What's Out There?

Chapter One

The sun was brightly shining over the city of Shuka, there was peace on the planet. Children were playing childhood games with each other, birds were chirping love songs and other beautiful music that was pleasant to the ear. It was a glorious day to be alive at such a time, indeed it was a marvelous time to be alive.

Nokev, an engineer by trade, was sitting at a computer console in his workshop. Over his lifetime he had worked on several different projects trying to improve the society in which he lived.

For over ten millenia the city of Shuka had found peace, Nokev wanted to continue that peace for as long as possible. He was always interested when other civilizaitons from other worlds would come to Shuka and share experiences and literary arts with his people. Because of the strict religious rules, he with other fellow Shukians were not allowed to go outside of the city limits. Nokev had always wondered why they weren't allowed to expand their horizions as he liked to put it. The answer was always the same. The religious council, which also ran the city, believed that there was nothing but evil outside the city limits. Nokev never fully understood the doctrine, but he obeyed anyway along with his fellow brothers and sisters.

Since the council believed that evil was present outside of the Shuka city limits, Nokev decided that he would bypass the city limits completely and go beyond them. Nokev remembered the day that he first thought about constructing a space vessel. He was sitting at home one evening discussing religion with his wife. At that time in his life, he had many questions concerning what was beyond their universe. Sure they had visitors from other planets in the past, but those were mostly from neighboring planets in the solar system. He wanted to see what was beyond those. Nokev wanted to visit other places for a change. It was nice to receive visitors, but he wanted to be on the otherside being greeted instead of being the greeter. Nokev was lost in thought as he pondered the past, and even moreso as he began to ponder the possibilities of a possible future among the stars.

"Incoming Message." The words flashed on a computer screen infront of Nokev bringing him back to reality and away from his daydream, for a moment. Nokev activated a few controls allowing the message to appear on the screen, it was a memo from the city's religious council.

TO: Nokev
FROM: Religious Council of Shuka
RE: Space flight to other worlds.

Nokev, we have reviewed the information you have sent us and carefully considered it. At this time we feel it is a waste to continue in this exercise. We feel that your ideas about contacting other species outside of our solar system is both unsafe and not practical. We understand how much work you have put into this project and are sorry for any inconveience this may have presented you.

Sincerely the council.

At this information Nokev hit his fist against the desk at which he was seated. They don't understand. He thought to himself. They're just afraid of the unknown and what wonderful possibilities there are out in space. They just simply don't understand! He paused, allowing his mind to focus more. I will make them understand. Nokev stood from his workstation and walked over to a platform with a computer console infront of it. The platform had an object covered by a large white sheet. Nokev walked up to the console and activated a few controls. A diagram of a space vehicle appeared. As Nokev looked at the console, he could only feel a greater desire to launch the ship and continue on with his dream. After a few moments passed, he pulled back the sheet allowing the space vehicle to get some sunlight for the first time in months. Nokev moved closer to the ship and put his hand on the front of it.

"Don't worry my friend, I will not allow them to stop us, we will make it." He said almost believing that the ship could hear him and was an actual form of life. Nokev walked back over to the workstation and picked up a few papers. He then walked out the door and made his way towards the council hall in the middle of the city.

Chapter Two

The council hall wasn't too crowded that day. The six members sat behind a huge oak desk at the back of the room allowing them to easily speak with one another and anyone else they were speaking with. At the current moment, they were speaking with a gentleman who had burn marks up and down the right side of his body. As Nokev entered the hall, he could hear the final words of the council to this man.

"We find you guilty of treason." One of the council members that was sitting on the end said. "If you had followed our wishes and not left the city, and went into the outside world, you would not have gotten yourself into such trouble. Hopefully this will teach you a lesson." The man paused. "How do you feel about your actions?"

The man looked down to his feet, not knowing exactly what to say back. "I know that what I have done was wrong. And I ask forgiveness for this act of treason."

A woman seated at the table picked up a piece of paper. "Tomov, consider this hearing a warning. You will not be punished at this time. However, if you continue in this evil practice, you will be tried again and next time you will not be as lucky." She paused allowing the information to sink into his mind. "Is that clear?"

The man known as Tomov, nodded his head. "Yes. I understand." He replied with gratitude in his voice. "I will never do it again, I promise."

"Very well." The female council member replied. "You may leave."

