Shackleton's Folly (The Lost Wonder Book 1) (35 page)

Electra sat quietly, taking in the view.

Dancer reviewed the data he had recorded during the inbound flight. He commented, “A small continent, obviously. Interesting…”

Electra put her hand on Alec’s shoulder to get his attention. “I’ve studied your history records. Long ago, on your world —
our
world — we chose to leave with the Emperor. It was so long ago that our leaving turned from fact to fable to a legend, lost in pre-history, just as you are to us.”

Alec keyed in commands. He reported, “Small craft are coming our way. Electra, your people — do they ask questions or shoot first?”

A formation of open-air cars approached, emerging from the canyons of glass and steel between the buildings; they fell into an escort formation around the
Quest
. They made it clear that the
Quest
was to follow them; they led the way down the tapering channel in the park. They passed over the outer ring made up of the low mountains. There was a hill at the center of the structure, surrounded by three circular waterways fed by the channel, like the other greenways breaking up the cityscape.

The bustling city rose outside the park, stretching upward toward the sky. Modern buildings walled in the park and its centerpiece: An ancient Earth temple with a giant gold statue of Poseidon riding a chariot and winged horses, glinting in the sun, took up the whole hilltop. The air cars took the
Quest
to a landing zone nearby.

Electra stood behind Alec and Dancer as they showed their piloting precision and followed directions given by the ground crew, who appeared from one of the air cars that had just landed.

Electra smiled with the joy in her heart. “They have made room for you to land near the temple.” The
Quest
’s landing gear softly touched ground and compressed with the weight of the ship. “Welcome to Atlantis,” said Electra.

Alec looked from the port to Electra. “The continent of
Atlantis
?” He leaned forward to get a better look outside. “I am in awe. When you said that the Empire moved you, I never dreamt you meant the entire continent. No wonder no trace of it was found.”

Stalwart-looking dignitaries, some in suits and others in flowing robes, arrived in air cars as security personnel lined up outside the
Quest,
surrounding the ship. The
Quest
’s systems exhausted gases in its shutting-down procedures. Security cordoned off the area as the most curious citizens began showing up to see the newcomers.

The group of dignitaries situated themselves a little distance from the airlock. They talked amongst one another and came to an agreement. They issued orders to the security troops, who then spread out around the ship and managed the crowd as needed — as well as anything coming from the ship. All eyes turned to the
Quest
when the airlock opened. A wave of anxiety washed across the dignitaries as they waited.

Electra came from the darkened interior into the daylight. She paused for a moment as her eyes adjusted. The group’s attitude changed notably as they recognized Electra’s presence.

A middle-aged, dark-haired woman of average build rushed to Electra. Councilwoman Pyrrha said excitedly, “Electra, I always knew you’d make it back.”

Pyrrha and Electra hugged each other as would any long-separated friends.

Alec and Dancer exited the
Quest
behind Electra.

Their hug loosened enough for Electra to breathe. “Good to see you Pyrrha. You now speak Standard.” She looked closely into Pyrrha’s face, “Who else got back?”

Councilwoman Pyrrha said sorrowfully, “Only one, my dear. Cesar made it home two cycles ago. He was in pretty bad shape and didn’t bring anyone else.”

Councilwoman Pyrrha saw Alec and Dancer standing a short distance from them. She released Electra and went to greet Alec. Councilwoman Pyrrha said loudly, “I greet you as the one we owe so much for the return of our Captain.” She made an elaborate bow before Alec.

Alec turned to Electra. “‘
Captain
’?”

“She is of the royal family,” said Councilwoman Pyrrha, who squinted and took a better look at Alec. “You are a Rover, then?” She looked back to Electra.

Electra smiled and said, “No, he is not a Rover,” to Pyrrha and “Yes,” to Alec.

Alec continued, “Captain and royalty?”

“Many of us volunteered to follow those who left to the stars. It happened once a generation. A lottery was held, and my crew won the honor,” Electra replied.

“If not a Rover, who is he?” Councilwoman Pyrrha could see that her Electra had an attachment for this man. He would have to be tested genetically to prove beyond any doubt he was not of the Rovers — a spy sent amongst them. She motioned to a member of the security staff, who surreptitiously pulled a scanner from her equipment belt and started to scan Alec.

