

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CONTENTS

Chapter 1 Punk Kids

Chapter 2 The Valley

Chapter 3 Water

Chapter 4 Hunting

Chapter 5 Life Form

Chapter 6 Learning English

Chapter 7 Anatomy

Chapter 8 Not Alone

Chapter 9 On the Run

Chapter 10 Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 11 The Other Side of the Mountain

Chapter 12 Chess

Chapter 13 Scouting

Chapter 14 New Arrival

Chapter 15 Vree-Ar Alak

Chapter 16 Worlds

Chapter 17 Age

Chapter 18 Due South

Chapter 19 Captured

Chapter 20 Hard Labor

Chapter 21 Private Conversation

Chapter 22 What Happened To Aeo Or

Chapter 23 Ara

Chapter 24 Gary and the Alkons

Chapter 25 Zini

Chapter 26 Maris

Chapter 27 Ayden and Vree-Ar

Chapter 28 Late

Chapter 29 Jasper

Chapter 30 Medical

Chapter 31 Friends

Chapter 32 The Trials of Aeo Or

Chapter 33 Gary and Ayden

Chapter 34 Escape

Chapter 35 Rebellion

Chapter 36 Aeo Or’s Victory

Chapter 37 Celebrating Victory

Chapter 38 Reunited

Chapter 39 Freedom

Chapter 40 Outburst

Chapter 41 Goddess

Chapter 42 Questionable Decisions

Chapter 43 Ayden and Maranna

Chapter 44 Karus

Chapter 45 Different Destinations

Chapter 46 Epilogue

CHAPTER 1

Punk Kids

G ary Williams sat in front of his computer browsing pictures while his nephew Steven stood by casually drinking a soda and looking over his shoulder.

Are you really going to get another dog right now? Steven asked.

Are you really going to keep drinking that slop after all the things I told you it does to your body? Gary asked in return.

Gary Williams was retired now, but he had worked as doctor for 35 years, so he knew a good deal about health and nutrition. Even though Gary was 72 years old he was still physically active, and as a result his mobility was in no way impaired. In fact, he was actually a good deal stronger than many of the men half his age.

I’m sorry, Steven replied.

You will be, Gary remarked.

Right…

So… why do you ask me if I want to get another dog or not?

It’s just…

You think I’m getting old.

No! Well…

I know I’m old. There’s no ‘getting’ involved, I am old. You think it will be a lot of work for me, and you’re probably thinking that I don’t have that much time left, and who is going to take care of the dog if I kick it… Right?

Well… Mainly I just think it’s a little strange to be looking for a new dog so soon after the last one died. I mean, you had Wallace for the last 16 years, and he was a good dog and a good buddy that whole time, and he’s only been gone for two days. But I’m also wondering about those other things.

I need to keep active, or I will definitely go sooner rather than later.

Fair enough.

And just in case I don’t live to 100, then you can take care of the dog.

Alright.

I’m glad we’re clear, now are you coming with me?

No I can’t, I have to get back to my girlfriend in the next 30 minutes or she’s going to be mad at me.

Now you be careful with that, boy. If you start off letting her tell you what to do, then it’s only going to get worse.

It’s not like that, Uncle Gary.

Then how is it?

It’s just a matter of being considerate. Why upset her needlessly? She would give me the same consideration.

Would she now?

Yes.

Alright, get going then.

I’ll see you later, uncle.

Steven went out and shut the door behind him. Gary cast a casual glance toward the window and watched his nephew leave.

Going for a walk at this time of day was his tradition, and it had been for the last 20 years. But he had always had a dog with him, or another human. Going by himself just seemed pointless, especially given that he would also jog on the treadmill later that night.

Well I have to keep active, even if no one else is with me, he muttered.

Gary’s mind went back to a few weeks ago when his last dog was still alive. He was taking Wallace out for the daily walk at the usual time, when some young people happened to be passing by on their skateboards. Gary could not tell if they were in their late teens or early 20’s, but they were sloppily dressed and loud.

Anyways everyone under 30 is a kid compared to me.

The teenage boys skated around noisily and were already engaged in talking and laughing before Gary came along. One of them whooped and swung in close to Gary, then turned away at the last second. Both Gary and Wallace were startled.