Tomov turned and walked out the door. Nokev watched him leave with a certain fear on his face. The council had truely been easy on him. Ever since the council began over 10 millenia ago, they had a certain force of power with them. It was difficult to explain and even more difficult to understand. Most people knew to obey the laws, but on a few occasions the council had to enforce the law. It wasn't too often that they put forth such force, but it was known to happen on more than one occasion.

"What do you want?" The female council member asked Nokev. "Didn't you get our message?"

Nokev stepped closer to the council desk allowing him to better look the members of the council in the eyes. He stood firm, bold as a ship on the sea ready for battle. He collected his thoughts before he spoke, making sure he would phrase his argument correctly and hopefully attain what he wanted. "Yes, I did get your message." He paused, allowing himself to take a deep breath. "I thought that you might have not fully taken into consideration my entire proposal." He held out a few papers. "I've brought my documents for your review."

"We've already seen those." The female council member said. "Our decision stands."

"Kerta" Nokev continued, "Please review them again. I know that what I've come up with will help benefit this entire society."

Kerta looked to the other council members who shook their heads in disagreement. They fully understood their stand on Nokev's proposal and didn't want to continue with any of it. They felt that they had taken the necessary time to understand what Nokev wanted to do, and had decided against it all. To them it was an attack on their way of life, both scientific and religious.

"We have made our decision. You will not be allowed to continue with the Shuka One Project. You must step down and move on to other projects." Kerta said in a cold voice. "If you do not, we will be forced to take your shop from you and everything you enjoy at this present time concerning your project."

Nokev placed the papers on the desk. "Listen Kerta. We've known each other for over 30 years. We grew up together, you were my first best friend I ever had. I'm asking you now, as a friend to review the information. You may have these copies if you've lost yours. Just please review it."

Kerta looked down to the papers and thought about what Nokev had just said. It was true, they grew up next door neighbors and were really strong friends. She pondered about what would be the right course of action, her fellow council members clearly didn't like Nokev, they felt his ideas were too 'radical' for the time. "Nokev, we have made our decision, it stands. Please do not bring this subject up to us again. You are dismissed."

Nokev stared his friend in the eyes. "I understand." He picked up the papers from off the desk and exited the council hall and proceeded home.

The walk home felt rather long. True it was a short distance, but still it felt long. Nokev felt the weight of the council's ruling upon his shoulders. He wasn't pleased with their decision, but there wasn't anything he could really do about it. All he could do was hope that something would change their minds in the future. Nokev planed to go back to the council in a few months to re-submit his proposal to them. Hopefully they would change their mind by then and allow him to continue on with his dream of spaceflight.

Chapter Three

FIVE MONTHS LATER

Nokev once again found himself at the council hall. Once again, he stood in front of the council awaiting an answer. His appeal was the same, it hadn't changed much over the past few months. A few things were tweeked here and there, a few things added, and some removed; but all in all the proposal was exactly the same. The principle was would they allow him to go into space or not. To leave the city limits, the planet and test out a theory or two. He hoped that they would allow him to do so, but he could never tell exactly what was going on through the minds of the council. They were always able to surprise him in one form or another.

Kerta looked at Nokev with a blank facial expression. "So what you're telling me is that you just want to launch your rocket and orbit our planet?"

Nokev nodded his head. "Yes. That's all I ask of you." He had decided to take things step by step instead of taking five at a time. He wanted to just get a ship into space and run a few tests to see how it felt in space among other things.

"So, you don't want to visit other solar systems anymore?" Another council member asked.

Nokev shook his head. "No sir, not at this time. I simply want to leave this planet for a small moment, orbit it a few times and then come back. I don't have the resources to travel faster than light. I'm still working on that stage of the rocket, but that won't even be near completion for another five or so years."

Kerta looked down at the desk, papers were scattered all over it. The majority of the papers were Nokev's research reports. He had brought them again for the council to review. This time they had actually taken the time to review the research again, considering Nokev made a few corrections. "Fine. Nokev, we give you permission to take a test flight and orbit our planet, but nothing more. If we find that you have left our solar system, your project will be band and shut down completely."

Nokev nodded his head. "Thank you so much. I appreciate your time." He picked up the papers from the desk and continued out the door. The last time he left the hall, it was a slow walk home. This time around, it didn't seem slow at all. He was greatful to have a chance to prove to the council that what he was doing was right. That it was time for Shuka to venture out into space and move forward in knowledge. He couldn't wait to continue his work and launch the rocket.

