by M. Arcturus
She handed the papers over to Oberon. To his amazement, the paperwork was identical. She whispered, “I found these in the captain’s quarters.”
“Can you read what they say?”
“I’m afraid not. Resheda is dead, and we can’t find her envoy anywhere.” Seth shivered as he thought back to moment when he drove the head marker into the ground at the envoy’s burial site.
“Though this seems like important evidence, until we find someone who can read this, it can’t be used. For all we know, this can prove Juron’s telling the truth. The cargo he’s hiding may not even be listed here.” Oberon sighed once again. “Go on and take your seats. We can’t hold up procedures any longer.”
Campanula mumbled to the two of them, “Well I think it’s rather convenient that the only ones who can read this are either dead or missing. It seems like someone or something has chosen this path for us. In other words, gentlemen, we’re being railroaded.” In a swift huff, she walked back to her seat. Seth was quick to follow suit. Juron scooted back in his seat, regaining his confidence.
“I’m sorry, Selené. Where did you leave off?”
Selené continued with her story as if there had been no interruption. “When we reached the cargo hold, we saw Kajaka near a burlap sack, trying to remove it from the ship. At that time, all three of us, Pandora, Kajaka, and I were captured, beaten, bruised, and almost came face to face with death all because we were trying to save Atlantis. Yet through it all, she was brought to shore, cast in a net of chains as you saw her earlier today, still blindfolded. Evading all our protests, she still landed here on Atlantis. She is here for a reason. Regardless of the rumor’s truth, we must deal with the fact that she is here, and that due to recent events, the whole of Atlantis is on trial. Our methods of trading have brought this upon us. This is Judgment day!”
The Council broke out in a loud uproar. Considering the mass hysteria, no one saw the three dark, hooded figures behind the human representatives stand up and walk out. Kajaka looked frantically at Shadow. They surveyed the people around them. Everyone was convinced that Giséi was indeed destined to destroy them; even Selené seemed to believe this, and that disappointed them. They were hoping that someone would stop the rumors. If anyone could dispel the gossip, it was Selené. Without warning, the ground began to rumble, and everyone’s attention became focused on Lord Oberon.
“Ladies, gentlemen, please take your seats and restore order,” Oberon said and waited a moment for the crowd to settle down before continuing. “Selené, please refrain from making such comments. They seem to unnerve the audience. We must all remain calm.”
“I was only trying to help them understand the severity of the situation.”
“Please, leave that up to me,” he said through stressed sarcasm. He continued, “You mentioned that there were ‘problems’ in our trading system. I’m assuming this means that there are more problems than just an unholy ship bearing a prisoner and hidden cargo?”
Selené opened her mouth, about to say her piece when she was interrupted.
“What proof do you have that states there was hidden cargo aboard that ship? I told you what was on board!”
Juron’s chirp-like voice parted the silence behind Oberon like metal scraping concrete. Oberon even flinched at the sound of it.
As if trying to muster the patience to talk to a whining child, Oberon took a deep breath before answering Juron.
“Brother, I don’t know what has happened to you. The Juron I knew was a just and firm governor. He could conduct this Council as if it were a symphony and run it smoother than a kite on the wind.”
“I have to admit, you do lack my skill when taking the reins of the Council,” Juron replied. “You always had a knack for drawing things out well beyond their necessity.”
Oberon didn’t respond to Juron’s statement and continued his speech.
“Juron’s voice has never sounded so grotesque, and he knew to keep his mouth shut when a witness was put on the stand! To top it off, we have witnesses right here in the Council room who state otherwise in regard to the cargo. If that isn’t going to be proof enough to establish ‘hidden’ cargo or underhandedness, your behavior compels the Council to search even further for the cause of this change in your conduct!”
Obviously proud at provoking his brother, Juron sank back in his chair with a giddy smirk on his face as he clutched the object in his hands even tighter. Oberon turned his attention back to Selené, “Please continue, Selené. I believe we were about to discuss your concern over our trading system.”
Juron let out a giggle and fidgeted in his chair again. As if there was someone sitting next to him, he turned his head toward his left shoulder and said in a giggled whisper, “Like I said! He talks too much!” Oberon ignored him and kept his eyes on Selené.
She paused for a moment to look at Juron, who was still looking in the other direction. His whole upper body shook as he silently giggled toward the open space beside him. Realizing she was still on the stand, she answered the question.
“First, I would like to know why Juron and his Guard were waiting at the port for the ship to dock that night when he claims that it was going to dock the following morning. Oddly enough, the ship was close enough to drop off an envoy around the earliest hours that same day. Plus, most cargo ships unload their shipments without his help, which leads me to believe that there was something being transported that he didn’t want anyone else to know about. Not knowing what this cargo is or what it does, do we really want it in the marketplace? Second, I have seen horrors in the marketplace that you wouldn’t believe!”
Completely engrossed with her logic, Oberon asked, “What do you mean by horrors?”
“There is a drug called Glaecia. Most alien races sitting here in this room, have outlawed its use due to its addictive nature. However, it’s running rampant on our streets and allowing our morals to be questioned by disrupting our homes.”