Aww snap! the teenager said.

Be careful! Gary replied.

Or else what? the teenager said as he stepped off his skateboard.

He sauntered over to Gary with his arms spread out.

We own this part of the street now, the teenager said.

Oh yes? Gary replied. How many times have you paid taxes?

Wallace growled as the teenager stepped closer. He paused and looked down at the dog.

Just stay clear of our area, gramps, the teenager said.

Listen punk! Gary shouted. I’ve been living in this neighborhood longer than you have been alive. I’ll go wherever I want, and it would serve you well to watch where you are going! I don’t think you or your parents can afford a serious lawsuit.

Oh yea? the teenager said as he took a step closer.

Come on, man, let’s just go, said one of his friends.

The teen remained standing and gave Gary a wide-eyed stare, but Gary was unimpressed. His eyes narrowed and he sucked in his lips and bit them with anger.

The teens left, but the next day when he was on his walk they were there again. The same teenager from the day before swung in close with a jeer and his skateboard struck against the side of Wallace’s front leg. The dog yelped in pain, and in an aborted attempt to get away the teen slipped and fell off of his skateboard.

You little punk! Gary shouted. Watch where you’re going!

The teen sat up rubbing his head. He was somewhat dazed as he had crashed into the concrete barrier that lined the side of the bridge when he fell off his skateboard.

You aren’t responsible enough to have this! Gary said as he picked up the teenager’s skateboard.

Gary threw the skateboard over the side of the bridge into the swift moving muddy water below.

Man! the teenager shouted. You’re going to pay for that old man!

But Gary had already removed his cell phone and was pressing buttons. He swiftly took pictures of the teen and then dialed the police. The teenager rose to his feet and took a few menacing steps toward Gary, but paused when he saw what Gary was doing.

Let’s get out of here! one of the other teenagers said.

Gary told the police what happened and supplied pictures of the teenagers and the injury to his dog. Gary later learned that the young man who clipped his dog already had a police file, and after that call he did not see the teenagers again for weeks.

The injury to Wallace was not severe, but a few weeks later Wallace died anyways.

At least he died peacefully, and in his sleep, Gary mused.

The weather was colder now, and the leaves were beginning to fall from the trees. As Gary approached the bridge he saw the teenagers again, and this time there were more of them. They did not notice Gary, or at least, they did not acknowledge his presence, until he stepped onto the bridge.

Hey! one of the teenagers shouted.

It was the same one who had clipped Gary’s dog earlier, and he already had a new skateboard. Gary took his hands out of his pockets, but other than that he kept walking and acted as though he had not heard his young antagonist.

Hey, old man! the teenager shouted. I’m talking to you!

Better watch out, gramps, he’s really mad at you! said one of his friends.

Gary barred his teeth and kept walking. The teenagers ceased their motions and stood silently watching Gary as he passed over the bridge.

Is he gonna say anything? one of the teenagers mused.

He’s ignoring you, bro, another said.

You know you caused me a lot of problems old man! the first teenager said. You don’t just walk off while I’m talking to you. You have no idea what kind of person I am.

That was too much for Gary. He paused and looked at the angry teenager.

Yes, I do! Gary said. You’re not anyone special. You’re a punk kid, who was never raised properly, because his dad was never around, probably because he’s in jail. Well guess what, there is plenty of room left in jail, and if you keep going the way you are then you’ll be joining your dad sooner or later.

Then he turned away and resumed his walk, but he heard the teenager abruptly start moving again on his skateboard, with speed fueled by rage. Gary rotated as swiftly as he was able, just in time to prevent himself from being run over, and elbowed the teen in the face. The teenager landed on his back and stared upwards, as if he were looking through Gary rather than at him. Blood flowed freely from his nose, which was clearly smashed.

Gary picked up the teenager’s new skateboard and threw it over the side of the bridge. Then he grabbed him by the lapels and dragged him roughly to the concrete barrier.

The teenager attempted to squirm away, which almost caused Gary to lose his balance but he quickly recovered and kicked his opponent in the chest. Then he grabbed his young opponent by the face and pressed his head firmly into the concrete barrier.

You little punk! Gary snarled. Where do you get off attacking an old man?

