I found many who claimed to be Gorean, who claimed to live as if they were true Goreans, yet the reality never coincided with their boastful claims. It was certainly easy to present one's self online as Gorean even though one's life offline hid the truth. And when I met some of these people offline, I realized they had not truly represented themselves.

Of course I had to question myself as well. Was I Gorean? Or was I deluding myself? Was I as much of a poseur as the rest of them? I spent much time in self-analysis, examining my own life to assess my true nature. I asked myself the difficult questions, and I tried to remain as objective as possible.

I had to admit that I found myself lacking in some areas, though not from lack of trying. It was not an easy task to overcome a lifetime of negativistic societal conditioning. It was not an easy task to overcome many years of the media barrage that attempted to emasculate men. It was not an easy task to reclaim one's proper place in nature when such was antithetical to societal norms.

Yet I did strive to shatter the bars that imprisoned me, that tried to belittle my existence. I was making progress. I was becoming more like a man. It was certainly not easy but I persevered, refusing to surrender to meek acceptance. I strove for lofty objectives, despite the numerous obstacles in my path.

So, I felt there were significant differences between the poseurs and me. They mouthed the proper words and phrases. They tried to emulate the correct protocols. But they did not truly strive for the ideals. They chose to emulate the surfaces matters only, refusing to accept the challenges involved in truly being Gorean. I, on the other hand, worked very hard at surmounting the hurdles in my path.

I knew that I was handicapped by being unable to associate with other Goreans, to feel that connection between similar individuals. Within the insipid confines of online Gor, I was surrounded by mediocrity. And that served to drag me down, to frustrate my desires to raise above it all. I needed the company of peers to reach my potential, and I was not sure where to find them.

I had one lead though. But it was not a lead I considered very credible or reliable. It was not a lead that I truly believed would ever benefit me. Yet, in my desperation, in my fervent search, I clung to even the remotest of hopes. I stood to lose nothing by following up on this lead, even if it turned out to be absolutely nothing.

The Tenth Planet. Like many others, I had heard the rumors, the low whispers, the secret gossip. There was probably not a single online Gorean community where tendrils of information about the Tenth Planet were not disseminated. These stories had been around for over seven years. It had garnered the status of an urban legend, as such matters on the Internet often did.

As such, most did not believe in the existence of the Tenth Planet. But then, there were those who fervently swore that it existed, that it was a reality. A few claimed to have been there, or to have known someone who visited it. Yet they lacked proof, nothing to substantiate their wild claims.

I was one of the skeptics. I did not believe that the Tenth Planet existed. It would be wonderful if it did, but it was only a fantasy. I would not cling to some urban legend, desperately seeking for that which did not exist. I would keep my feet solid on the ground, set within reality.

Until a man I greatly respected made a slip. He was one of the most knowledgeable men online about Gor. He had compiled a comprehensive website about the Gorean novels, a definitive analysis of the world of Gor. He was known all across the online Gorean community as Sebastian. And I had several chances to speak to him, to discuss Gorean issues with him.

Sebastian was passionate about all things Gor, and would ramble on about almost any Gorean topic. But, when I raised the issue of the Tenth Planet, he abruptly denied its existence and tried to change the subject. So, I let the discussion meander away for a time and then later brought up the subject again. And there was a complete repeat. A quick denial and a change of subject.

Maybe he was just tired of speaking on the subject, maybe it irritated him that people believed in such an urban legend. Or maybe there was something else involved. Could he know more about the Tenth Planet? Could he be trying to conceal its actual existence? Or was I just chasing ghosts?

The Tenth Planet. Yes, it referred to Gor but not the planet. It actually referred to an online chat room, a secret and hidden area. A place where true Goreans met, or at least where the agents of true Goreans met. True Goreans being actual individuals from the planet of Gor.

The Gor novels mentioned that there were enclaves on Earth, where agents of the Priest-Kings worked. Most of those agents were people of Earth as few Goreans desired to visit Earth. They disliked its smog, its heavier gravity, all of its technology. And who could blame them?

