Luk looked at Jal. “Why would you ask me that? How do you think I normally get stuff home when I’ve been hiking?”

“Okay, it was dumb.” Jal sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m grasping at straws. I was hoping that you’d change your mind.”

“What is it that you think I would contribute to this crazy idea? Climbing the mountains and coming back is one thing. It’s an adrenaline rush every time. But going past them?” He shook his head, “What do you think you’re going to find that’s so important?”

Jal took an electronic tablet out of its backpack. “It’s what I’ve found that’s important. There are people living on the far side of the continent.”

“No way!”

“Yes, way! Repeated satellite scans show that there are villages, towns and cities. The population becomes denser as the satellites move west.”

“Satellite scans? Are you a scientist, Jal?”

“I’m a student, in my last year of primary school. One of the requirements for finishing on the university preparation track that I’ve been on, was to complete a project. I chose to focus on the biosystems of Shifos, and wrote about two ecosystems. I’ve been working with a scientist named Dr. Yaaba Gyasi.”

Jal took a sip of tea and told Luk about the hundreds of hours it had spent monitoring the satellite picture feeds, sending probes, and analyzing results. “I achieved a high mark on the paper. I was able to meet with the Luminary at the Protectorate Enclave on Iragos. To sum things up, the Protectorate Luminaries have agreed to support an expedition through the interior of the continent, going northwest to the far coast.”

“The Luminary?” Luk looked doubtful. “Those people are just a bunch of bureaucrats. They have no idea what they’re doing. All they do is tax people and lock up people who won’t live the lifestyle they mandate. That’s why I’m here.”

“Oh?”

“Their network doesn’t reach this far. I don’t bother them, and they don’t bother me.”

“Do you have a communication system?”

“Of course! Everyone does.”

“Was it here when you came?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know, why?”

“The communication system was created and implemented by the Protectorate to ensure that people get emergency care when they need it. It’s also to provide access to the information that they have available to all the residents on the planet.”

“Bokanshit!”

“Luk, where were you treated for your concussion and shoulder injury?”

“At the hospital in Pejaru.”

“How did you get there?”

Luk looked confused. “I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about it.”

“We were evacuated there by the Protectorate emergency response system. Who did your surgery?”

“A doctor by the name of Mekatus.”

Jal walked over to the communication system that hung on the wall. “May I use this a moment?” After Luk gave his permission, Jal said, “Search for Dr. Mekatus at the hospital in Pejaru.” The doctor’s picture and bio popped up. “According to this, Dr. Mekatus was trained at the university in Kop, then went off-world to medical school there. Look here. He was accepted onto the Protectorate Medical System three years ago.” Jal studied Luk’s face to see if he understood what Jal was trying to say. “How much was the cost of your medical treatment?”

“I - I haven’t received a bill yet.”

“You won’t.” Luk opened his mouth to object. “The medical care for citizens of Zuphreon is provided by the Protectorate.”

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“We pay for it through the taxes we pay, of course.”

“How much are your taxes, would you say?”

“About two-hundred mu-tok a year.”

“Hm. You receive guaranteed medical care and access to the information network. The Protectorate funds medical training and care, scientific research that everyone has access to, a communication system, defense against interworld forces, and a host of other services. The Protectorate is not just a bunch of bureaucrats. They are here, protecting all of us. There are people on the west side of the planet that are entitled to these services too. That’s why I’m taking this expedition through Shifos.”

“I had no idea there were people there. We weren’t taught about them in school.”

“You’re right, we weren’t. Something happened with the communication system of the Protectorate.” As Luk filled Jal’s cup with more tea, Jal said, “I’d like to hear why you live here. You made a comment about people being expected to live the lifestyle that the Protectorate mandates.”

“I’d rather not say.”

“You did something, and you think you’re hiding,” Jal guessed.

“You did a search on me.”

“I haven’t had time for such things. Tell me what it is,” Jal demanded. “I’ve been up front with you about why I’m here.”