You’re dead! the teenager shouted. J-just dead!

Gary leaned more of his weight into his opponent, increasing the pressure on the teenager’s head. His would be assailant’s expression quickly changed from one of unrestrained anger to unbridled fear.

Listen, you little rat! Gary said as he leaned in closer to his enemy. Maybe I’ll do this world a favor by taking you out of it!

Then something struck Gary in the back of the head with a loud clap. He pitched back away from the concrete barrier and lay in the street, his head was throbbing. The other teenagers were kicking him in his sides and he could do nothing about it, he could barely think. One was hitting him with a skateboard, which he guessed was probably the very thing which had stricken him in the back of the head. Gary had been so caught up in his anger that he forgot about his opponent’s friends.

His original attacker rose up, and together the three teens hoisted Gary and threw him over the side of the bridge. He plunged rapidly toward the muddy water and struck against it with such force that he felt the slap of the water even in his stunned and barely conscious state.

In the last few seconds he felt the water as if it were a distant thing, and as his broken body sank beneath the surface everything faded to black.

CHAPTER 2

The Valley

G ary woke up with a start and gasped for air. Though he had lost consciousness after being thrown into the river, somehow he did not drown, and was now lying on his back on the ground somewhere.

The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was the sky. He had no idea how long he was unconscious, but it was long enough for the light to change. The sky was an abnormally deep shade of blue directly overhead, and something else was different, but it was hard for him to determine exactly what.

There’s clouds, but there’s nothing unusual about that…

Gary narrowed his eyes, and in the deep blue overhead he began to see a faint film of swirling color. It was barely visible, and it was only in a limited area overhead, but there it was, purple, yellow, and green, as if one were observing the sheen of an enormous bubble, but from the inside. He closed and opened his eyes a few times, then he rubbed them and looked again.

Whatever that weirdness is, it’s definitely there. Either that or there’s something seriously wrong with my brain.

When Gary sat up he noticed something else. He seemed to be lighter, and there was something unusual when he rubbed his eyes, but that would have to wait, because there was strange vegetation growing nearby.

Gary was in a grassy valley, and there was a stream nearby which broke into clear still pools as it passed through that grassy place. The grass was about half a foot long, and was an aqua blue or blue-green color. There were many flowering plants scattered throughout the grass, and the flowers came in all colors. Right next to Gary was a plant with a powder blue stalk and leaves, and a four inch long, cup-shaped, purple flower, which was transparent like plastic, but felt like a regular flower to the touch.

What on Earth? Gary mused out loud.

Then Gary noticed his hand. He turned it over with a start, and clenched and unclenched his fist multiple times. The skin was tight and devoid of wrinkles and spots. He reached up and felt his face, and immediately found that the skin was tight and smooth. The transformation was startling and difficult to process.

Gary got up and ran to the side of a nearby pool where he bent over to observe himself. All signs of age were gone. He appeared to be about 19 or 20 years old, but the muscle mass he had gained as an adult had remained. When he had actually been 20 years old he was scrawny.

That’s it, I’ve died and gone to Heaven, Gary said. That must be what it is, because there’s no pain, and there was no way I could have survived that incident. Ha! Who would have thought I would actually make it here!

Then Gary stood up and looked around. The valley was punctuated by wild growths of forest which appeared to be dark green at a glance, but there were other colors included, such as yellow, purple, and red.

I always heard ‘narrow is the path’ but there should at least be a few other people here, Gary mused. I don’t see anyone, or any sign of anyone. And the trees… Is it Fall in Heaven? What kind of plants are these flowers?

Gary turned back toward the water and hunched over once more to study his reflection.

This is too much, he said.

Gary stood up and turned around, but as he took a step away from the water he tripped over something and sprawled forward onto the ground. As he struck the ground he felt abrupt pain. His skin was punctured by a rock, and as he wiped the dirt away he noticed blood welling up from the wound.

Well… I guess it’s not Heaven after all, Gary mumbled. I guess that means I’m still alive… but where and how?

Gary heard a moan behind him, and as he looked back toward the pool he saw a man stirring at his feet. The man had not been there when Gary approached the water, but somehow he was there now, and with a start Gary realized that the newcomer must have been what he tripped on. He quickly moved away as the man rose to a sitting position, blinked, and looked around.