July 6, 2150

Back at his workshop, Nokev walked over to the platform with the rocket that was covered by the sheet. As he uncovered the rocket a smile formed on his face. He couldn't help but feel good as he began to realize what possibilities spaceflight could offer his people; being very anxious to leave the planet, Nokev was ready to test out his invention.

Nokev flipped a few switches here and there inside the rocket, preparing it for launch. As he did so, the engine started up and made a gentle humming sound inside his workshop. The vibrations that came with the sound were both soothing and relaxing. Nokev continued to feel that what he was doing was the right choice and best for the planet. As he continued to tweek and calibrate his space craft, he began to think of his wife, or rather his ex-wife. Norev had left him over two months earlier. She grew tired of Nokev always working late into the evening and didn't like the fact that he was never around; that he never had time for her. Nokev couldn't blame her. He had been pretty busy over the past months trying to figure out a way to make the council listen to him. He wanted them to approve his wishes of entering into space and taking Shuka into a new frontier and totally forgot his wife in the process. Nokev didn't ever mean to hurt his wife, but the damage had been done and there was nothing he could do about it. She moved on to another phase of her life and he could only follow her lead and move on with his life as well. Nokev still had bad dreams at night because of the divorce. When the religious council found out about it, they were furious. Kerta couldn't believe how a man such as Nokev could put his wife second place to his work, she almost had Nokev exiled to outside the city but decided against it at the last moment because of the evil there. She didn't want to have to put her friend through any of that. Nokev was grateful that Kerta decided not to banish him, that he was allowed to continue in the city and continue on his project. But the emotional scars were still in his heart and that was punishment enough.

As Nokev completed preparatinos for his first test flight, he felt a cold draft enter the room. Turning to see where the draft came from, Nokev realized that the door had opened. As he looked to who opened the door, Nokev dropped an instrument he was holding. A female was standing in the doorway.

"What are you doing here?" Nokev asked in astonishment.

"Is that any way to greet your ex?" Norev replied. Her words were crisp and cold, but there was a certain playful manner to them. She walked over to Nokev and placed his hand in her hand. "I wanted to drop by and wish you luck."

Nokev released her hand and shook his head. "No, I don't deserve it, especially after what I did to you."

Norev smiled. "It's all right. I forgive you for what you've done." She paused trying to figure out how to express her feelings for the man she had been married to for the past three years. "I wanted to tell you, that even though you overlooked me at times for your work; you were a good support to me. I hope that your test flight goes well."

Nokev stopped shaking his head and looked into Norev's eyes. She was still beautiful, as beautiful as the day he met her. He was still in love with her, but knew that it wouldn't get anywhere anytime soon. "I wanted to appologize also for placing my work before you. It was wrong and I should have known better."

Norev nodded her head. "Yes, I know." She raised her left hand, on it was the wedding ring that Nokev had given her three years ago. She held her hand out so Nokev could clearly view the ring. "If you ever want to come home, you know where I live."

Nokev couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What are you talking about?" He looked down to her hand, sure enough it was the same ring; but why was she doing this?

Norev smiled. "After this flight is overwith, we can try and pick up where we left off." And then with a sense of fear her smile went away. "Can't we?"

Nokev rubbed his forhead. "Why are you doing this? I thought you weren't interested anymore; that I had damaged things enough."

"I've changed my mind. I am entitled to that, aren't I?"

Nokev nodded his head. "Yes, you always have a choice to do whatever you want. I'm just confused at it all."

"Don't be confused, just say yes." She replied. "We'll figure the rest out later."

An alarm sounded and words flashed upon the screen. They read:

LAUNCH WINDOW CLOSING

Nokev looked to the controls and then back to Norev. "I have to go, my launch window is closing. If I don't launch in a few minutes, I won't have another window for two more years!"

Norev nodded her head. "Do what you must. Just promise me that you'll find me again." She waited for an answer.

Nokev proceeded to put on his helmet and strap himself in the vessel. As he was doing so, his mind was racing about what to do. If he did re-marry her, the council would be pleased and would hopefully get off his case. He punched a few controls, everything was ready to go except for his answer. He hesitated a few more seconds and then finally turned his attention back to his wife.

"All right. I'll be back and we can discuss it more fully." He paused. "Until then, wait for me."

Norev smiled again. "It's a deal." She walked towards the door and exited her husband's shop.

As she exited, the vessel known as Shuka One lifted off the ground and headed for outer space, headed towards the unknown. Nokev's mind wasn't completely on the project anymore, he was partially thinking about his ex-wife and what would happen when he returned.