If these agents existed on Earth, then it was very likely that they would avail themselves of modern technology, to make their work easier. And computers and the Internet would be excellent tools for their use. A great way for distant enclaves to maintain contact with each other. They could easily set up private and secure chat rooms for themselves.

Rumors abounded about just such a chat room, called the Tenth Planet. But no one could ever prove its existence. The stories and rumors were usually at least third hand. And the sources were often people less than trustworthy, some of the worst poseurs and deceivers online. But Sebastian's apparent evasion triggered my suspicions.

It made much sense. If such an enclave sought other people who reflected Gorean ideals, others who truly understood Gorean philosophy, then they would seek men like Sebastian. Out of anyone I knew, he might know the truth about the Tenth Planet. And it seemed probable that someone like him would have tried to verify the rumors and stories. The legend of the Tenth Planet would have drawn him inevitably into its embrace.

But how could I get him to confide in me, to tell me what he knew of the Tenth Planet? We were not friends or confidantes. We were mere acquaintances. And Sebastian certainly would not reveal such a secret to someone he did not know very well. So, I needed to become his friend, to get closer to him. And even if he knew nothing of the Tenth Planet, I would still benefit from being his friend.

Eleven months passed. During that time, I became friends with Sebastian. We spoke often, and I opened myself up to him, revealing all. He became my mentor, my advisor. We often spoke of Gor, intense discussions of philosophy and science, nature and psychology, culture and society. He was a fascinating man, of rare intellect and character.

I never raised the issue of the Tenth Planet again. Though it remained at the back of my mind. If it truly existed, I hoped to eventually learn of it. And if not, I knew that my friendship with Sebastian had made me a better person. I advanced as a man, as a Gorean, until his tutelage.

During all this time, I saw clues, sometimes subtle, to hidden issues, to matters that Sebastian knew but would not reveal. There were times he was positive about Gorean questions, questions that the books left unanswered. There were times he spoke of Gorean matters that did not exist in the books, though he spoke with confidence and surety of their existence. Tiny slips, matters that most would overlook. Except those were the type of things I eagerly sought.

These matters convinced me that Sebastian knew far more than he said. And that it was likely Gor did exist, and that Sebastian was aware of it. Sebastian seemed to have a pipeline of information about Gor, about its reality. And maybe that was the Tenth Planet. But I remained patient. I did not dare raise the topic. I would wait for him to say something about it.

The day then arrived when Sebastian stated he was departing from online. He stated that he would be relocating, and that with his new profession, he would be unable to spend any time online. He would not even be available by email. He tried to explain that his new profession involved some important security matters so that was primarily the reason for his complete break from online activities.

He seemed quite excited about his relocation and new career. Ecstatic, as if he were fulfilling a life's dream. I suspected the truth but did not push. If it were to come, he would need to raise the issue. I was obviously crestfallen that he would be gone, especially if he never confided in me the truth. But it gave me hope still, hope that Gor was a reality.

Two weeks later, Sebastian was gone. He sent me one final email, thanking me for our friendship and wishing me well. He did not provide any other clues as to what he was doing, where he was going, what he knew. So, a bit dejected, I accepted the fact that he would not tell me if Gor truly existed. But, he had given me a ray of hope, a ray I clung to, maybe too desperately.

Other people asked me if I knew where Sebastian had gone. They knew we had been close but I could not answer their questions. And I did not enlighten them as to my own theory. But, it was not only people online who questioned me. Some people came to my home, and not those I was pleased to see. Federal authorities. FBI.

I was shocked at the presence of such agents at my door. They wanted information on Sebastian and his disappearance, everything I knew about him. They interrogated me for hours, delving into every recollection I had of Sebastian. It was obvious that they were most interested in Sebastian, in locating him. But not because they were concerned for his welfare.

For a number of other people had vanished from online. From the online Gorean community. But only women. Women who had all vanished mysteriously lately. Around the same time as Sebastian. Not a single other man had vanished during that time period.

It was not long before this all hit the media, television, newspapers, magazines and radio. Some of the media tried to paint Sebastian as some serial killer, or at least a serial kidnapper. All told, Sebastian was being sought for potential involvement in seven different missing persons. There was sufficient evidence that most of these women had been forcefully abducted. Yet they seemed to have little evidence to tie it to Sebastian.