The newcomer also appeared to be in his early 20’s. He was taller and more muscular than Gary. He had buzzcut lemon-yellow hair, and his face was rimmed by an equally short beard with the mustache clean-shaven. The most remarkable feature about the man was his light cerulean-blue skin, which caused Gary to blink and question his senses once more. Aside from that one odd feature the man seemed entirely human.

When the man turned to face Gary, he seemed to have a friendly enough expression on his face. He had blue eyes which were nearly the same color as his skin. His cheerful demeanor and mannerisms led Gary to believe that he was genuinely young, and not an old man who had been rejuvenated as Gary had.

Kalai! the blue man said. Kol ai arok?

Wow, slow it down there, kid, Gary said. No hablo… whatever language that is. Either we do English or we’re up a creek without a paddle.

Another cheerful expression spread across the blue man’s face and he clapped his hands.

Ah! he said. English it is then.

You… you know English? Gary asked.

Of course I do, the blue man said. This is…

The blue man hesitated and looked around, then said, This is… Where is this?

I was hoping you could tell me that, Gary replied.

I have no idea. Are you from the experiment?

No… And I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.

The experiment to breach the universe using thaer nodules?

Now that makes even less sense.

You’re not from Atlantis then?

From what? Atlantis is a myth, right?

Ah! Praise to the Great Maker, the experiment was a success then. And here I thought I was dead…

The blue man smiled and rose to his feet. Gary also rose up, and it turned out that the blue man was about two inches taller than Gary.

My name is Ayden Strauss! the blue man said as he extended a hand toward Gary.

Gary stared at his hand blankly for a few seconds, then took it and said, My name is Gary Williams.

Excellent! I’m pleased to meet you Gary Williams. Where are we?

I don’t know.

You speak English, and you aren’t from Atlantis, so this must be…

Ayden paused to look around for a moment.

Earth? he said after some time. Is this Earth? I never imagined Earth to be like this…

Gary felt something press against his leg. He looked down to see a snake-like creature slither across the top of his foot. He froze in terror, but his fear was quickly overwhelmed by confusion. The creature was covered with white fur, and had a rodent-like head with glossy black mammalian eyes, which briefly fixed on Gary establishing eye contact between man and beast. For a moment they studied one another with curiosity, then the creature slithered away as if nothing happened.

If this is Earth then I’m losing my mind, Gary said.

So it’s not Earth then? Ayden asked. I suppose that makes sense. This place is definitely not like what I’ve seen about Earth, or at least read about it.

Listen, I’m terribly confused. I have some questions that need answers.

Well you can ask me, and I’ll try to answer them, but I just got here myself.

Alright, first of all, who are you, and where are you from?

I’m Ayden Strauss, and I’m from Atlantis.

No, I mean… I need answers that make sense. This is an alien planet, right?

Planet!

Yes.

I don’t know.

Gary looked down and slapped his forehead with his palm.

I’m sorry, I forgot you’re from Earth, Ayden said. Wow, an actual Earthman! I never imagined meeting another Earth man, other than my great ancestor.

Alright, start with that, Gary said. You’re not an Earthman…

That’s right! At least, not completely one…

You’re not from Earth, but you know about it.

Everyone in Atlantis knows about Earth. Probably everyone in the world…

What world?

Oh yeah… I guess it has been pretty much a one way exchange…

What has? Start from the beginning. If you’re not from Earth then how do you speak English, and how do you know about Atlantis?

Well, I guess the people of Earth don’t know because the US government kept it a secret, but the US military was doing experiments with instantaneous travel, Ayden said. "The idea was that if someone could leave your universe, they could re-enter at any point. They made an experimental vehicle to test that theory, and my ancestor, Roger Strauss, was chosen as the test pilot. But something went wrong.

After leaving his own universe, Roger Strauss ended up in our universe. He became a great hero in our world, and took out the worst enemy our world had ever known. After that, he and his wife founded a new country, and called it Atlantis, because the land we live on was raised up from the bottom of the ocean. I know that in your world the real Atlantis story is kind of the opposite of that, but Roger wanted to give it a unique name, and it still sort of fits. That was three hundred years ago, and I am one of his great, great, grandsons. He tries to make time to get around to all of us, but it’s hard.

