Lost Continent

by Waggoner, Robert C.

  "Our thoughts exactly Jovan. However, we like a challenge. We have a plan and will inform you of that very thing in short order. Meanwhile, do your best to make us look like we're benevolent."

  "I understand High Council. I fear this will be an uphill struggle with some give and take. I'll inform Lucas and the others of our conversation."

  _____________________

  JB was on his way to Dallas. He was anxious to see and meet the former members of Atlantis. His biggest hope was they, or the Scio beings, were on the level without an ulterior motive. However in the pit of his stomach, he feared the worst for human kind. The flight attendant came by asking if he needed anything. JB looked into her eyes seeing a warm friendly person who really wanted to fetch something if he so desired. He said, "Yes, I'd like a glass of white wine please." Then he wondered if on another solar system they had wine? He shook his head thinking of course they did; or a facsimile of said beverage.

  The wine came with a smile. He smiled back thanking her for the nice service. He raised his glass to toast his wife. He took a sip and then made another toast: 'To the stars we go JB; who would have thought it.'

  By the time JB arrived in Texas, a meeting was taking place between the Atlantians and the 'A' Team. Secretary of State Lois was in attendance but required to say nothing from the sidelines. The UK was also in attendance along with Russia, China and India. Matt was the primary spokesperson.

  "I asked for this meeting Lucas and friends. We are comfortable with you now to acknowledge you as friends. Gwen asked me a question last night I couldn't answer. Help me out here please. Does Scio use money as a means of doing business; or as a means of exchange?"

  Lucas never batted an eye and said, "No, there's no need for money as you know it. On Scio and its other worlds, all is provided for. We've no need for accumulation of wealth. We prefer the well being of self and environment to power over others. All of our dwellings are the same. Indeed one might think that boring, but it's efficient. If you want to go somewhere, transportation is provided at no cost. Food is whatever you desire. You can set a daily menu or weekly or monthly order. It's delivered to your door. Your door is answered by a robot. It takes your order and stores it away until ordered. For example, if you want spaghetti for dinner at a specific time, bingo it's there for you.

  We think a person needs a healthy body and mind. Exercise and education/work is the answer for Scio. The Scio High Council believes we should be satisfied with what we have. Are there any more questions?"

  The room was quiet. The only sound came from someone stifling a persistent cough. Matt looked around the table for any help that might be offered in the way of insight into a culture that really sounded too good to be true.

  Gwen said, "Ever since we discovered the steel box with the book inside, it's been like magnet drawing us to another world outside of our own. I don't know about anyone else at this point, but I feel we've no choice in the matter. If human kind has an opportunity to begin all over again, then so be it. However, as I view the past, we humans never learn our lesson. We seem to repeat our mistakes over and over again. Having said that, my question is this, does Scio have aggressive enemies? More specifically, does Scio have weapons to protect their interests against an invader?"

  Jovan said, "This might be hard to understand or visualize, but around each and every planet, moon or asteroid a protective shield prevents any hostile invader from penetrating a Scio land mass. From what we understand, a code is given by the High Council for each vessel coming or going. Scanners are used on all inbound ships to make sure none house any weapons. We're told that all has been quiet for many thousands of years."

  "Let's cut to the chase," said Matt. "We would like to reside on a planet where we can start anew. Our educated can be used anywhere, but many millions of earthlings just need a place to live. We think with the proper laws or rules mankind will make a new beginning."

  The persons occupying the room were stunned with what they just heard. The visitors, especially Secretary of State Lois Langlois was biting her tongue. She was about to explode. She fumed thinking, 'How dare he try to make a deal for our lives without first explaining it to the masses.' Lois looked around at her fellow bystanders seeing the same thoughts as hers. Then Lucas of the Atlantians said:

  "Frankly speaking and this doesn't come from us former earthlings, but you here on Earth really don't have any choice. The High Council wishes for you to make the transition with amiability. They think you've made a mess of things here on Earth. It needs to heal itself without any interference. The High Council believes in benevolent ways and feels responsible to the greater good to save Earth in this solar system. Perhaps in many centuries to come, humans could once again reside here."

  _______________________

  * *

  "Well there you have it council members. Lucas has spelled it out for humans to consider what had been put forth. We'll transport the less educated to our training facilities on Argos. The craftsmen will begin a new settlement on Argos neighbor Soju. The engineers of Earth will train with our mining and fabrication facilities on various other planets. For a home world, let's give them Soloid. As for the intelligent and well educated, like Matt and his soon to be wife, Gwen, let's train them here on Scio as they will be the leaders of the future. As for the power junkies and politicians and other like humans, Soju should fit them well. It's time they got their hands dirty. Hard work never hurt anybody. I might even take up a human body for awhile to see what it's like."

  "I think we can almost wrap this up. Let's send the first transport ship when ready. By the time earthlings have their affairs in order, we'll have our facilities ready to accept them. Let's make sure we inoculate each human with our control chip just in case."