This isn't too bad. Nokev thought to himself as the roket continued into the blue sky over the planet known as Shuka. He couldn't believe what was happening, that he was actually making his dream come true. It was no longer a wish or a goal. It became a reality, one that was quickly moving along at over 700 Comeks an Hour and quickly increasing. As Nokev continued to read his instruments he watched with amazement as the blue sky turned to a dark black background with twinkling dots known as stars. He was reaching the outer limits of his atmosphere and moving upwards towards space; towards the realm of the unknown for his people. Nokev made sure everyhing on the rocket was functioning properly. All of the onboard instruments were at peak performance and he had video equipment recording it all. If I turn this information over to the council, they'll approve my original plea for sure. Nokev thought to himself as he started to hum a childhood song. After a few more minutes, he was completely outside of Shuka's ozone layer. Nokev hit a few controls and shut down the engines so he wouldn't violate the agreement with the council he had made.

Nokev accessed a few controls to activate a recording device. "Shuka One Log July 6, 2150." He began. "I have successfully left the planet of Shuka in the rocket I designed. So far, I'm running diagnostics to make sure everything on the rocket is working properly and ready for the next stage of my testing. I plan to orbit the planet a few times and then return to my launch bay where I will then present my findings to the religious council and await their direction. End Log."

Nokev set the recording device down as he continued to check out the systems, several readouts appeared on the screen stating that no damage had come to the rocket on the trip up. He smiled at the results; Nokev had proved that space flight wasn't dangerous for Shukians as the council had once thought. He checked the video feed and made sure that everything was still recording properly. They're going to love this footage. He thought to himself. I am the only Shukian to leave our planet in our history, what an amazing honor this is; and I'm a part of it! He stared out into space for a moment realizing how beautiful everything was. As he scanned the solar system with his naked eye, he noted a planet relatively close to his home. If he remembered correctly people from that planet were the first people to visit the Shuka people. They had left records behind for the Shukaians to study. Most of that information had helped Nokev in designing his rocket.

After a moment passed, Nokev realized that it was time for him to continue on with his experiment. He activated a few more controls and the main engine fired again allowing Nokev to turn the vessel and begin his orbit of Shuka. After successfully completing one orbit, Nokev altered a few more controls to try and get closer to the planet's atmosphere. After doing so, he made another full orbit of the planet.

"Continue Log. I have sucessfully orbited my home planet two times, everything checks out to be okay. I plan on..." Nokev stopped recording the log entry when an alarm went off in the cockpit. He looked towards a computer console infront of him to see what was happening. The screen flashed brightly:

MAIN CABIN DECOMPRESSION IN TWENTY MINUTES...

Nokev checked and re-checked his controls not believing what he was seeing. This can't be... He thought to himself. Nokev looked down to the Shuka planet wondering if he would make it back in time before he would die. He had to try. Immediately almost without thinking, he set the rocket on a direct course for Shuka City and fired the engines. The rocket responded and started to head towards the planet, Nokev watched with anticipation hoping that everything would go all right. A few moments passed and he was back in Shuka's atmosphere heading downward. As he continued his descent, the ship shifted direction five degrees port and headed for a place outside the city limits, out in the mountains; a place forbidden by the Shuka Religous Council.

Nokev attempted to open a communications link to anyone on the plnaet. "To anyone within the sound of my voice, this is Nokev. I'm in distress needing assistance, my ship's going to crash in a few minutes in the Korta Mountain Range..." before he could finish his distress call the ground seemed to come closer and closer until the rocket crash landed in a heavily wooded area.

Inside the Religous Council Hall Kerta was listening to Nokev's distress call with the other council members. "What should we do?" One man asked her.

"We do nothing." Kerta replied with sadness in her voice. " That section is forbidden, and has been forbidden for a long time."

Quoth, another council member, stood from his chair. "Surely you can overlook the rules for this one instance." He paused fully knowing what he was asking. "If you won't look for him, I will."

Kerta looked towards Quoth. "No. If you do you will be an outcast. It is too dangerous out there in the mountains."

"How do you know that?" Quoth asked. "All of that hogwash about the evil that is out there is superstition! It isn't real."

Kerta looked back to Quoth with a stare that could melt ice. "It has been out rule for over five thousand years, you will not disobey the order. If you go after him, you will be dismissed from all your duties."

