Chapter 6 Powered Up with a New Queen in Place

Chapter 6 Powered Up with a New Queen in Place

As the doors slid open, a rush of stale air hit us. We were all masked up, but even just cracking the door seemed to bring the entire ship online. "Neptune, are you seeing this?" I asked.

"Affirmative," Neptune responded. "I'm running an air analysis now... and it's coming back safe. You may remove your masks." 

We hesitated for a moment, then pulled them off, our eyes widening as we peered inside. The sight took our breath away. Abatrose attempted to step forward, but I held him back. "Not yet, love," I cautioned. "Neptune, scan for life signs."

"There are two thousand life forms on board, out of those only twenty-five are still alive," we all stare at each other in shock.

"Neptune, locate the living Life forms, please," I said with a shaky voice.

"They are all in hibernation chambers in the medical wing of the ship," she informed me.

"Can you access the ship's computers?" I asked hopeful.

"'I can not access the computers without authorization from its commander," Neptune said. "You will need to take control of the ship first." I hesitated, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "Neptune, lock onto the ship's position and track my team's locations," I ordered, trying to sound more confident than I felt. 

As I stepped forward, a holographic android materialized in front of me, holding out a small pad. "Hello, welcome aboard!" it said cheerfully. "Bio-scan, please." I raised an eyebrow, but the android's expectant gaze prompted me to place my hand on the pad. The others watched in silence, their eyes fixed on the hologram, as I placed my hand on the pad.

"Ah, A Royal, and Our New reigning Queen of Atlantis!" he bowed to me. "How may I be of service?" I cleared my throat, not expecting any of this. "I am Queen Raven Delacroix, and this is my King, Niklaus Delacroix." I watched him register everything I had said.

"Neptune, are you there?" I asked. When she responded, the hologram instantly connected with her. "A superior model, I am honored," he bowed to her small interface that was made into all of our diving gear. "I am at your service, Your Majesties. Please, follow me to the command center. We have much to discuss regarding the state of the ship and its kingdom." he turned and floated forward, we all followed cautiously.

"I am in the ship's system!" Neptune announces, "The hologram's name is 'Thor'. Its system is a mixture of English and an unknown language, I am downloading and deciphering it now."

"Hello Thor, it's nice to meet you!" I said as he stepped aside for us to enter the hallway, scanning all of us as we passed him.

This way he said leading us to the command center.

Abatrose whispered to me "I thought we were not gonna touch anything?" he and Niklaus both laughed.

I playfully slapped them, "I didn't, he told me to, what was I supposed to do, walk away? So I guess we are doing this, Everyone, stay together!" I commanded.

We could see Thor humming and buzzing as he communicated with Neptune.

Ambrose stepped forward, "I am King Abatrose" he stood proud and tall. Thor acknowledged him as King also and allowed him entrance. "Which one is reining King? he asked.

"I am!" Niklaus said with authority, Abatrose smiled at him.

"As we proceed, I will brief you on the current situation," Thor continued. "The ship's systems are functioning below optimal parameters, we have encountered some unexpected challenges in our warping,"  Thor explained.

 "Unexpected challenges?" Niklaus raised an eyebrow, his voice laced with concern. "Yes, Your Majesty," Thor replied. "We have detected strange energy readings emanating from the depths of the ocean. They appear to be some sort of ancient technology, but we cannot decipher their purpose or origin, they have been draining Atlantis's power centers."  he continued.

"Ancient technology?" I repeated, my curiosity piqued. "Take us to the command center, Thor. We need to see this for ourselves."

 "So, Atlantis is not the only ship hiding on the ocean floor!" Abatrose said with worry in his voice, "I don't like this!" "Neither do I, we need to know what is draining Atlantis's power and how to stop it and power her back up," I said, now feeling a bit more authority.

"Those who are in hibernation chambers, who are they, and how do we wake them?" I asked. "And what about the energy readings?" I asked, my mind racing with possibilities. "Are they connected to the ship's propulsion systems?"

"Thor, do you know who's still alive in the chambers?" I asked. "I am not a medical Hologram I am not allowed access to that area," he stated. "Well, that may explain why most didn't make it," I said.

"We need to split up and search the ship for answers, If that's ok with you my Queen?" Abatrose said, his eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor. I nodded

 "I'll check the engineering room, and see if I can find anything about the power drain. Kie said taking Sam and ten warriors with him.

Niklaus and I will check the check the bridge, to see if there are any logs or messages that can give us a clue." I said, my heart racing with anticipation. 

"And what about the hibernation chambers? We need to know who's in there and why." Abatrose's expression turned grim. "I'll check the crew manifest, and see if I can find any information about the crew members in hibernation. But we need to be careful, we don't know what we're up against."

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what lay ahead. "Let's move out. We need to find answers, and fast." We divided into three teams, as we split up to search the ship, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were running out of time. The darkness seemed to press in around me, and I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Atlantis held.

"Thor, How do we power Atlantis back up?" I asked with bated breath.

"She needs to surface with her shields down, she is powered by Solar energy, the quickest way to power her up, is to fly her into the Earth's sun with her shields up," he said, and the thought gave me chills.