Nearly two thousand years ago on a South Pacific island, the new mayor desired an amicable relationship with the bush natives. Through a three-dimensional board game called Retsel, he and the natives eventually learned to resolve their differences. At the turn of the present century, scientists at Sci Tech University discover an ancient civilization buried at the foothills of the Kitabian Mountains. Sci Tech's monumental discovery does not help the already strained relations between their university and Libertarian University. As a result, the competing chancellors of both universities decide to settle their dispute with a Retsel match, as they had done on many past occasions. As Chaych, the master strategist favored to win suddenly experiences a catastrophic event, the Kitabian government collapses and Maklober, the star detective of Wellen, embarks on a mission to discover the cause of both conditions. Maklober suspects that an elusive criminal is behind the collapse and is joined by Dr. Gehirn in his journey through the Kitab. Together, they navigate the rough terrain, keeping one step ahead of the Mahlpatrol. But the Tieren society poses a threat and major obstacles for the two men who have no idea what they are about to encounter.

Auszug. � Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

The Kitabian Dimension

By Sandeep K. Aggarwal

iUniverse, Inc.

Copyright � 2009 Sandeep K. Aggarwal
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4401-7443-8

Chapter One

The great hall was crowded, the air filled with cigarette smoke and sweat. Winter in Wellen was usually blistering hot. The month was January and lived up to its reputation. The last time it rained was two weeks ago. The beaches were full of people trying to cool off. One man took his chair into the lake and sat there till sunset.

The faint rumble of voices in the background punctuated an eerie silence that added to the tension. The fate of two academic institutions depended upon the performance of the master strategist, known as Chaych. He was on staff at the Libertarian University. A brilliant Retsel player, rather reserved, he had a thin build. He wore rectangular shaped, black, tortoise shelled glasses and a weathered blue blazer with gray slacks. His long, shoulder length, jet black hair was always in disarray. As a toddler, he had the uncanny ability to anticipate ahead of time two or three of his opponents' moves and then in three dimensions. His challenger today, Dr. N. B. Korbin, was a formidable adversary who was a legend in his youth. Now approaching seventy, he was of stocky build with ruddy cheeks and had a sanguine personality to match. He could, however, beat anyone half his age with a degree of finesse hardly seen by his contemporaries.

Offstage, prior to the start of the match, the two were seated in a bare room. Korbin was deep in thought, almost unaware that Chaych was seated across from him. He was staring at the yellow walls, stained from many years of cigarette smoke. There were no wall hangings. Sweat beaded on his forehead, glistening in the pale light. The chair beneath him creaked. Just as a stream was about to roll down Korbin's well-lined face, Chaych stood up slowly, placed his hand on the old, dusty card table and asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am just meditating, as I customarily do prior to any match," said Korbin.

Chaych sat back down and suddenly blurted, "You know, we're only pawns ourselves today." He had a habit of saying whatever came to his mind without first censoring his thoughts. Noticing Korbin's puzzled look, Chaych was exasperated. He went on to explain. "The result of today's match will determine which academic center gains control over the other. This would in effect lead to a merger, creating a unified institution. For some, this would mean the end of free expression and critical thinking as in most monopolies." Chaych stood up and raised his clenched fist into the air and said, "I can hear it now; down with the rhetoric and let dogma prevail!"

The veins in Chaych's scalp began to pound, with one curiously coursing through his temple as he started to bang loudly on the card table. Saliva pooled at the corners of his mouth. Korbin was sitting erect in his chair, amazed at the sight in front of his eyes. He began to frown and protruded his lips. He worried that Chaych would inflict harm. Korbin stood up and walked toward the door, then quickly turned around and said in a quiet voice, "Calm down."

After awhile, Chaych regained his composure. One of the security guards posted outside of their room came in to check on them. "Everything okay in here?" he asked. "I thought someone was dying."

"We're all right," said the pair in unison.

"We were just having a healthy debate," said Korbin.

When the guard left, Korbin resumed his meditation, and Chaych thought about the future. Suddenly, Chaych got up again, but this time walked toward the door. He felt it was his duty to explain his philosophy over the university battle. He listened for activity outside. When he was convinced all was quiet, he said, "Personally, I don't care and am not interested in these political maneuvers. The administration usually doesn't change much, unless the government slashes budgets and grants."

Korbin thought about this for a few minutes and was half surprised but also did not appear to be concerned. He was somewhat startled by the outburst, but this time Chaych didn't strike out physically, so he felt somewhat more at ease. After a few minutes, he looked up, saw that Chaych was quietly sitting in his chair, and said, "I also don't take much stock in these political games, but I do have more interest from an academic standpoint as I prefer the philosophy of my institution more. Yours is more liberal and requires more emphasis on alternative or eclectic thought that for an old man like me is rather extreme." By now, Korbin was speaking a bit louder, with sweat running down his forehead. Chaych had never seen him so passionate. Korbin continued, "Granted, I'm old, but I still function, and I work as much as someone younger." He stood up and walked around the room, then looked down at Chaych with his experienced, professorial eyes and said, "I'm still active at my university, teaching and writing strategy. Whatever the outcome, our match will be quite instructive today." Chaych looked up at Korbin sheepishly while he stood silently for a few seconds. Finally, Korbin sat down, smiled, and said collegially, "I look forward to playing against someone so young and prodigal as you."

"For me, this will be a crowning achievement in my career also, to play someone as accomplished as you, a true master. It is rather odd that we have never played," said Chaych, leaning forward with his elbows resting on the table.

"I agree," said Korbin, raising his eyebrows and placing his fingers on his chin and lower lip. He went to say, "This is part of the problem. We have all become so insular in our own universities that sharing information is taboo. For many years there was a healthy rivalry. When research projects funded by one university would have truly benefited society, this was shared with the other and promoted as a joint venture. Over time, however, secrecy and insecurity prevailed. Some of my colleagues were deluded into thinking that if the details of a project were known, the university would lose funding and its reputation. As such, ideas were no longer shared and collaboration came to a halt."

Chaych stood up and started pacing the floor. "This egregious behavior means that one of the universities has to close or simply merge with the other to avoid further conflict."

Korbin replied with a disgusted look on his face, "I know. In fact, livelihoods are now at stake, as downsizing will surely occur. This is especially alarming for the junior faculty. I overheard a young man in the economics lab lamenting that the lab would close. There are similar worries throughout the system. All we can do at this point is wait. Senior faculty are making sure that their projects are up and running and sound to prevent shutdown. It is sad that we had to meet up this way, so late in our careers. Anyway, what is done is done. I have read your books on strategy and now can't wait to see them implemented."

The bell sounded, signaling the two players to enter the great hall. They walked with their hands gracefully at their sides and heads bowed in reverence to the moment. The Retsel table was on a stage under bright lights. They were escorted by security guards. No one spoke. The hall was quiet with an overbearing sense of anticipation. The players arrived with conspicuous humility and took their seats. There was a large-screen TV behind them, displaying the Retsel board for those in the back and outside. Those who belonged to Chaych's university sat on his side of the hall and Korbin's supporters on the other side. The front rows were reserved...

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