The rooms prepared for the delegates were lavishly ornamented and themed with relaxation and leisure. Despite the serious agenda of the WAC, it was made to feel like a holiday. Alec just learned earlier about the recreation amenities that grazed one of the floors of the airship. Phil shared to him that it's a tactic to highlight the prestige of the WAC and enthuse more achievers. They also learned that the whole airship structure is five-storey soccer stadium huge. Each floors seemed to have appointed purposes; the top floor being the symposium site.
Their room is masculine and well equipped. There were two beds and a Visual Comlink for external and internal communication is built-in. These Comlinks are hi-tech but any WDF militiaman would know that it's not hi-tech enough to link up with the sophisticated communication network system of the System.
Alec was lying on one of the beds, looking up the ceiling with his hands behind his head. "I didn't tell her who I am, Ph
A stocky, middle-aged woman opened the door from the inside on their third knock on the door that was supposed to be Ava Kinski's.Alec looked at Phil chidingly. "For someone who is hard to miss, she looked absolutely unrecognizably different, Phil."Phil side glanced him with a sharp look then asked the woman. "Sorry to bother you, we thought this is...er... ""Ah you are looking for Miss Ava?" the woman replied gaily, raising her hand above her head to indicate a height. "Tall, beautiful young lady with red hair?"The boys were not sure about 'tall' and 'beautiful' but they nodded anyway."Yes, this is her room. I'm housekeeping. She is not here right now. She literally just stepped out 5 minutes ago. You just missed her. Friends of hers? ""Ah yes - we are old uni friends," Phil said dismissively as they looked at each other; Alec giving him the 'what now?' look."The exhibitions are opening today, this
"We split up from here," Phil instructed as they came upon the entrance to the WAC exhibitions. "You cover the Eastern part and I will cover the other side. If you find her, make sure to give me a buzz immediately. Do not engage unless I tell you to.""Yes, lieutenant,"And they parted ways.The WAC exhibitions is a showcase area where student delegates from each of the different study fields gets to put up a floor booth to share relevant topics or interesting subject matter in their respective fields. Alec could see that many of the students are still in the middle of setting up their booths halfway through the opening of the exhibition. He strode through the Medical studies booths and there was a myriad of fascinating exhibits on new medical technologies, latest discoveries in medicine, etc. Then there was the Political Science area, then the Geology exhibits.No sign of Ava Kinski. Truth be told, he wasn't looking very hard. There were too many distrac
The portal could have been one of the greatest inventions of all time.But such a dream is nothing but a dormant display in the airship's museum---useless and abandoned.Alec and Phil stood by the life-size, tubular structure in front of him. As Alec skimmed through the plate inscriptions on the stand, he couldn't help but feel the loss of what was to be man's greatest invention. A machine that can transport you anywhere is a stuff of dreams. Still, despite being just a display the amazement was there. For the tubular machine may be inactive but it is 100% operational! Yet the one that's standing in front of him right now, the only existing one, sadly is barred for used.It had been a global sensation when announcements of the breakthrough came. Now, it only stood there as a monument of the many unsuccessful attempts to perfect it, waiting for that inspired young genius, if there is one, who is going to break through the pitfalls of its perfection an
She was tall and lean, donned on a full sleeved, waist-length gray, fabric coat that hugged her slim body. Beneath it is a white sleeveless top with a slanting strap on one side that crossed her chest. A short, skirt was worn over a pair of gray tights and knee high fabric, flat boots. There is no mistaking that she is the same young girl in the lab photo because of her sharp features. It's very familiar...and yet somehow different.Different from what he expected.As she stood expressionlessly looking at the consoles of the portal, he watched her keenly: The thick red, shoulder length straight hair plain and loose around her head and resting on her shoulder, snow-white skin, high forehead, stunning sharp nose. She was beautiful but not the Hollywood kind of standard. Her beauty is exotic; a conglomeration of races - most prominent of which is possibly Greek which gave her well-textured facial bones and yet there was a softness about her face. Like an angel - a fierc
No matter what happened, Ava, don't you dare come back to Sybil.She could almost hear her father again as she walked down the hallway away from the men from Sybil.But she need not be told. She knew better than to go back.She could not allow the enemy to get hold of her. Ever.**"And she called herself a civilian-" Alec muttered as he took a gulp of beer. "Heck, she's been acting General on us. We can even act more civil than her. She's no longer in the military premises yet she is more cold-blooded than any hardened soldier. What is up with her?"He recalled her stiffness, her inanimate way of speaking which is a steady lifeless tone... and yet there was no impatience in it. How can she spoke forcefully yet managed a calm voice, he had wondered.They were in a classy bar on the second floor of the ship, seated beside each other on a b
