A
few years ago, I participated in the Iron Writer's Challenge. For
those of you not familiar with it, five authors have five days to
write a short piece using four random elements. The elements for our
challenge were Atlantis, Flying Electric Bike, Dopplegangers and a
random black and white TV show. This is what I wrote.
Wil
sat on his flying electric bike, staring at the sapphire depths of
the ocean. Somewhere, beneath the surface, lay their objective.
Revving his engine, he prepared for the drop into the icy waters of
the abyssal plain.
The
rest of the platoon hovered around him, dressed in deep sea gear,
multiple dopplegangers,
waiting for the signal to jettison into oblivion.
It
was strange to be on Old Earth. Stranger still was the Galactic
Marine Corps' interest in the place. Virtually abandoned 200 years
ago, Earth had been reclaimed by nature. The few humans who remained
were savages, wielders of crude weapons, hardly worthy adversaries.
But something else lurked in the ocean—beings of half forgotten
legends.
How
they had come to the attention of the Marines, Wil didn't know. He
and his platoon were here to contain any possible threat before it
could advance.
A
voice crackled in his ear. "Ready, Sergeant?"
"Aye,
Captain."
"Commence
drop in five – four – three. . . ."
The
door opened at their feet and 32 cycles zipped down the ramp, making
the 2,000 foot drop to the surface. Hovering over the waves, they
were surrounded by force shields to keep the cold and pressure at
bay. Still experimental, the shields were supposed to be
impenetrable. Wil had his doubts.
Wil
accessed the battle plans, projecting them to his platoon. The dive
initiated on his command. Thirty-two cycles sliced into the water.
Down they dropped, rapidly nearing their goal. Less than a hundred
meters from their objective, Wil's electrical system glitched.
Instead of the detailed battle plans, he saw flickering images of an
old black and white TV show. His
visor was filled with a banner proclaiming "The Adventures of
Superpup". It was gone just as suddenly.
"You
see that, Sarge?"
"Sure
did." Wil tapped his helmet and the battle plans filled his
visor once more.
Something
else caught his attention, far below and to his left. Raising a hand,
he called a halt. Black as night, the water undulated around them.
Wil's raised fist was invisible, but the HALT message flashing inside
their helmets, was not.
"What
is that?" The same voice filled his ears.
"I'd
say, that's our goal, Corporal."
With
rapid movements, Wil and his corporal deployed the team. On his mark,
they descended, surrounding an opalescent dome. As the bikes
approached, a panel slid back and they were sucked in, unable to
stop. They bounced around a huge tube, the suction drawing them
inexorably forward.
A
few minutes later, they were set down on a platform. The water
drained away, leaving scattered puddles. They faced a 20 foot door,
which opened slowly. A giant of a man dressed in scintillating blue
robes walked out, smiling. His skin was indigo, his hair white. He
held a metallic staff in one hand. The top was decorated with a
single, multi-faceted diamond. He advanced to stand before Wil,
bowing.
"Welcome,
my friends. Welcome to Atlantis."
©
Dellani Oakes 2015
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