Unknown

Uli pinched himself just to make sure and half-expected to wake up, but nothing happened.

Trying desperately to rationalize his feelings and organize his thoughts, Uli realized just what this new discovery signified. He, Ulysses would know the fate of man. He now had the power which no other human had ever known: To know for sure, and in all certainty, what destiny shaped the brow of mankind.! All he had to do was to turn back to the bundle of newspapers, and he would have, at his disposal , all the news of the next 100 years. Or rather, the last 100 years…

His train of thoughts was interrupted in midstream by a faint sound behind him. Uli stiffened and listened, all ears. The faint noise became clearer and, with a start, Uli recognized the unmistakable sound of human feet on concrete. Slowly, Uli turned round. He was, about to meet a human, 100 years in the future. He imagined a hooded man, the kind he had read in Science Fiction stories, dressed in some weird space suit and equipped with some unimaginable hi-tech gizmos. Instead, his eyes set on a lean, bearded man, of medium height. He was dressed,rather unfashionably, Uli thought, in a plain blue blazer and wrinkled old jeans. Not exactly the type one would expect to come across after anticipating .with eager wonder, some kind of futuristic superman. Why ,the man could as soon have passed unnoticed in the 20th century.

And yet, one just could not fit him in any other scenario but the present one. In the dusty desolation of the station, he seemed as much in place as a fish in water. But nevertheless, Uli felt as if he had seen this very same man, in a different role, maybe, somewhere before.

As the man approached. Uli collected his thoughts and wondered whether the man would understand English. After all ,several scholars and scientists had predicted that the English language would be discarded ,in the future, in favour of a more efficient, compact ,organized and mathematical language. What if he ,Uli could not communicate with these humans of the future, whoever they might be…

"Hello" said the man ,skipping lightly over the debris of newspapers created by Uli, and joining Uli on his side of the platform." I see you have been searching for something. May I be of any assistance, Ulysses?"

Uli’s heart skipped a beat. He actually knew his name ! No, he reasoned, it could not possibly be possible. He had, in all probability, imagined the thing due to his high-strung nerves…

"Hello, em ,I’ m Ulysses .Who are you ?" asked Uli, tentatively.

The answer he received would have surprised the strongest of men, and sent Uli reeling.

"I", said the bearded stranger, "am G.O.D."

Uli was struck speechless ,but managed to ask, incredulous, "Er….GOD…?"

The man laughed lightly and his merry laughter rung like trinkets in the empty station. He said ,presently. "You take my words literally, young one. Are you really so ignorant that you know not what G.O.D is ? Why, I’m the Guardian Of the Domain, appointed by the People, before the Great Exodus."

"What Exodus? Where did the people go ? ".asked Uli., not understanding, his thoughts a whirlpool of confusion.

The Guardian looked at Uli quickly and said," Either you really are as stupid as you appear to be or you make fun of me. You know, it is a serious offence to offend the Guardian…"

Uli said nothing .What could he say ? He was afraid of this Guardian .or whoever he was and his strange indescribable power over Uli.