He tries to make time to get around to you all? Gary said. Are you jacking with me, kid? How can he do that if he’s dead?

Ayden stared at Gary with a confused expression.

Whatever gave you the idea that he’s dead? Ayden replied. I never said that.

You said that he came about 300 years ago, Gary replied.

Yes… So?

So he can’t still be alive.

Oh that’s right! People in your universe don’t live that long. Only about 100 years or so. Well in our universe the average life expectancy is about 900 years, but some people live to be over 1000, and Roger Strauss hasn’t even started aging yet.

Alright, even if I accept that, you said he came to your universe, did he bring his wife with him? Were they sending married couples on the test flight? And how did you guys come to be blue if you’re descended from humans?

No. He met her in our world, and we have always been blue.

So then how did they reproduce and have children together. Different species aren’t supposed to be inter-fertile. Sometimes when different species are similar enough they can have kids, but then the kids are sterile.

Ayden looked confused again.

No, no, no! he said after some time. They aren’t different… What do you call them? Species? No, we are also humans, we just have different colored skins and hair from Earth type humans.

How is that possible?

Well we were all designed by the same intelligence, so it makes sense that he might use a design more than once. As an engineer I can shed some light on that. If we come up with a really good design that has multiple applications, we’ll reuse the design. We’ll apply it in as many contexts as we can because we know it works. The same is probably true about the human form.

OK, assuming I can accept that, you’re telling me that you’re completely human, except for the blue skin?

On my world having blue skin is completely human and normal, but we also have people with white skin and brown skin. Up until Roger Strauss came no one ever imagined that humans with your skin color existed, but there are a lot of people like that in Atlantis now because of my ancestor.

Alright, so if this isn’t your world, then how did you get here?

I was part of a team of scientists trying to find a way to break out of the physical universe. Something went wrong, probably an overload, and it seemed like the lab was about to explode! But instead of getting blown up I ended up here. Wherever ‘here’ is…

So you have no ideas?

None. This is definitely an alien place. We could be in my universe, or your universe, or another universe which doesn’t belong to either of us. Also, I don’t see anyone else around, so I may be the only one who came here.

So we’re stuck then?

I don’t know about stuck… But we are definitely in a new place that I don’t recognize.

This is a nightmare…

What? No way! This is awesome. We have discovered a new world. We get to explore! Imagine all the things we can find here!

Imagine all the ways we could die.

Don’t be so glum. You should focus on the positive things rather than the negative.

Such as?

Well, for one, we found each other, and we both happen to speak the same language, so we can help each other. Also, we arrived here safely, and we are both in good health.

Gary grunted.

There is that. With this younger body I’m better equipped to cope with whatever difficulties we might encounter.

But I don’t want to be here, Gary said.

Look, I know it’s not home, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be if we’re stuck here, Ayden said. There’s an old Earth saying, ‘home is where the heart is.’ But I don’t even like to say ‘stuck,’ since it has some negative undertones to it. We have no reason to think we’ve come to a bad place or worse place then where we came from.

We have no idea what is here.

We have an opportunity to explore a completely alien world, and if there are people here, then we have an opportunity to represent our cultures to them. We should be on our best behavior.

Or they might just eat us.

Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

Ayden reached behind his head and removed what appeared to be a sword from a sheath which was strapped to his back. The blade was blue, and glistened in the light. Ayden twirled it around a few times before putting it back into its scabbard.

I still have my sword, he said.

What’s an engineer doing with a sword? Gary asked.

All Atlanteans carry swords with them. It’s part of our culture.

What good is a sword?

On my world we fight with swords. In ancient times we fought with guns for a while, but now we have the technology to block fast moving projectiles, so projectile weapons are obsolete, and we’re back to fighting with swords again. Maybe someday the culture of Earth will progress that far.

Alright, so you have a sword. What good is it here?

We can hunt.

Do you know how to hunt?

A little…

Well fortunately I know a bit about hunting as well. Have you ever hunted before?

Ah… no.

Gary rolled his eyes.