He was demonized by much of the press. Long time online detractors spoke up against him. Fortunately, he had many supporters as well who rallied to his side. The connection to Gor was exploited, sensationalized, denigrated and ridiculed. Reporters clamored online for sensationalistic sound bites. The entire community's reputation suffered.

If Sebastian had truly traveled to Gor, then the investigation would be futile. Maybe the seven women had willingly accompanied him. Maybe they had been forcefully taken, with or without Sebastian's knowledge. As the trails grew cold, as the evidence petered out, it seemed that the matter would remain unsolved. And over time, the media frenzy died out, until the matter was relegated to the back pages. And life began to return to normal.

Fourteen months passed and Sebastian was all but forgotten by the media, though the Internet mill still passed on rumors, alleged Sebastian sightings. Yet I did not hear a single word from him. I had fervently hoped to hear some word from him. And as time passed, I felt the likelihood of this happening was vanishing.

I was almost ready to depart from online Gor. It only depressed me, with its poseurs and deceivers. The apathy and laziness. The lack of comprehension, the lack of ethics, the lack of honor. There was little that kept me online, except for a few friends. And I felt helpless to prevent the continued deterioration of online Gor.

There was an exit from the malaise that infected me, the abject depression. But only Sebastian could lead me through that portal. Why didn't he tell me more before he left? Why didn't he try to contact me afterwards?

Then my telephone rang one day and everything changed, an alteration to my very existence. I knew the voice on the line, although it had changed some. It seemed deeper, more imperative, more authoritative. But I knew it nonetheless. It was Sebastian.

He spoke few words, simply providing me a location and a time, telling me to meet him. Providing no explanation though none was needed. There was no way I would refuse him, no way I would not meet him wherever and whenever he asked. He was the key to so many unanswered questions. The key to my future.

We met, around lunchtime, on a busy city street. A commercial zone with many small stores and fast food restaurants. As I waited near the bookstore, a homeless man came up to me, his stench almost unbearable. I tried to avoid making eye contact, hoping he would walk away. But he did not, speaking to me, though he did not ask for money.

He told me to enter the bookstore, to go to the cooking section, to meet Sebastian. And then the homeless man shuffled off, leaving a foul odor behind. I quickly walked away and toward the bookstore, entering through the revolving door. I was familiar with this store and knew that the cooking section was on the second floor so I went to the escalators.

On the second level, I walked past several aisles toward the cooking section and did not see Sebastian around. As I turned to scan the surrounding area, I then saw him approach me from another aisle. He was being careful, checking to see if I had been followed. He could easily have watched anyone else going up the escalator, or even following me into the store.

Sebastian was a different man. He looked healthier, slimmer, more muscular. He walked with more confidence, almost with a feline grace. Or the walk of a predator. His eyes seemed to watch everything at once. Wherever he had been, it had agreed with him. But I also sensed a certain discomfort within him.

He said nothing at first, simply directing me out of the aisle and toward the elevators. We then took one of the cars down to the first floor, exited and walked a short distance before going through one of the emergency exit doors. Despite the shrill alarms, Sebastian kept pulling me along, quickly hailing a taxi.

We rode in silence after Sebastian told the driver to take us to a neighboring town, to a local restaurant. Sebastian kept looking behind us to ensure that our escape had been successful. I watched him, trying to discern all of the differences since the last time we had met.

I did not feel threatened by his presence, despite the aspects that reminded me of a predator. He did exude a raw masculinity, but that did not seem a threat. Though I was not sure how a woman might view it. He seemed more alive, more cognizant of his environment, seeing everything. I envied him. He did not walk through life ignoring his surroundings. And it did not seem he was pleased with much he saw.

We finally made it to the restaurant, a four star steakhouse, where he had already made reservations under a different name. As I perused the menu, he ordered a bottle of a fine cabernet sauvignon, from an elite California winery. I knew that such a bottle had to cost a few hundred dollars at least.