The Ackrids were enraged! “How dare you bring up the Glaecia trade!” spouted one.
“You have no right to bring this matter up before the Council!” shouted another. They stood up with their sacred swords drawn, and they quickly advanced upon Selené.
Seth jumped in the way, stopping their advancement. Their swords came crashing down upon him as he crossed his swords to block them. They kept steady pressure with their swords on his, but they had paused for one brief moment. A wave of shock and disbelief washed over them, and it reflected in their eyes. He stood there serving as a reminder of what they used to be. Their eyes narrowed. His flesh still radiated with a golden glow. He showed no signs of being affected by the radiation on their planet, yet he had turned against them! Their anger combined with jealousy and resentment. Yes, due to standing against them, he had done something that was punishable by death in their culture. He knew now, once and for all, that he was never to return home. Whether or not his actions were just, he was going to be reported to his planet’s government. Feeling the pressure of their swords ease, he knew they were about to attack.
Just before they had time to strike again, “Arrest them!” ordered Oberon with unshaken authority.
The palace guards surrounded them. After an intense struggle, the Ackrids were taken by force and found themselves bound together under strict supervision.
Oberon smiled faintly at Selené. “It seems you may have struck a chord with one of our trading allies.”
“That wasn’t my intent. Regarding the marketplace, I noticed that there were many who felt the same as me, but couldn’t find themselves in the right situation to say something and live through it.”
“I see your point.” He continued, “Seth!” Seth had started to follow the guards to the Ackrids’ new keep, but turned toward Oberon’s voice, “I need you to stay momentarily, but first, please tell the guards to open a com-link to their cell. Even though they’re going to be kep
t in captivity, they still have a right to be a part of this Council.” Seth nodded and walked off to instruct the guards of their new orders. Once he was done, he took a seat in the front row, waiting for Oberon’s next set of instructions. Oberon redirected his attention to someone near the back of the arena, “Would you mind lowering the screen, so we can converse with the Ackrids through the com-link?”
No one responded, but the screen was automatically lowered, and without a moment to spare, the Council was blessed with a close up of the Ackrid leader’s face. The flesh was half rotted on its face, and long, black, matted hair hung in its eyes. It spouted something in their ancient native tongue, which sent all of their translator boxes squealing. Obviously, ancient Ackrid was not in its language index.
Oberon winced, rubbed his ear and added, “It appears our guests don’t like the new arrangements. Please feel free to translate that for the Council,” he said to the Ackrid. “I’m sure they will appreciate that.”
“If you do not release us, death will find its way to your precious community,” the leader spoke with unwavering power. Just as Oberon was about to laugh it off, the Ackrid held up one of the palace guards, holding its Kit-Lar to his throat.
Seth couldn’t believe his eyes. Everything that his people stood for came crashing to the floor. The representatives gasped at the sight! They could not believe such a thing! About that time, a guard fell through the Council room door, holding his side. Blood flowed freely down his uniform.
“Sir, Lord Oberon, we thought we had the Ackrids tightly restrained as we took them to the jail below, but they took us by surprise. They disposed of the other guards, and I’m sure to quickly follow. With relentless strength, they slaughtered us and then dispersed into the shadows. They could be anywhere by now.” The guard was right. The only Ackrid they saw on the screen was their leader. Oberon was about to call for a medic, but the guard had already passed away.
Oberon spun back around to address the Ackrid viewed on the screen, “If we could please continue with the proceedings, once we’re done, you will be released.” Wanting to spare the guard held hostage, Oberon calmly added, “And any other demands you may have will be met.”
“Time’s up,” the Ackrid spat in dismay. “We have already freed ourselves. We do not need your permission.” He gutted the guard without a flinch. Then, just like the other Ackrids, he left the jail cell, letting the surveillance camera project a blank white jail wall on the screen in the Council room. The Council gasped in horror.
Oberon’s head fell into his hand in disbelief, “I guess they will war over anything.” His Lady’s eyes were wide with sorrow, and her ears twitched with uneasiness. Even Kajaka reached for Shadow’s hand as they sat beside each other.
Without any confirmation from his Lord, Sorbek stood up from his seat full of pride and confidence. Oberon glanced over at him and through unsaid words, Sorbek was released from his guard duties. Seth watched him leave the arena with his jerky wolf-like stride and soon took off in his own direction, creating a silent competition with Oberon’s Head of Security. Oberon was about to say something to Seth in protest, but it was already too late.
“I asked him to stay due to the evidence he found, and now he’s taken off, trying to prove something, as if Sorbek needs his help. All Seth is doing is causing more work for Sorbek,” mumbled Oberon under his breath.
“Seth’s just trying to win your approval. You probably think that Sorbek will have more on his plate with Seth in pursuit. Not only will Sorbek have to stop the Ackrids, but now he has to keep Seth out of trouble.” Oberon shot her a warning look, but Selené continued, “Seth has been my friend for a very long time, but most importantly he’s been a blessing here on Atlantis. The guards have looked up to him as a great soldier and leader, and I’m personally glad that he’s here to aid Sorbek. For all you know, Sorbek may need him.”