Quoth stood there speechless, he was thinking over in his mind what he would do about the situation. Something had to be done, Nokev was one of their own. Sure he didn't follow everything by the book on most occasions, but he was still a citizen of the Shuka planet and people. Something had to be done, and he had to do it. "All right " he said. "I won't go, but allow me to inform his ex-wife."

Kerta was shocked. "You know they aren't on good terms. But if it will make you feel better, do so."

Quoth exited the hall in a quick pace and headed towards Norev's housing complex. On the way there, he went over in his mind how he would tell her. Soon enough he was standing at Norev's doorstep. He knocked on the door and waited.

After a few moments the door opened. Norev stood there with a glass of water in her hand. "Yes Quoth, what can I do for you?" She asked.

Quoth looked into Norev's eyes. "There's been an accident..."

In the mountain range known as Korta, Nokev awoke five feet south of the Shuka One Rocket. He managed to eject from the craft shortly before crash landing in the woods. Nokev stood up and brushed some dirt off of his clothing, as he did so he looked around his new surroundings. The Council called this place evil, but to Nokev it looked as beautiful as anything he'd ever seen. Haunting stories of the mountain range came to his mind as he became more fully awake. There had been several "stories" of people being injured in Korta, he even saw one with burns on his body. Nokev still believed they were just that... stories. But, there was always the possibility that he could become a believer if something happened to him while he was traveling back home to the city.

Nokev walked over to Shuka One and recovered his recording devices. The good news was they were intact, on the bad side of things, they were a little damaged from the crash. That didn't bother Nokev at the moment, the important thing was he was alive. Nokev found the communication device that he used to send a distress signal and attempted to use it.

"Nokev to anyone within the sound of my voice." He said with hope that others would hear and know that he was still alive. "I repeat, this is Nokev to anyone out there, please respond." Nothing came back, not even static. Nokev dropped the device and tried to calculate his position. He had to get back to the city to report his findings to the Council and to let Norev know that he was okay. No, he thought, switch that. He would first tell Norev that he was all right, and then report to the Council. It was time to stop putting his work in front of the woman that he loved.

Nokev wasn't able to salvage the rest of Shuka One it was too torn up to do anything with. He continued his long journy towards town, and with that journey Nokev had a long time to think about his current situation and what he would say to the Council.

Chapter Four

TWO YEARS LATER

Another sleepless night in Norev's home. She was sitting in her living room staring at a picture of Nokev, her loved one. Norev still couldn't believe that her husband was missing, or worse that he could be dead. Various townspeople wanted her to forget him, they wanted her to move on with her life, but that wasn't possible; not until she would find out exactly what happened to Nokev. "Where are you my dear?" She said in a low tone to herself, "Come back to me, I need you here." She touched the picture with her fingers gently and set it back on an end table. As she sat there, Norev heard a noise at the door. It was a knock, a gentle knock. Visitors... at this hour? She thought to herself. Norev stood from a couch and tightened a purple robe around her body trying to look as modest as possible. As she walked to the door she combed her fingers through her hair tyring to fix it, but didn't have much success. Finally she reached the door and opened it. She saw the figure of a man standing on her doorstep, it was dark outside so she couldn't make out who it was.

"Hello Norev." The man said.

"That voice, I know that voice." She said outloud. "Nokev?" She reached out her hand and pulled the man inside, Norev gave her husband a hug and a long welcome back kiss. She was so happy to see him again. "It's been so long."

Nokev almost lost his balance as he was pulled inside the house. "Yes, it's me."

As Nokev entered his ex-wife's home she closed the door behind him. Norev stood there for a minute. It's really him. She thought to herself. Norev took her husbands hand and placed it in her own the same way as the day on which he left. "I waited like I said I would."

Nokev smiled. He was so happy to be among his own people again, especially Norev. The past two years had been very difficult for him. To his knowledge he was the first of his people to survive for a long period of time outside the city limits and live to tell about it. Of course I haven't spoken to the Religious Council yet. He thought. I wonder what they'll say.

Norev contineud to stare at the man she loved. Her nightmare had finally come to an end. Now she could rest. Two years had been a long time and now that they were over, and Nokev was back, she would try to treasure every day. She gave Nokev another long hug, it was indeed a marvelous time to be alive. Welcome home my husband. She thought. Welcome home.

The Relgious Council chambers were bustling with activity. Rumors of Nokev returning were going all around the city and several people wanted to see him. They wanted to talk to the man that flew through space. The towns people wanted to listen to the stories Nokev had to tell. They were deeply interested in what occurred over the past two years.