“My parents wanted me to live on the family farm and continue to raise grain and sell it. I’ve been interested in the rocks, dirt, and natural resources of Zuphreon since I was a tot. I told my parents during my eighth year that I wasn’t interested in staying on Iragos. We got into a shouting match, and it turned into a physical fight. When the security force turned up, they interrogated me, put me in lock-up, and held a trial. It was almost a year later that I was released. I was returned to where I had been arrested. I had nothing but an empty wallet and the clothes on my back.”

Jal leaned forward. “What was it like in lock-up? Is it as rough as people say it is?”

“Adolescents are required to finish school. They’re forced to learn a trade, do physical training, and have regular counselling. But I had no contact with my family and went back to a situation that hadn’t changed.”

“You were forced to learn a trade. Surely you were given choices?”

“I was. I learned to make jewelry. My parents wanted me to farm. When they threatened to call the security force again, I left.”

“How long has it been since you’ve seen them?”

“Two years.”

“How many times have you lost your temper since you left there?”

“Seven or eight. But I’ve never been put in lock-up for it. I’ve learned to control how much alcohol I drink. And I’ve learned to walk away from people who want to make something little into a fight.”

“During those seven or eight times, how many times have you tried to injure someone?”

Luk looked down, “All of them.”

Jal stood up. “I won’t take up any more of your time, Luk. Thanks for the tea and conversation, and your honesty.”

“I suppose you’re taking your business to Sali.”

“I need someone who can train a large group of people. She and her partner have the capacity to do that.”

“If you change your mind, I’m willing to give private lessons.”

“Would you consider a trade for lessons?”

“Maybe.” Jal dug around in its backpack. It handed Luk two small pieces of obsidian. Luk studied the rocks. “Where did you get these?”

“I’d rather not say.”

“Why are you carrying them?”

“I was going to sell them at the magician’s shop in Pejaru.”

“Magician’s shop? In Pejaru? I don’t know of such a place.”

“It’s near the hospital. Two streets north and a street west.”

“Why would a magician buy this?”

“It gives a user extra strength.”

“And it’s worth how much there?”

“Maybe a hundred mu-tok.”

“I don’t believe there is such a thing as magic. I would give you twenty-five for these two.”

“Thanks,” Jal held out its hand to take them back, “I’ll pass on your offer.”

“You don’t like me.”

“I think you’re confused, Luk. I do like you. That’s why I came back and spent so long here. I can get a better price for the obsidian in Pejaru.”

“You don’t want me on your team anymore,” he said accusingly.

“I don’t need someone on the team who can’t control his temper. I’m not about to risk any of my people being hurt if you happened to get your hands on some alcohol.”

“Are you taking alcohol along as part of the supplies?”

“No. But if we happen to encounter someone who offers it -”

“I’d turn it down.”

“You say that now, but in the moment it was offered, would you be able to?” Jal looked at him uncertainly. “I’ll think about it, Luk. I just don’t know.” As Jal turned to leave, it said, “If you ever get back to Iragos, stop by Ridali Tower.”

“Ridali Tower. Not likely.”

“Why would you say that?”

“My parents and I will just fight. They don’t want to see me.”

“Did they say that?”

“No, but...” his voice trailed off. “I would want to go see them, then come back here. I miss them. I miss my little sister. She’s growing up without me. But my life is here now. I don’t want to deal with arguments and being threatened with physical punishment. I’d have to travel to Pejaru, transport to Dagmon, then travel up towards Pencadick Rill.” Jal could see that he was becoming anxious as he tapped the chair he leaned against. “I don’t suppose you’d consider helping me out.”

“With what?”

“Would you visit my parents with me?”

Jal smiled. “I get it. You think that if a big person like me is along with you, your parents won’t start a fight?”

“Well, yes. You are mighty tall,” he smiled.

“I suppose I could do that,” Jal spoke slowly. “When?”

“I’ll contact them, then get in touch with you.”

Luk closed the door behind Jal, then went to the window. As he stood thinking about the conversation, he watched Jal wave its wand, then disappear.

“What the ever-loving hogwash was that? Magic? There’s no such thing as magic!”