Chapter 54

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The new congress was officially sworn in on January 5th 2023. As was american custom, there was a bi-partisan breakfast with all of Congress and the president the next day. The president tried to shake hands with each member of Congress. One of the new members, an SBA candidate, actually spit in president Odonnell's face. He was immediately arrested by Secret Service. James Ford, the new speaker of the House of Representatives, was also endorsed by the SBA. Ford was one of the more moderate members, he was willing to reach some kind of deal over alien refugees. The more extreme members applauded this freshman congressman, they weren't so concerned that as long as he was in jail he couldn't vote their way. Odonnell feared that the extremists would take over the SBA, and continue to gain influence. But he still agreed to meet with Carpathia. Their first meeting was at the White House on Monday January 8th. There were protestors outside the White House, they seemed to fear the consequences of the president meeting with the antichrist. All kinds of conspiracy theories were floating around, but the president's main concern was avoiding war, even if that meant negotiaing with someone he didn't like. Carpathia arrived at the White House on the morning of the 8th. Normally the thermostat in the White House was low in winter, the president wanted to set a moral example about not wasting energy. Only when diplomats were visiting did president Odonnell feel the need to make it warmer.

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Carpthia: Thank you hosting me mr president.

Odonnell: Ofcourse. I hope we can arrange more diplomatic visits between our two worlds.

Carpathia: I understand you've already visited my world. Did you enjoy it?

Odonnell: You understand, I wanted to see what it was really like, not just what you wanted me to see.

Carpathia: Ofcourse. Still, it was dangerous to go yourself.

Odonnell: A neccssary risk.

Carpathia: Do you know what fate usually befalls spies in times of war?

Odonnell: I'm aware.

Carpathia: Then it's fortunate that we are not at war. I'm sure your friend, father Lucci, told you that he'd tried to enter our world before, yet failed. Why do you supposse he could suddenly do that? But let us get back to business. As you know my world recently suffered a devestating war. We are still rebuilding. I understand you brought two of my people here with you.

Odonnell: I assure you they came willingly.

Carpathia: No doubt. They thought they could have a better life in your world. And one of my goals is that, anyone who chooses to immigrate, one way or another, will be free to do so.

Odonnell: Due respect, what could your world offer?

Carpathia: Freedom. We offer people the freedom to love whom they want, to do what they want with their own bodies. We allow drugs, alcohol, gambling. If women could still get pregnant, we would allow them to decide for themselves whether to carry this child to term.

Odonnell: Freedom. That's interesting, considering you have corrupt police who brutalize suspects.

Carpathia: We allow freedom to do what one wants, provided they don't hurt others. But serious crimes like murder, rape, theft, we have harsh penalties.

Odonnell: You don't think it's barbaric to have harsh penalties for theft, when so many have to steal just to survive?

Carpathia: As I said, we are still rebuilding. And yes, some of our police force are corrupt, we are still trying to fix that problem. It will take time, but things will get better. Those women you brought with you, they were not doing well in our society. I wouldn't neccesarily trust them to be completely objective.

Odonnell: Maybe, but I know what I saw with my own eyes.

Carpathia: You saw us during reconstruction. Our world is still very much divided, communities are killing each other. It will take time to bring everyone together.

Odonnell: Under Hitler's rule?

Carpathia: Hitler has his own mini-kingdom. I'd like to keep him out of power, but some sort of power sharing deal might be neccessary down the line.

Odonnell: Who exactly is in charge of the central government of your world?

Carpathia: With so many despots fighting for control of mini-kingdoms, we have little central government to speak of. My duty, as secretary of state, makes me the de facto head of state. I am the only one that so many people trust in these negotiations.

Odonnell: I see. You mention people killing each other, what happens if they, die in Hell?

Carpathia: They go to a, you might call it a prison. They are eventually released back into society. In the meantime, it is not pleasant, but actual punishment varies depending on the nature of their crimes.

Odonnell: So you torture them and release them back into society. That sounds logical.

Carpathia: I have never denied that there is room for improvement.

Odonnell: Fair enough. I don't expect that you and I will ever agree on certain things, what do you propose?

Carpathia: A state of peace between our worlds. And anyone who chooses to immigrate may do so. Ofcourse, if my people immigrate here, what guarantee do they have that your people will accept them?

Odonnell: That's our problem. Antarctica has assured me they will take in refugees from your world. And as unlikely as it seems that my people will immigrate to your world, I have no desire to stop them.

Carpathia: So we are in agreement?

Odonnell: Subject to approval from my Congress. And you realize that you'll likely have to negotiate with other world leaders regarding immigration.

Carpathia: I am aware. But, with the possible exception of North Korea, I don't think they are foolish eough to attack my world. And as for immigration, I can only hope they are as reasonable as you.