Today, the first academic symposium of the month long convention will be held.Something tickled his nose that made him got up immediately: coffee. And he knew it wasn't just any coffee like that one they get in Sybil for breakfast; it's a freshly brewed aromatic coffee delivered to their room."Do you know what time is it?" Phil who was sitting on the dining table tinkering with his computer greeted him."Uh, let me guess...it's 7'o clock like yesterday," replied Alec without a slight hint of remorse as he was getting up from the bed."How come you still don't have it in your blood to wake up early when that is what you've been routinely doing for the past seven months?" Phil asked as Alec sat opposite him at the dining table, helping himself with the coffee."Must be the bed; I haven't slept in such a comfortable bed in seven months,""It wasn't so comforta
The spacious auditorium occupied the entire top floor of the airship. Today, it is brimming with people for the first day of the WAC symposium. With a seat capacity of thousands, it is enough for the vast student population in Cyrus. It offered a 360 degrees sky view through the glass panels that circumvents it like a glass igloo. Sunlight flared all around seamlessly, filtered through tinted anti-ultraviolet glass panels. Up front is a large stage. On its backdrop is a billboard-size monitor and Phil, Alec and Sanders recognized it to be belonging to the World Government's Communication Network - the Centralink. They were surprised to find it in this civilian activity. The WAC being outfitted with the sophisticated official government commlink technology only goes to show the prestigious support the World Government accords to this academic event. They wondered who would appear there. They d
General Dunreft was called away from the WAC symposium to view a highly important and urgent transmission by the enemy, the first and only.Waiting for him in his spacious, round shape office are two of his commanding officers, Simon Rutledge and Ben Kaine, middle-aged men of stature."For the first time in the history of this war, sir," Commander Rutledge immediately reported as Dunreft stepped in the double doorway. "Addressed specifically to you, Sir," Rutledge mentioned what everyone already knew."After a decade of intentionally blocking communication signals " added Kaine.Dunreft went straight behind his desk, sat down with one of his elbows propped up on the desk and his chin resting on his curled forefinger in contemplation. A decade of war and yet these invaders remained as strangers for reasons known only to them. Is today really the day they are going to break their silence once and for all?"Okay, put it on," instructed Dunreft.Kaine signalled one of his men in the backg
As Matthew lay there in the silent hut, the caretaker ambled about, digging through loads of ingredients. June sat there, staring at Matthew. The hut was warm and was bathed in light; the light was so strong it managed to travel straight through the walls of the med hut, flooding it to the brim. June started to feel a little tired as she let put a yawn. She slowly settled herself down to her side next to Matthew. She felt a little awkward though.As haven't been mentioned, Matthew had to be bandaged, so his shirt and jacket had to be removed, and now the lower half of his upper body was bandaged, but June didn't care, she simply lay there. As she waited patiently for herself to fall asleep, she stared at Matthew, hoping to see those dazzling eyes she had been hoping to see. Turning to her back, June was now staring at the blank ceiling. There were just so many thoughts in her head, like how Suka was doing, whether Atlantis would be protected, if they would even win. Just as she was ab
As the sails drew nearer and nearer towards the shore of Satilant Island, Matthew raced past the trees as June followed. He ran back to the tree with the carved symbols."This could be leading us to Atlantis. Look! There's another tree with the symbol," Matthew said as he followed. There was a trail of trees with the symbols carved on them, leading the two all the way to the other side of the island. They stopped by a tree, which was the last one with the symbol; beyond that was just a huge stone wall."What now?" June asked."There should be a gap somewhere where we could put the tooth." Matthew said as he dragged his hand across the wall, trying to feel a gap. Suddenly he felt an edge. He looked at where his hand was at. There was a gap, shaped of a tooth."June! Look! This is it!" Matthew gasped excitedly. In a hurry, he pushed the tooth into the gap. Nothing. He pressed against the tooth. It seemed like a button, for a huge hole appeared beneath the two; and the next moment they w
As the villagers packed the entire village with meat and vegetables everywhere, Matthew and June sat in Suka's house, questioning him.“...then how did you get that?” Matthew pointed at the tooth-like souvenir with the symbol of water."This, Matthew."Suka placed the necklace in Matthew's hand."Is the only key to open what covers Atlantis. It's a secret door, no one knows about it except me and my tribe. The door will lead to a very secret part of the island which is highly protected. Look for the missing hole which will fit this key perfectly."Matthew stared at the tooth with great interest. He looked up," Wait- you're saying I can keep it?"Suka nodded."I need a break from being the guardian of this secret location, might as well step down and pass it on."June gasped with excitement as she hugged Matthew's left arm tightly. He looked at her and smiled; he looked back at Suka."Thank you," he said warmly yet gratefully. Suka nodded.Outside the hut, Matthew and June joined the f