We then ordered our meals, both of us having steaks. Sebastian ordered one of the largest steaks they stocked, a 36 ounce porterhouse, rare. As the waiter left our table, and we sat back in the fine cushioned chairs, Sebastian began to talk. He spoke in low tones so that no one else could overhear him.

His initial words sent chills through me and I felt that instinct to flee, to run from the threat before me. But, my rational mind quelled that instinctive reaction. I had to hear him out, to learn everything about what had happened. I almost felt like this was partially a test, to see how I could handle what he said.

His words were spoken in a neutral tone, little emotion. "I am responsible for the abduction of nine women. All of them are now dead, killed. And my previous employers are seeking me, wanting to slay me. I know as well that the authorities here are seeking me. I was deceived and more killings are likely to occur."

He admitted to two more abductions than had been originally suspected. In some ways that was reassuring, as it seemed he wanted to be honest. But he certainly wanted to shock as well. Instead of responding, I waited, wanting him to continue. I would not flee, I would not interrupt. And I would not judge. One never knows how one will react until put into a specific situation.

Sebastian waited a couple minutes, and then smiled before continuing. "You may not believe what I am about to tell you. It is somewhat incredulous. But it is all true. I have seen it with my own two eyes. I have felt the differences, experienced the reality. And it was amazing. Words cannot properly convey the wonder of it all.

"The planet Gor does exist, located on the other side of the Sun. I can only assume that there are actual Priest-Kings that have hidden the planet from the sensors of Earth. Some force had to be responsible for preventing the technology of Earth from identifying the existence of such a planet. The Priest-Kings may not resemble insects, but they certainly possess highly advanced technology.

"During my own investigation of the Tenth Planet, trying to ascertain whether that secret chat room existed or not, I was contacted by agents of Gor. They never confirmed or denied the existence of the Tenth Planet, but they made an incredible offer. A journey to the Counter-Earth. To live there permanently. It was an opportunity I could not refuse. It was the fulfillment of a life's desire.

"But there was a price attached. There is always a price attached to the attainment of one's dreams. In exchange for transport to Gor, I had to assist in the abduction of nine women, women who would become true Gorean slaves. I knew most of the women from online, some friends. But, it was a price I willingly chose to pay. And it is a decision that will follow me throughout my life."

Sebastian bowed his head at this point, almost before I saw tears welling in his eyes. He composed himself for a few moments before continuing.

"The agents kept their bargain. They transported me to Gor, teaching me the language, the customs, the traditions. Norman got much of it right, though there were some differences too. But they prepared me well. They were glorious days, exploring the myriad wonders of Gor.

"Breathing such fresh air, inhaling strange, new scents, tasting exotic foods. The rejuvenation of their lesser gravity. Feeling so alive, so in touch with the natural world. Seeing the various Gorean cities, animals, and plants that I once only read about. I am sure my wonder blinded me for some time, preventing me from discerning the tiny clues as to my actual fate.

"But, due to my overwhelming curiosity, I eventually stumbled upon the truth. I inadvertently overheard a conversation that chilled me to the bone. Much of what I believed was false. I was being used, deceived. I realized that I was but a pawn in a greater conflict.

"I had been brought to Gor by agents of the Kurii, enemies of Gor. I did not know their plans for me, but I was sure they did not bode well for me. The girls that I had assisted in abducting had become slaves of the Kurii. They might serve as meat for those voracious predators or be prizes for their trusted agents. And I would eventually learn that all of those nine women are currently dead.

"First, when I learned the truth, shock seized hold of me but it soon gave way to panic and fear. With great effort, I quelled those feelings, letting my rational side take control. Obviously I had to find a way to escape. But I needed to be patient. I was trusted for the moment, the allegedly clueless pawn. I simply had to wait for the opportunity to flee, to make contact with those who could help. I got my chance on one of our visits to the city of Ar.

"I realized that the first time we visited that marvelous city, they would keep a tight eye on me. It might even be a test, to see how I would react, to see if I could be trusted. So I did nothing to arouse even the least bit of suspicion. Which I did on the subsequent two trips as well. I only hoped that I possessed sufficient time before they chose to activate me as a pawn in whatever game they were plotting.