Oberon let out a grumble of disbelief, then turned his attention to the audience, “I would appreciate you staying in your seats. It’s safer if we all stick together.” With that said, those who were attempting to leave took to their seats once again.
The Lady of Avalon approached Oberon and whispered softly, “Most of the Council members here are from the Galactic Council. The Ackrids have now been exposed, and if this is brought up before the Galactic Council, it could affect their trading system, or worse. Of course, the Ackrids are going to fight. Unfortunately, I’m not sure how far they’re willing to take it.”
By now, the other Council members were taking action. The Ackrids weren’t the only race that was known as a warrior class. As everyone suited up, swords and weapons of all kinds flickered throughout the crowd when they caught the light from the spotlights above. The doors to the Council room shut with an enormous dissonant clap, enclosing everyone inside. They all turned their attention to Oberon, who was obviously responsible for giving the order to lock them in. His nonverbal command was evident as he lowered his hand, which had just signaled to the guards.
The doors rattled for a moment as if someone was trying to open them, and then whatever or whoever it was stopped. Looking around at the other human representatives, Sir Anthony realized that they were the only ones who were not armed in some form or fashion. He stood up and walked down the stairs to the main floor to address the situation to Oberon. When he got there, Oberon was surrounded by multiple members of the Council who wanted to discuss new plans of action. Anthony’s attention was then brought to the prisoners held within the confines of the spotlights. He walked up to Selené.
“I don’t believe that you two should be caged while death is afoot,” He said and extended his hand into the light. Giséi and Selené looked at Oberon, realizing that he wasn’t paying any attention. They took Anthony up on his offer. After he freed them, he moved on to the next cell of light. As Anthony neared, Pandora stood up, ready for her own rescue. He looked over his shoulder to Oberon.
“No need to worry about him. I can handle my father. Just get me out of here,” She said and reached for his hand. Freedom became hers.
Anthony was about to attempt freeing Juron when, as if Oberon had eyes on the back of his head, he turned from his current discussion, “I can handle you freeing the girls, but Juron shall remain. He has little honor and will disappear into the crowd like the coward he truly is.”
“You can’t just leave me in here, Oberon!” retorted Juron.
“Try me!” Oberon gestured for the sea creatures to surround his cell. As they took their places, Oberon added, “If I were you, I would appreciate the fact that I went through the trouble of adding bodyguards to your cell. So, sit there and shut up!” He turned back to his previous conversation with the Council members.
Selené looked up at where the human representatives were sitting. All had moved to the main floor except for the sleeping man. Anthony, realizing that she must have had a few questions, walked over to her and stood there without a word.
“Who is that?” She asked, wondering if she should wake him.
“According to the conversation the five of us had while the trial was adjourned, that is Edgar Cayce—better known in his time as the ‘Sleeping Prophet.’ I’m not sure how he does it, but I can only assume that he falls asleep, then someone asks him a question, and while still asleep he gives them an answer. It is said that he gets his answers from the books in Atlantis’s library while he sleeps, almost like a form of astral projection.”
Selené jumped back a little out of shock. There was no library on Atlantis, but it could have been the archive. She reflected back to the times she spent in the archive. Periodically, she would see something out of the corner of her eye, and when she went to investigate, nothing was there except an open book with its pages fluttering in the wind. It was almost like someone had left in a flash, and the breeze that was created from them running away moved the pages. Now the mystery might have been solved; it could have been Edgar looking up
some records to answer someone’s question.
When she didn’t explain her reaction, he continued, “We all seem to have our own ways of reaching Atlantis. I guess his way is astral projection.”
With Anthony’s words came a wave of revelation that washed over her. Due to the relentless pressure of being on trial, she didn’t stop to realize that she had finally witnessed how some of the human representatives arrived. And to her great relief, Juron closing Atlantis’s port had no bearing on how they reached Atlantis. The representatives didn’t rely on the ships with golden sails or their cargo ships. They had their own unique mode of transportation. “Please tell me more about how the rest of you arrived.” She asked in amazement.
“Well, let’s start with that gentleman over there. He bummed a ride with me in my time machine,” Anthony said as he gestured to the man he had come with. His blonde hair was still ruffled about, and his clothes looked dirty and worn. “That is Nostradamus. He may not look it now, but he’s going to be a great astrologer as well as a physician. Best of all, his predictions will test the strength of time itself! Other than running from a group that he calls the ‘Inquisition,’ he cleans up rather nicely.”
“Who is that over there?” she asked. Anthony looked at the gentleman standing next to the palace guards. Obviously, they were not taking any chances with this one.
“That one really has me stumped. He seems to be addicted to this green elixir. I think he screwed up when making the last batch of that green slime because arriving here was not what he had intended to do. He says his name is Dr. Jekyll. To a certain degree, it makes sense. He was rumbling on about Mr. Hyde, but where I’m from, Dr. Jekyll is a character from a book. Poor fella, he’s been so shook up.”