I know that gesture! Ayden said. It’s intended to show disgust or exasperation!

Gary said nothing, but he felt tempted to roll his eyes again. The younger man was so optimistic that it struck him as unrealistic or naïve.

How did you get here, Gary Williams? Ayden asked.

I don’t know, Gary replied.

What were you doing before you arrived here?

I was… I was in a fight with some much younger people. One of them attacked me. I was winning, but then one of his friends hit me over the head with something. I think it was his skateboard. Then they kicked me for a bit and threw me over the side of a bridge. I honestly thought I was dead.

Then what?

Then I blacked out and woke up here. A little bit later I tripped over you.

So you weren’t here long at all then…

No.

But why and how? Those are the questions… Were there any experiments going on nearby?

I don’t think so.

Nothing in your area?

No.

Are you sure?

As far as I know there was nothing weird going on, other than some punk kids being punks.

What?

Some teenagers, just a little younger than you I would guess.

Well, I can’t explain it, except that there must have been something going on in your immediate area to bring you here.

I can’t imagine. I feel like I’m going insane.

It’s alright. You’re going to be fine. Roger Strauss has already been through this, and there was one of him, but there are two of us here.

Well… alright… I suppose the first thing we should do is take an inventory of our resources. I have nothing with me but my clothes, my wallet, and my keys. You have a sword. Do you have anything that will hold water?

No.

Do you have anything that can be used to start a fire?

I have this welding tool, Ayden said as he removed a small rectangular machine from one pocket.

Good, let’s use that sparingly though, Gary replied.

OK. What else?

We should try to find some shelter.

Shouldn’t we try to reach a city?

No not yet. First, we need to find shelter and a source of drinking water, then we can worry about that.

Alright! I’m ready whenever you are.

Let’s go then.

CHAPTER 3

Water

S o I have a question, Ayden Strauss began. On Earth, you have these things called ‘hot dogs,’ right?

Yes, Gary replied.

But they’re not actually made out of dogs?

Goodness, no!

OK, that’s good, but then why are they called ‘hot dogs’?

I have no idea.

Do they resemble dogs?

No.

Then?

I don’t know.

They had been walking for hours, and the light had grown visibly dimmer, but it was not yet sunset. So far they had found no source of water other than a few streams, and they had seen no large animals or any sign of intelligent life.

Did you leave anyone behind, Gary? Ayden asked.

Just some nephews and nieces, Gary replied. I never had any kids of my own.

Well… that’s alright, I guess you just weren’t old enough yet.

Hah!

But you have nephews and nieces, so then..?

Not everyone has kids, and not everyone gets married.

But marriage and children are blessings. It’s written that—

Have you been married or had kids?

No…

Ever been in a relationship before?

No.

Then you have some finding out to do. You shouldn’t call it a blessing until you have some experience.

You have some?

Yes, and if your experiences with marriage were going to be anything like mine then you’re not missing much. But I guess on this world you won’t get a chance to find out.

Why do you say that?

It’s an alien world. So far we haven’t seen any signs of intelligent life, and even if we did, there is no reason to assume that they would be similar enough to us to reproduce with.

Have a little faith, we are here for a reason. Roger Strauss came into our world with nothing and no one, but the Great Maker used him to make our world a better place, and all of his needs were taken care of.

Alright, I know you’re optimistic about everything, so for now I’m just going to say that we focus on our immediate needs, and after that we’ll see what happens.

Agreed, I’m hungry.

So am I.

As they walked they passed a tree bearing round dark fruits which were blue-gray in color, and about the size of baseballs. The leaves of the tree were dark green on top and silvery on their undersides. Ayden paused and plucked a fruit.

He looked at the fruit, brushed it off, and was about to take a bite when Gary gripped him firmly by the wrist.

Stop! Gary shouted as he removed the alien sphere from Ayden’s grasp. What do you think you’re doing?

I thought I would eat it, Ayden replied casually.

No! No, and no! Have a little sense, man! You don’t just pick up strange fruits in an unknown environment and start eating them.

But it’s almost exactly like the korai fruit of my world.