"It was only on the fourth trip to the city that I felt relatively safe to attempt an escape. I was alone with Brak, one of the leaders of the men who brought me to Gor. We were making a delivery to some Slavers, a group of women from Earth, all very new to Gor, unable to even speak Gorean. Barbarians.

"The delivery went off smoothly and we decided to stop at a local paga tavern for the evening, to avail ourselves of the paga and other pleasures. We spent many Ahn there, getting fairly well intoxicated, though some of my own was mere acting. I needed as clear a head as possible for my plans this evening. It was quite late when we retired to a nearby insulae where Brak had an apartment.

"It was there that I rendered Brak unconscious, the pommel of a dagger at the base of his skull. I then bound him tightly before waking him. I spent several Ahn interrogating him. Do not ask my methods. I needed information from him, and could not hesitate. I had to know the truth. I had to have my questions answered.

"In the end, I felt relatively secure in the knowledge I had acquired. I learned of the deaths of the nine women that I had helped abduct. I learned that Brak did work for the Others. I learned that I was to be a pawn in some future plans but Brak was unaware of the specifics. And I believed him on that point.

"It was now mid-morning. I killed Brak, knowing I could not leave him alive. I had to escape and the more lead time the safer I would be. So, I fled into the city, finally booking passage to Port Kar, that pirate city on the coast. For it was the place where I felt I could most easily find an agent of the Priest-Kings. Which I did.

"I was eventually taken back to Earth so that I could assist in thwarting the plans of the Others. For I finally realized their intent, after piecing together small bits of information I had acquired during my stay on Gor. And it boded ill for Earth. But I have been entrusted to help prevent this from occurring."

Sebastian stopped for a bit, drinking more of his wine. This was such an incredible story yet it was all true. That I did not doubt. And the burning question now was, why tell me all of this? I certainly was pleased he had contacted me, but I wanted to know why. Sebastian then excused himself to use the rest room, and I remained there, thinking about what lay before me.

When Sebastian returned, he wanted to finish his meal, and to talk more later. It was obvious that he desired my aid, and wanted more privacy to discuss it. So, we ate the rest of our steaks, paid the bill and left. We hailed a taxi and took it to my apartment.

Once there, I opened a bottle of one of my favorite wines, a hearty Spanish Rioja. I brought Sebastian a glass of the silky red wine, using my finest crystal. Such fine wine deserved to be presented in on the best vessel. We toasted several times, the jubilation in my eyes quite evident. Sebastian was quite pleased with my choice, savoring the taste of the tempranillo.

He started to speak again yet said little before his eyes glazed over and he slipped off the couch onto the floor. His body lay sprawled there, unconscious. I quickly checked to ensure that he was not faking and then I went to the telephone.

Tassa powder is a red powder, odorless and tasteless. It mixes best with red wine, and is then almost undetectable. And it renders a person unconscious. Sebastian remain on the floor for at least a couple hours. Plenty of time for what would come next.

About fifteen minutes after I made my call, five men showed up at my door, and they took Sebastian away. I had paid the price that had been asked of me. That betrayal had earned me a journey to Gor. It was the fulfillment of my own fervent dream. A fulfillment that I had not expected to actually occur, for I had not expected Sebastian to ever contact me.

When I had been originally contacted about Sebastian, the men had made clear the stakes. They knew of my desire to go to the true Gor, and they used that as a bargaining chip. They suspected that Sebastian might return to Earth and if so, that he might contact me. So, they promised me Gor if I would deliver them Sebastian. And they even gave me the Tassa powder.

I am under no illusions. Sebastian's story was true. I was aiding and abetting the Kurii, the Others who sought to conquer Gor. I had sold my soul for a journey through space, to a world I had only ever read about. To me, the cost was worth it all. We all have a price we are willing to pay for our dreams.

Three months passed.

I leave for Gor tomorrow. I have chosen four women to accompany me, women I met online. My benefactors will assure that they are abducted and delivered to me once we reach Gor. I have made my choice, so have chosen to embrace all of its totality. I am now an agent of the Kurii, a willing tool in their schemes against Gor. When they succeed one day, I shall become the Ubar of a Gorean city, wealthy and powerful. I look forward to such a future.