“He is one generation from living on the home world,” replied Electra.

The announcement shocked Councilwoman Pyrrha and the other dignitaries in the immediate area. They all closed in on Alec and Dancer.

Councilwoman Pyrrha walked up to Alec and looked at him closely in the eyes. “You are from… but you would not know what our ancestors would have called our home world, would you? So many generations have passed.”

“We called it Earth, but that word was not around so long ago,” responded Alec.

“Called it ‘Earth’?” asked Councilwoman Pyrrha. She caught the eye of the security staff member that was evaluating Alec. She had a surprised look and nodded slightly, indicating that positive results had been returned. Councilwoman Pyrrha’s eyebrow arched with interest in the results.

“Yes, my world ended cycles ago. A small number of us were off planet when disaster struck our home. We do not have a planet to call home,” said Alec sincerely.

Councilwoman Pyrrha paused thoughtfully. “If you are who you claim to be, we are your brothers and sisters. I am sure I can speak for the wishes of the Council and can offer you a home here if we survive.”

Electra turned to Councilwoman Pyrrha. “It has started?”

“It has.” She looked to Alec. “You say our home world has been destroyed. This world,” she said as she opened her arms wide, “and everything and everyone” — she paused and glanced at Electra — “will soon perish if nothing is done.”

Alec held his eyes on Electra. “Tell me what I can do.”

Councilwoman Pyrrha asked, “Has she not told you of the prophecy?”

“Electra told me a little about it.”

“I will tell you in short. It was foretold by the oracles on arrival here at our new home: One day our world here would be devastated, and a horrible end would come to all remaining here. Our only chance of survival was our savior, a seeker who would come from our mother world.” Councilwoman Pyrrha eyed Dancer. “You must understand that we are not the primitive culture we were when we first arrived, and, as I see it, you are not from the culture we left behind.”

Alec glanced over at Dancer and agreed. “We are not the people you left behind.”

Councilwoman Pyrrha said, “The oracles were a faction of prophecy fanatics, the same the end-of-the-world prophecy describing your arrival. They were terrified beyond reason about staying here in the Gardens and wanted to leave.” She looked to Electra.

Electra nodded. “The laws in place about leaving were very restrictive. The Empire had fallen by then, and it was decided that the location of the Gardens needed to remain a secret.”

“They chafed at staying until the end of the world.” Councilwoman Pyrrha followed Alec’s gaze as his expression became contemplative. He focused on Electra as did Alec. “They organized and made a raid on the Maintenance Citadel, cutting off a corner of the dedication plaque.”

“Alec, it was known that the dedication plaque was tied into the maintenance system and the custodians. They must have thought the custodians would blame us for the damage,” said Electra, concerned.

Councilwoman Pyrrha recounted, “They demanded ships and supplies for the return of the missing dedication plaque. Then their demands changed — it became the ships and their freedom.” She underscored the seriousness of the situation. “They claimed they would return the piece but were holding it hostage against anyone following. They left and just vanished.”

Electra turned to Councilwoman Pyrrha. “The incident became the first time the custodians failed to show when known system damage occurred.”

“The belief was that, if they did not come, it meant that the system was not as important as once believed,” said the Councilwoman. “But they were very wrong. The missing custodians were proof that it was more important than we had thought and all this time later that vandalism has brought the end of the world.”

Alec asked Dancer, “Have you ever heard of any other groups of humans?”

Dancer said, “I realize you are asking the question for their benefit.” Dancer turned to Councilwoman Pyrrha. “No other human groups have made contact with any of the worlds I know of, but the galaxy is a big place.”

Electra jumped in, “Councilwoman Pyrrha, we do not need the Rovers. Alec has collected two of the three lost pieces. The last piece was captured by a hostile race who is here in the gardens. They are unaware of the significance of the piece or the imminent danger they have placed themselves in coming here.”

The rest of the dignitaries had moved in closer to hear the conversation, and all were greatly surprised with the revelation. Councilwoman Pyrrha spoke first. “You have two of the pieces with you now?”

