Chapter 8  The Awakening

Chapter 8  The Awakening

"Neptune recommended upgrading Atlantis's computer system before reviving Prince David and the others, giving us full control over the ship's systems. With the upgrades complete, Neptune ensures a smoother and more controlled awakening process for the crew." I have mixed emotions, sad for the ones in stasis, but excited to meet them as the sun sets with the computer system upgrade complete.

Neptune, having successfully infiltrated Atlantis's computer system, activated the revival sequence. The ship's medical bay came back online, as the cryosleep pods began to thaw, gradually reviving the living occupants. "This will take hours," Thor remarked, after expressing gratitude to Neptune for the upgrades.

"You're most welcome, Thor." Neptune smiled.

"Welcome to the 23rd century!" I exclaimed. We left him to oversee the Atlantians while we swam back to shore, famished, we gathered around the dinner table. The staff hastened to serve us, as we engaged in a lively discussion about our extraordinary experiences and the thrilling prospects that lay ahead.

"What should we do with those who didn't make it?" I asked not knowing their burial protocol.

"Neptune?"  I waited.

"After reviewing the ship logs, I have discovered that the standard procedure is to return the deceased to their home planet in a cargo pod on autopilot," Neptune replied.

"Alright, let's prepare them for their return to their homeworld. Add some Island flowers to their chambers as a symbol of our respect and compassion. Whoever receives them will know we treated them with love." I said, "and, delete all logs referencing our world and location, to avoid any potential...unwelcome visitors."

 "Initiating log edits now," Neptune replied.

 I mindlinked with our kingdom, asking each family to create a special reef in their honor. Thor had mentioned that flowers were a rare treasure on their homeworld, so this will be a meaningful gesture."

After we ate, and I fed my twins, we all gathered to return to Atlantis, each family from my kingdom, swam with us carrying a reef covered with a clear waterproof seal, a grand funeral procession fit for Royalty. Their chambers were opened just long enough to place the reefs and quickly closed so they didn't thaw, as we completed the task.

Prince David and the others slowly started to stir, groggily opening their eyes to a familiar sight - the sleek, interior of Atlantis.

As they regain consciousness, Neptune briefs them on their situation. "Welcome back, crew. you've been asleep for centuries. It is the 23rd century now. and you have a new Queen and Crew, Queen Raven Delacroix, and her King Niklaus with her with King Abatrose ruling under him.

All three of us stepped forward, and I carefully helped David to sit up. I ordered for him to have a medical scan and I gave him some water to drink, "Drink it slow my prince" I helped him as he tried to gulp down the water. We have plenty. He sat up slowly dizzy at first. He tried to speak his voice was raspy, "My Grandmother?" he asked.

"I'm sorry, she didn't make it." I looked over at the massive amount of pods with reefs. Her pod was closest to us.  He wanted to see her so we helped him take his first steps, his legs were wobbly at first but then he gained control.  Tears flowed down his cheeks as he gazed at her, she was beautiful her crown adorned her head with great glory. As his hand touched the glass cover of her pod.

He spoke some words we had never heard before and then turned to me and kissed my hand with a slow bow, "Thank you, My Queen, you have given them great honor!"

I helped him to sit back down. We talked for a long time, and then he felt strong enough to show us his quarters on the ship. It was filled with wonders, he had collected from different worlds. I slowly walked around while Niklaus and Abatrose talked with him. I admired every item every treasure.

"DON'T TOUCH THAT ONE!" he ran to me wrapping his arms around me, That's Rivi! my sea Dragon. He touched the pod and it became clear, so we could see inside. She was the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen, with purple, blue, and pink colored iridescent scales and a long flowing tail. She looked like a small dragon but with long seaweed-like fins and four legs,  sharp claws, and fangs.

 "If she doesn't know you, she can be deadly!." he explained. Her Venum is lethal, and she'd bust through that glass to protect me." he explained, his arms still around me as I felt my body being flooded with love, and an instant connection!