OK, the key word here is ‘ALMOST.’ ‘Almost’ does not mean ‘the same as.’ This isn’t your world and it isn’t mine. You don’t just go around eating strange foliage that you don’t KNOW anything about. That’s how people get very sick and possibly die in the wilderness. Do you want to eat that too?

Gary pointed at a fluorescent pink alien mushroom which was nearly a foot tall. Ayden looked down at the mushroom and then looked back up at Gary.

But the Great Maker made fruit for men to eat.

What is all this ‘Great Maker’ stuff?

I’m sorry, the Great Maker is what we call the intelligence who designed all worlds.

So you’re religious then.

Of course.

Alright, we have a similar teaching on my world, but still, not everything was made for eating, and even if that’s the case on your world, we aren’t on your world. I’m a medical doctor, and hunting, fishing, and hiking are hobbies of mine. So I know that you can’t just eat anything and everything. Is that what you do in your world?

No… But it does look like this was made for eating, and it does look similar.

But the resemblance could be entirely superficial.

We have to eat.

Yes, we have to eat. OK, here’s what I’m going to suggest. For now we ought to stick to eating animals, fish, and birds.

But that’s also alien life. Aren’t the animals just as likely to be toxic as the fruit?

Even if it’s alien life, this atmosphere is breathable for us, and there is a life here. That means there is going to be a food chain which works on a similar principle to what we have in our worlds. The biochemistry should be similar enough for us to get the needed nutrients, but before we eat anything we will make sure it’s thoroughly cooked. We’ll avoid anything that looks like a poison producing gland, and just stick with eating the muscle tissue. Once we figure out what critters we like to eat, we’ll watch and see what sort of plants the animals eat, and that way we can figure out what sorts of fruits and vegetables are safe.

Alright… you’re the expert…

Good, now let’s find water…

Gary tossed the fruit aside and resumed his walk. Ayden looked at the fruit wistfully for a moment and then he followed after Gary.

Gary decided to follow a smaller stream which was one of the tributaries for the larger stream that they had both arrived near. They followed the course of the smaller stream into a forest, and when they entered the forest it filled Gary with a sense of awe.

The trees were enormous, and as a result the undergrowth was limited. There was green moss and sparse green grass here and there, both of which were very Earth-like, but then much of the forest floor was covered with flowering plants that were nearly a foot tall. They bore bright red flowers, and the stalks and leaves were just as red as the flowers. Most of the trees had bright green leaves far overhead, but every once in a while they passed one with pink or blue leaves, and there were yellow flowering vines wrapping around many of the trunks.

This is amazing! Ayden exclaimed. Have you ever seen such a forest before, Gary?

No… I haven’t, Gary replied. It is amazing, and a little frightening.

It’s a paradise. I am so glad I lived to see such awesomeness and beauty.

Gary looked back at Ayden and caught the blue man looking up at the forest canopy, with his mouth hanging partly open.

Ayden, Gary said.

Ayden looked back down and focused on Gary.

Yes, Gary? he replied.

I should have asked you this earlier, but…

Gary hesitated. He had never cared much for discussing personal issues with strangers, at least, in a non-medical capacity.

But since I’m going to be traveling with this guy, I had better know what sort of fellow he is.

Who did you leave behind on your world? Gary asked. Will you be missed?

I left behind nine brothers and ten sisters, Ayden replied. My parents had ten of each. Then I also have cousins, second cousins, aunts, uncles, great aunts and uncles, parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and of course my great, great grandparents, including Roger Strauss. I think they will miss me, and I know I will miss them, but if this is where I’m supposed to be then I’m glad to be here. And anyways, I’m here, so I’m going to make the best of it. I will remember my brothers and sisters in my prayers, regardless of whether or not I return to them in this life.

That’s a big family.

Oh yes, you see, Roger Strauss was from your world, and in your world people don’t live very long, so they tend to have children young and don’t pace themselves. At least, compared with our world where people live for about 1000 years. So he had lots of children, and the custom carried on over the next few generations. There are many people in my country who come from the Strauss family.

Do you think they will ever slow down?

I don’t know for sure, but probably so.

Aren’t your people worried about overpopulation?

No. We can colonize other worlds if needed. Roger Strauss has opened the stars to the people of our world. There are already a few human colonies on other worlds, in fact.

Your people must be very advanced.