Dancer turned and opened his back compartment and removed the wrapped item. He was ready to hand it to the Councilwoman but then turned to Alec. “I believe this is your honor.” He handed it to Alec.

Alec unwrapped the piece from the royal blue velvet and presented it to the Councilwoman. “It is my honor to return this to where it belongs,” said Alec. The Councilwoman and the others could not take their eyes from the material and the characters inscribed into it. Dancer appeared, carrying the second piece he had removed from its hiding place. He handed it to Alec. Alec took the piece from Dancer and held it out to Councilwoman Pyrrha, who handed the one she was holding to another council member and took the second piece from Alec. The proximity to each other had them not only glowing but projecting the representation of the gardens above.

“This is too extraordinary,” said Councilwoman Pyrrha with delight.

Alec said with pride, “My father died believing this inscription would lead him to a world where our race could live in peace and call it home. It looks as if he was right all along. I wish he could have been here.”

“A man with honor and vision,” said Councilwoman Pyrrha. “You will have to tell me about your father sometime.”

“That would be my honor, but we have only two of the three pieces,” said Alec.

Electra said, “Councilwoman Pyrrha — maybe we could call together the Council and provide you a briefing.” She could see that people had gathered at the barriers erected by the security forces to control the growing crowds. Electra leaned in with a coy little smile to whisper into Alec’s ear, “Show them the man I have come to know.”

“You are right, Electra.” Pyrrha spoke to the other members of the group, and all headed toward open air cars. The inscription pieces were carried with reverence as the dignitaries stepped into one of the cars. They left as quickly as the cars filled and doors closed.

Electra was escorted by Councilwoman Pyrrha to a special car set aside for the group. Alec and Dancer entered the vehicle. Alec sat across from the Councilwoman and Electra. The seating was not made for someone of Dancer’s build, so he managed to find a spot on the floor where he could lay flat. The car lifted quickly and hurtled toward a building with a marble façade. Its architecture marked it as a government building.

Alec watched Electra and Councilwoman Pyrrha chat and catch up. He inquired, “Anything else you wish to share?”

Electra smiled and said, “Nothing.”

Councilwoman Pyrrha eyed a display mounted in a side panel. She turned to Electra. “News of your return has spread among our people. Of course, your father has been informed of your miraculous return.”

“I really wish you could have waited.”

Councilwoman Pyrrha was shocked. “I could not have done so, and why would you wish me to? Your return will bring your family great happiness.”

Electra turned to Alec. “Please forgive me for not telling you more about my world, my life, and my family.”

The building grew close. Alec could see that security had cordoned off the front of the building, allowing the air cars to land and their passengers to disembark. Other air cars had landed with individuals who disembarked and moved quickly up the steps into the building. Pedestrians congregated at the borders of the cordoned-off area. Dancer got up first, stepped from the car, and attracted a great deal of interest from the crowd. Then came Alec, who waited for Electra and helped her from the vehicle. A roar of excitement came from those closest to them in the crowd. The noise spread like fire around the enclosed space. Alec held out his arm to each of the women. Electra took it. Councilwoman Pyrrha watched and then followed Electra’s example. Alec led both women up the steps. Dancer followed strategically behind Alec and scanned the multitude slowly. Media representatives were present in force to capture the scene for posterity.

The group entered the building. They encountered citizens of Atlantis. Initially, the citizens were shocked by seeing the group but then produced electronic devices to capture the moment. One woman recognized Electra. “Your Royal Highness, forgive my forwardness. It is a blessing to have you return unharmed.”

Electra replied, “Thank you for your kind thoughts.”

“A member of the royal family,” stated Alec.

Electra smiled. “Alec, here are 75 billion more of your people, and, yes — my father is the King of Atlantis. I am third in line and a Princess.”

Alec came to a halt and asked seriously. “You might have mentioned it sooner. What are you going to say to your father?”

She giggled. “I promise to tell him only what he needs to know.” Electra pulled at Alec’s arm and led him down the corridor to the great meeting chamber of the Council of Atlantis. Atlanteans stopped their business as they went by. They recognized and bowed their heads slightly to Princess Electra.