  "I agree with both of you. Also let's be benevolent and make sure we can keep families together as much as possible. I just thought of something and that is the bad guys in prisons around the world. Some are guilty and some are innocent. What do we do with the guilty?"

  "We still have that world where some of the former Atlantians who wouldn't conform are living. Let them deal with those individuals who bring harm to others."

  _________________________

  After the meeting ended, Matt was slammed with questions by the dignitaries who witnessed the exchange. Lois headed the group laying into Matt saying, "How dare you negotiate the fate of the world?"

  A deep voice was heard throughout the room. There was no doubt it didn't come from anyone in the room. The voice said, "This is the High Council of Scio speaking. What you heard from Matt and the Atlantians is what will transpire. Those that choose to speak out against what we are trying to do for humankind will lose the ability to speak and be heard. You are forewarned. You'll be given one more chance after being relieved of your vocal ability. After that, if you continue to protest, the loss of speech is permanent. I suggest Lois Langlois you pay attention to what we say."

  The room went silent. All of the invited dignitaries stood with mouths open. Lois turned and walked out; followed by the rest of the spectators. The A Team smiled, but all realized they were playing with the big boys now. JB came forward and shook Matt's hand. He said, "You did the best you could for mankind Matt. We've nothing to lose and everything to gain. More than a billion humans live in poverty. Sleeping on cardboard will be a thing of the past. No squatter settlements and displaced camps where people have been rooted out of their homes."

  "Many will rebel JB," said Gwen. "The super rich are or will take drastic measures to keep from going. I just thought of something everybody, what about our precious art and things like that?"

  Lucas said, "All of those things will be taken care of Gwen. They will be preserved and then transported to your new home cities."

  "That's a relief," said Gwen. "I'm famished. Let's find something to eat. Little Matt is telling me that it's time to find some nourishment."

  Back at the White House, with the other world representatives in attendanc
e, Secretary of State Lois Langlois said, with the president listening, "In a nut shell, we are being regulated to the bottom of the pile. It appears to me that politicians, lawyers, bankers, investment executives, and so on are redundant on Scio. I for one resent this situation." She continued, but no voice was heard. Her mouth was making words, but nothing or no sound was detected.

  The president sat up in his chair staring at his secretary of state. Only a few seconds had passed when Lois realized no sound was forthcoming from her mouth. She mouthed an 'oh shit' then sat down. A tear rolled down her cheek. She let it drip onto her power suit. The president said, "What the hell is going on? What happened to her voice?"

  The British ambassador said, "She was forewarned by the off-world High Council not to vocally protest the upcoming events by High Council order. If vocal protest is heard, after one warning, that person will lose his or her voice ability."

  This is unbelievable. Are we supposed to just roll over and let them steamroll us into whatever they desire?"

  "I think we best devise a method of communicating that doesn't protest the future move to Scio," said the British ambassador.

  "I suggest we go about business as usual, ignoring the off -world invaders. Who knows, this might work out better than we imagine. We could get rid of some real deadbeats opening the way up for bigger and better things on the morrow," said President Willins.

  A few nods of the heads around the room lacked any real thoughts of this statement would come to pass. Most felt the off -world aliens held all the cards. It stood to reason that they had literally thousands of years more experience than earthlings. Be that as it may, a few looked at Lois with sympathy. However, some saw it as a blessing if only their wives would succumb to the same fate.

  __________________________

  **

  At Cowboy Stadium in Arlington over 100,000 had jammed the stadium to hear what the A Team astronauts and the Atlantians from Scio had to say. On the 50 yard line a slowly revolving round stage held the six members of each planet. A giant screen brought the speakers close to the audience. Television cameras from around the world with all of the major languages were being used for interpretation. Where specific dialects were spoken, local interpreters furnished the spoken word.

  At shortly after 1 pm, Matt Holmes stepped to the podium. He gazed around as the roar dissipated into silence. He wondered what he would say but then decided to speak as plainly as he knew how.

  It was late last night when all of the team members, and support members, agreed to accept what they were offered from Scio. All hell was going to break loose on Planet Earth. This would be especially true when violent and persistent protesters lost their speaking ability.

  Matt said, "My fellow man, which includes women by the way." Laughter was heard which indeed broke the tension for the moment. "Here are the facts as we know them at the present time. Let me go back in time when we discovered the steel box that contained the written record of Atlantis. It was quickly determined that the original civilization of Atlantis was not alone but contained some off - world beings.

  Let me say this about the original Atlantis. It was highly developed for the times. The city was laid out in concentric circles using advanced math. Its infrastructure contained running water, sewer system and some form of power to manufacture tools and other things. Now please remember this was more than 12,000 years ago. Our first form of written language was developed in Atlantis. The spoken language of Latin is still used to some degree in Europe. Be that as it may, our dynamic Earth produced an enormous earthquake completely destroying Atlantis. The Scio beings have some foresight ability. They in turn removed all or most of the population relocating to their home planet Scio. The six members you see behind me are ancestors from the original Atlantians. As you can see there're three women and three men. Each, as we are told, was picked by the Scio High Council as a means of transmitting information to the ever growing population of humans on Scio.