Ayden shrugged.

I suppose you could say that, he said.

Do you suppose they could find us here? Gary asked.

Possibly.

But not likely?

I didn’t say that. The other members of my team would have to know where to look, even if they are still in my universe. There will still be an investigation even if all the people who were on my team are gone. If my people figure it out then they might try to rescue us or send us supplies, but even if they don’t, I’m still not worried. You know, it’s possible that the other members of my team might be here as well. We should keep an eye out for them.

Or they’re all dead.

If they’re dead then they are with the Great Maker, but there is no reason to assume they’re dead. They probably got shunted someplace else, just like I did. Or, they might all still be in Atlantis and just fine. It’s possible that I was the only one who got blasted here.

Gary grunted. It seemed to him that Ayden’s optimism was beyond reason, but as he thought about it further he realized that he could have been stuck with a much worse companion, or none at all.

At least this Ayden fellow is cooperative, and he isn’t whining, complaining, or making unreasonable demands.

You’re a good kid, Ayden, Gary said.

I have a question, Gary, Ayden said.

Shoot.

Why do you keep calling me a kid? Is that how age peers address one another on your world?

No, but… you aren’t actually an age peer. I’m a lot older than I look.

On my world people don’t start aging until they hit 250, and then it is not until much later that they start to look older.

Well alright, I’m 72. How old are you Ayden?

72! But on Earth that would make you…

Very old, yes.

But you don’t look old.

Somehow my body was rejuvenated when I came here. I just woke up like this.

Wow, that’s amazing! It’s a miracle!

Maybe… But… you mean you actually believe me?

Of course.

Do you just trust everyone?

Well… I trust northerners and Atlanteans, and when it comes to other people that depends on if they seem trustworthy or not. You seem trustworthy, so I believe you.

Well, you lucked out. As it turns out, I actually am trustworthy.

Our years are about the same length as Earth years, but not quite the same. I am 24, which may be about 23 going on 24 in Earth years. I could do the math and give you an exact equivalency though. I’ll just perform the calculations right now…

No, that’s OK.

There’s a few days difference because of your so called leap years, but I can adjust for that and—

I don’t care. You’re 24, that’s fine.

But, I really like doing math.

Well then go ahead and do the math.

Thank you, I will!

Ayden fell silent for a few minutes, and then stated a new number for his age which included days and hours. Gary nodded his head but said nothing.

The stream broke into smaller streams. They followed one up the side of a steep hill, and eventually came to a rocky outcropping from which a fresh cool spring flowed. Gary bent down over the spring and hesitated for a moment, then he sniffed at the water. When he was satisfied that nothing was amiss he drank some of the water.

Well? Ayden said.

I think it’s OK, Gary replied. So we found a good source of drinking water, now we need to find shelter for the night. There’s no telling what kind of animals are here.

Ayden shrugged.

If only I had a gun.., Gary mused.

He looked up at Ayden to see if the younger man had any suggestions, but Ayden simply stared back at him.

Tell me about your sword, is it functional or is it mainly ceremonial? Gary asked.

It’s functional, Ayden replied. We fight with them.

How sharp is it?

As sharp as it needs to be. It’s made from northern steel.

What does that mean?

On my world the northern people are the best weapons makers. They live mostly in the far north, and have blue skin.

Are you one of those people?

Not entirely. We Atlanteans are mixed, but we know how to make the northern steel about as well as most of the northerners.

So what’s so special about northern steel?

The blades are sharp enough to cut through anything except for northern steel, and other substances which are just as hard, assuming they exist. They can easily cut through any kind of plants and animals without ever needing to be sharpened. They can also cut through stone and most types of metals, especially unrefined metals, but if you cut through heavy stone and metal for long enough the blade will eventually get dull.

That’s hard to believe.

You should believe me. I never lie.

Well…

We Atlanteans never lie, neither do full-blooded northerners. And anyways, we have no reason to distrust each other.

Alright, well, give me a demonstration then.

Ayden took out his sword and in one swift motion he swept it through the trunk of a nearby tree, which was about a foot and a half in diameter. He swept the sword through the trunk with a flick of his wrist, and with the same level of ease and swiftness as a man might swat an insect. Then