Notes from An Alien

7 ~ Words

The Worlds' Council, along with the Territorial, Regional, and Local Councils, was evolving. Trade and commerce had been common on the former religious World of Anla-Purum but the former corporate World of Anga-Param had only known the all-devouring authoritarian mentality that had developed high technology while turning its citizens into zombies.

The former settlers from Anga-Param, now living on Anla-Purum, had adapted quickly to the free-flowing market atmosphere, developing a nearly constant stream of new tech which made many of them wealthy. The ones who returned to Anga-Param became just as wealthy, though the citizens who had stayed on their home World were prone to being ruthlessly cheated in transactions.

The former religious World was becoming technological and the former corporate World was becoming familiar with bribery.

A third situation, the intermarriage of the citizens of both Worlds, was creating a totally new type of Angian...

~~~

The Worlds' Council, working closely with all its subsidiary Councils, took five years to settle on permanent Territorial boundaries. Many people were unhappy, many were outraged but, the lure of new inter-World activities and its promise of new arenas of employment, influence, or power helped them remain silent or encouraged them to scheme.

Religion had certainly not disappeared. There were still believers in the Lord's Army, the Faith of Eternity, and the Disciples of Faith, though in far fewer numbers than the followers of Akla. The biggest difference in the role of religion, on both Worlds, was that all Territories began to have residents from all the Faiths, though Aklana was still predominantly Aklan and the Aklans were still extremely prone to travel and offer whatever aid to others they could. They only died in their travels, now, from freak accidents.

~~~

Delva and Verluin were visiting the village of Ut in the Vesol Region of the Aklana Territory. Since their marriage, she had co-opted his presence with her—the Worlds' Council could find another prime physician.

They were sitting in a cottage with Nii and Rzo, two local Aklans. Nii was calming her children and assigning them their evening tasks while Rzo finished bringing the evening meal to the table.

Morna said: "I find the lives people are now living seem to be either intensely peace-filled or avidly tasking."

Rzo set a plate in front of Delva and said: "Morna, you knew Rednaxela better than anyone and you spent time in Akla's Presence. Tell me how you view the role of religion in our rapidly changing Worlds' culture."

"My view of religion is that it is a two-edged sword—either it carves a space for sharing and love or it cleaves the heart from the mind. There are many who love to cleave but the carvers are still with us. I think the principles of religion should be taught widely but only if the fanatic edge of faith is restrained."

Delva chuckled and said: "So poetic, Morna."

"I am learning, no?"

Nii came and sat at the table: "Morna, I heard what you said and it's got my curiosity up about you. I find you to be not just poetic but deeply, well... Metaphysical. Do you essentially repeat things you've learned or do you have a creative component to your mind?"

"The jury is still out on that one, Nii."

The shared laughter turned itself into the ritual of social dining. After a moment of various appreciative sounds, Delva spoke up:

"Morna is extremely creative when she manipulates the vast amount of information she's gained over the years. She's a poetic journalist of sorts. I wish, when I have eighty things to decide immediately, that she could be a novelist and create the perfect plot for me to follow."