Kerta was seated in her chair with her arms folded. The other members of the council sat with confused expressions. They were usually the first to know when someone returned from the outside barriers of the city. This time it was different, the people knew the information first, and that bothered the council greatly. Kerta shook her head. The people must be mistaken. She thought. No one could survive out there for two years. She held up a hand causing the crowd to go quiet allowing her to speak. "This can't be possible." She said with confidence. "Your information is incorrect. Return to your homes." The crowd obeyed her instructions and dispersed leaving the council members alone.

"Now that that's overwith." Kerta said "What's on the schedule for today?"

Out from the shadows Nokev appeared. "I think I am." As he stepped forward Nokev watched the councils' facial expressions. They were shocked. The people of the city were correct, he had returned after a long two years. Nokev watched as the council members quickly wiped the shocked expressions from their faces. "Nothing to say huh?" Nokev asked more to himself than the council members.

Kerta stood from her chair. "Nokev? You have returned from the outside." She was scared half to death but didn't show it. She was trained to hide fear. Kerta had seen only a handful of people return from outside the city, they usually had burns covering 25 to 75 percent of their body. There were no marks on Nokev, he appeared to be in almost excellent physical health. Sure ther was a scratch here and a bruise there, but those were common to climbing and hiking long distances.

Kerta walked up to Nokev and visually examined him. She was completely puzzled by his appearance and condidtion. How is this possible? She thought to herself.

Nokev smiled and held up the recording devices he recovered from the crash. "I assume you'll want to take a look at these." He walked up to the desk and set them down gently. Nokev looked into Kerta's eyes. He could sense the fear and great confusion in her soul. "I'll be in touch." He exited the council chambers in a slow pace, knowing that questions would follow.

Outside the council chamber, Nokev pulled a hood over his head providing a partial cover for his face. He didn't want to talk to anyone, at least not for a while. He saw how the townspeople reacted in the hall, if anyone else knew he was alive he would never get any privacy. He continued on his way without any interruption. A few moments later Nokev was standing infront of an abandoned warhouse. He recognized it as his former workshop when he created the Shuka One Rocket.

As Nokev walked inside and took a look around he noticed that it was empty. All of his equipment was gone. There was nothing left from his work. Everything that he had worked for years on, his achievements was no more. Nokev gathered that the Religious Council dismanteled the equipment and probably had it destroyed. The council never had been fully cooperative of his theories and dreams; and now he wouldn't be able to continue. He left the workshop and walked back towards Norev's home. "How could they do this to me?" Nokev said outloud. "After two years they still don't understand!" He kicked a rock as hard as he could and watched as it tumbled down the road. In many ways, he felt just like the rock. He had been kicked aside. As of now, the future, his future looked dark.

Chapter Five

KNOCK KNOCK

"Where have you been?" Norev asked.

Nokev stepped inside the house. "I took a long walk." He explained quietly. Nokev removed the hood from his head and waited for a moment allowing his eyes to adjust. "I'ts all gone Norev. My work is gone."

His wife nodded her head. "Yes I know." She walked over to the couch and sat down. Nokev followed her lead and sat next to her. "Six months after you crashed, they dismantled everything. I tried to talk to them, make them stop, but the council didn't listen."

Why would the council listen. They usually never did. On most occasions the council only listened if it suited their interests and helped them out in some way. From the looks of things they hadn't changed much over the past two years. And why should they change? To the members of the council, their way of government had endured the ages. In their eyes there was no need for change. They didn't have a desire to make a transition form what worked to the unknown. To them, they were the supreme governing force and the people would be protected under their laws and binding rules. They were called the Religious Council but in actuality there was no religion in them. Those practices were abandoned long ago when times were simplier, so much simplier. But now those times were gone.

Norev smiled gently. She had wanted to ask him something for a long time but was afraid to. As she sat there, Norev pondered how to open a conversation on how life outside the city boundaries were. Like many of her kind she never ventured beyond the borders because of fear. She too had heard the horrible nightmarish talkes of the outside, but never gained the courage to go and explore.

Nokev looked to his wife, he could tell what she was thinking. Not because he was telepathic, but because he knew how she was. "The outside is peaceful, so peaceful." He said. "It'a a peace I haven't seen in a long time."

Norev looked to her husband. "How peaceful?"

"Just this side of paradise." He stood up from the couch and walked out the front door leaving Norev time to ponder his statement.

The End