  We are told that the Planet Earth is destined to be inhabitable within less than a century from now. We can already see the handwriting on the wall with global warming. Our weather has changed dramatically. Stronger earthquakes are occurring; more power hurricanes have shown us the future in violent storms.

  Scio has offered to transport any and all who desire to relocate to another solar system. The Scio civilization is millions of years more advanced than we are. They have the ability to travel faster than the speed of light. We are told that they have spaceships that are staggering in size capable of transporting half a billion people at one time.

  I should add at this point, we have no choice in the matter. To protest is futile. We're told that life for the majority of us would be much better than it is now. Poverty wouldn't exist as we experience it now. Money is not needed. Work is necessary. Housing and food is provided. On the surface it sounds like a utopia, but it's not. Simply put, man has destroyed his planet and most of the resources are depleted. An opportunity is open for us to begin anew. I for one will take the offer and opportunity to raise my family in a war free environment without the fear of a nuclear bomb wiping us out.

  I'm also told that religion can be worshipped as before. One must declare what form or denomination so placement doesn't conflict with other religions or beliefs.

  I'll now turn the podium over to Lucas the spokesperson of Scio's Atlantians. He and the others will speak of their life compared to ours. Listen carefully. One more thing, I've been asked to invite a member of the Scio High Council to speak to us all. You'll hear the voice in surround sound. As you came in today, you were asked to write a question and given a number. Ten numbers will be drawn and those ten questions will be answered by the High Council. Now, having said that, please speak member of the High Council."

  In a warm fatherly voice heard around the world, "Greeting humankind. Thanks for letting me share some precious time with you. For many thousands of your years we've watched you develop. Recently you've made great strides in technology, but so much more awaits you. What may seem harsh to you is relocation from your homes and the life style you are familiar with. If nothing else, mankind adjusts to any given change whether good or bad. Your planet is on a course of no return. In our lifetime, your future is but a blink of an eye. You've no choice but to let us relocate you where you can start afresh. Most of the changes you will face will be to your benefit. Some will no doubt feel life is not fair. Be that as it may, as soon as possible, we'll start transporting you to our worlds. Now I've agreed to answer ten questions from the audience. Please Lucas begin the session."

  "I understand we have all ten people on the field here right now. Please number one asks your question."

  An old lady said, "Is there an age limit that can go?"

  HC [High Council] said, "No, I can see that once you've been transported a continued life of a few hundred years is in your future. We have no disease here. Each of you will receive an injection to rid any foreign bacteria upon arrival. Next please.

  Number two asked, "How do we know we can trust you aliens to do what you say?"

  "You won't know until you've been here for awhile. As you can see by our six Atlantians, they're well and good. Next."

  Number three said, "Do you have a physical body?"

  "No I don't. Our civilization evolved out of any physical body many thousands of years ago. We are pure energy being everywhere at the same time. Nothing happens in this or some other solar systems without us being aware of it. But remember the universe is very large."

  Number four asked, "It sounds like all work and no play nor free time. Are we allowed any vacation time?"

  "We have a region by region, planet by planet shut down except for vital services once a year. We have many other worlds you can visit and relax enjoying whatever sport you might like. Next."

  Number five. "Our world here is fully stocked with alcohol and drugs. Does Scio have this same problem?"

  "No we don't. Our beverages don't contain any alcohol.
Scio doesn't manufacture any drugs or medicines. Consequently no drug problem exists. Next."

  Number six asked, "I realize happiness is a relative emotion. Do you think earthlings will be happy with their new life and the world they live on?"

  "We think if you create something or are a part of that process, anyone can feel good about being a part of some development. For example, if a scientist develops a new plant that benefits the greater good, he/she can feel happy about that experience. If an artist creates something others enjoy looking at it, so be it.

  Number seven said, "I'm a politician and as I understand it there's no use for my place on Scio's worlds. What am I to do?"

  "I'm sure you could find other fields to work in. You'll be exposed to a multitude of skills and tests to determine what you might like to do. Next"

  Number eight asked, "I'm a school teacher by trade. Can I continue in that profession?"

  "Indeed yes. Teachers are always in demand throughout our solar system. You're more than welcome. Next."

  Number nine. "I'm a policeman. Is there a place for us in your world?"

  "In the beginning you'll be needed, but violence is forbidden on our worlds. Our history proves that in some cases, humans have mental breakdowns and can possibly become violent. Security is a special field. You'll be evaluated upon arrival. Last question please."

  "I'm a housewife loving to raise my kids. Can I continue that or will I have to be trained in another field?"

  "You may continue being a housewife and mother for many decades. If you're selected for our breeding program, you can have children for hundreds of years. Thank you and hope to see you soon."