Matthew, Alexander and June set a campfire by the shores, but they made sure it wasn't too near to the water. They thought that if they rested near water, they'll somehow end up in the next level of finding Atlantis.The waves gently brushed against the sand. June lay peacefully sleeping on a huge leaf. Matthew lay beside her, whereas Alexander would rather sleep on his own than sleep on the same leaf with gits.Matthew still lay wide awake, resting his head on his hands, staring into the starry sky. All he could do was just lay there and do nothing until he falls asleep. June tossed to the other direction facing him. Matthew knew that she was probably still awake."June? " he whispered. June opened her eyes and looked at Matthew, dazed."Is anything wrong?" June asked."No," Matthew sighed, "I was just wonder if you were awake.""Yeah I'm awake." June said as she sat up; Matthew sat up too."I was wondering, well—if you'd like to take a stroll around the island since we have nothing
Matthew tried really hard to ignore the cursing from Alexander as he made his way through the bushes."Okay," he turned to Alexander who abruptly stopped his muttering. Matthew continued, "make sure you act normal. Try to blend in with the others- okay?""Yeah yeah alright whatever let's just get this done and over with." Alexander said grumpily and continued his muttering as he stepped into the clearing.Matthew and Alexander were wearing animal skins as disguise and blend in. Matthew decided he should look for June, so he disguised himself as much as he can. Now he looked completely unrecognisable as his face was entirely covered in some stuff he had puffed onto his face and his head was covered buy a round band of leaves and he was covered in bear skin. He drew fake scars on his arms and one long one across his right eye. He practiced changing his voice so the leader wouldn't recognise him by voice. He also went to a river nearby to change his hairstyle. When Matthew returned to th
Opening his eyes, Alexander found himself in a little hut. The roof was built out of straw and the door in front of him was made out of bamboo. He curiously sat up and shook his head till he got back to Earth."Where on Earth am I?" he asked himself grumpily. Just then a door opened and a figure walked in. A man dressed in thick animal-skin clothing was in sight."Who are you and why did you bring me here?" Alexander demanded. The man stepped closer and closer to him. Alexander gulped, doubting his chance of living...Cutting through the bushes, Matthew and June went all over the place looking for Alexander."Alexander? Alexander! Alexander, where are you?"' Alexander! Come on, if you're hiding this isn't funny! '"Alexander!- June where is he?""I don't know." June said, looking as though she was tempted to give up."It's almost nightfall. We'll have to work a little faster." Matthew said, looking at the sea which was now a shade of orange. They continued searching: looking behind t
Opening his eyes, Matthew found himself covered in sand. He sat bolt up, spitting out sand from his mouth. Dazed, he looked around. There was no sign of June, Alexander, or any of the men."June! Alexander?! Anyone!" he yelled. The only reply was the soft wind as the waves pushed themselves off the shore back into the ocean repeatedly. Matthew squinted at those waves, he noticed a slight movement. Heart thumping fast with hope, he stumbled clumsily to his feet and ran towards where he saw the movement."June!" he breathed as he turned June around, who was laying on her stomach. Staring at her silent face, Matthew thought of doing CPR, but his worried thoughts made him feel too weird to even rest his hands on her chest. With his hopes going higher and higher, Matthew pressed an ear against June's chest. Nothing.She isn't breathing, what now? Matthew thought urgently. Having no choice, he pressed his hands on top of each other, his fingers dug in between the fingers of the hand below a
Hearing the soft, long groaning of boredom and exhaustion from June, Matthew gulped as he peered into the horizons beyond the coastal line. He forgot how it was like to feel the breeze, brushing his hair back, the fresh smell filling the air as he took a deep breath. The next moment he found himself miles away from the equal rows of piers, all he saw now was water; high above water.The ship moved at a moderate speed as he ambled over to the other side of the ship to settle down next to June, who was resting her head on her hand, frowning into the distance."You forgot what it's like," Matthew began. June didn't answer. He continued, "I also forgot what it's like to be out here. In the breeze, watching the sun peaceful set down to the horizon."Hearing the last few words June looked up, she looked from Matthew then to the sun, which was getting ready to make its way down to the horizon as Matthew had said."Being out in the seas is way more fun than to hang around in the city." Matthe
Tossing her phone onto the bed, a young girl of 20 years ambled out of her room and plopped on to the sofa in the living room. It was really peaceful for her- almost- for her peace was rudely disturbed by a voice that called out shrilly, "June! Where's my pen?"A six year- old stomped like an elephant into the living room and glared at her sister."What is it now?" June groaned as she turned to her sister, her ponytail swayed to a side wildly as she turned to her sister, Jacie.June Calloway looked extremely beautiful with brown eyes which matched her dark brown hair, every boy would've fallen for her at the first glance. Her sister, Jacie Calloway, on the other hand, looked as though she could fight a whole pack of lions single-handedly, but most of the time, she seemed pretty helpful and encouraging."My pen!" she demanded."I don't know, okay? I didn't take it!" June snapped, "Besides, that pen looks really bizarre! Is it even a plane or a dinosaur?""No it's not! It was given by t