Hail Atlantis, The Beginning

By Joseph Pass

Forty-thousand years ago our race lived on what we now call Mars. An asteroid named Atlantis brought a fiery end to that civilization. Thanks to an ominous warning from a spirit child named Kaylise, we had a fifteen year warning before our extermination. 'The Beginning' shows us the struggles our ancestors endured to ensure our survival. Book Two to follow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joseph Pass
• Release date: Jan 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311119827

Joseph Pass

Joseph Pass lives a happy life with his wife in East Texas. He and his wife spend a lot of time enjoying their nine grown children.

Book preview

Helios rises above the tree tops and kisses the forest of Thasos awake from its nighttime slumber. And like a maestro waving his wand, Helios’ warming glow pushes a breeze ahead of it moving the leaves of the trees to create the background sound for the symphony that is about to start.

The tempo of my hair, blowing freely about my face, is soon accompanied by the hopeful chorus of birds soaring high above my lofty perch. Shortly, I find my foot tapping on the red-stone surface of the El's platform area to the quick beat nature has provided on this beautiful spring morning.

My peaceful thoughts are only momentarily disturbed by the sight of the blue shuttle bus I see coming up the lane. I nearly laugh when the bus seems to sway along with the beat as it follows the persuasive motions of the swaying tree tops. 'Come here, my friend. Come rest in this place of eternal happiness I have created for you', the trees seem to be saying. And the shuttle dutifully obliges by rounding the corner before stopping four meters below me.

I feel the breeze pick-up ever so slightly as a prelude to the door of the bus opening and its contents of children spilling merrily out onto the parking lot.

The small army of students, in no particular order, makes its way to the stair at the base of the El entrance. I watch as they wait in eager anticipation of what comes next. Then I think to myself, 'How odd? Shouldn't someone be there to greet the children?’

My heart skips a beat when I realize I am the one that is supposed to greet them.

I rush down the red-stone stairway so quickly, I have to do a little hop to keep from stumbling off the last step and face first onto the pavement. As I regain my footing, I look up to see the astonished look on the faces of all the children. I force a smile and say, Hello.

As I pull my tan pants around to their proper place on my waist, the all too familiar queasiness returns to my abdomen. My voice makes a dry cackle as I introduce myself, My name is Kiara. I look around for my water bottle and realize I left it on the rail of the El platform.

I curse myself for being so nervous. I would have thought by now, I would be more comfortable addressing crowds. But I am not, so to calm myself I pull my cheat sheet out of my pocket and give it a long look. Everything is there, in proper order. I can do this, I mutter under my breath. Then I say it again, with conviction, I can do this.

Gratefully, the queasiness begins to fade and is replaced by the confidence I usually display as the researcher I am supposed to be. I take a long slow breath and greet my charges.

Good morning, boys and girls. Welcome to the Observatory on the Mount. I look around at all the freshly scrubbed faces anxiously looking back at me.

Did you have a nice trip from Athens? Everyone nods but no one says anything.

Okay, good. I clasp my hands together and notice how damp they are from sweat. I dry them on my freshly pressed pants and introduce myself, My name is Kiara.

Everyone is looking at me. I move my gaze to the bus and continue, Welcome to The Observatory on the Mount.

One of the students correctly observes, You already said that.

I feel my face turn a deep red as my pulse jumps up a speed or two. Then, I realize I am glaring at the kid who had the ill manners to verbally notice my error.

Finally, I pry my eyes from his and continue by reading the notes on my cheat sheet, I am an intern here at the observatory. It is my first year.

To relax a little, I begin slowly walking back and forth in front of the group.

I start to feel more in control and keep going, A major part of my responsibilities as a first year intern, is to conduct the base portion of your tour.

I pause and ask, Have any of you been to this observatory before?

All of their heads shake no in perfect unison.

That's good! I say with forced enthusiasm, Because, if one of you had been here before, I would have asked you to conduct the tour.

My impromptu attempt at humor pays off with some laughter. I'm starting to loosen up a bit and so are they.

I know you have been studying this observatory in your class room for the past few days. I stop and try to look each child in the face, Would one of you like to tell us a little of what you already know about this place?

I don't really expect any volunteers, but one of the students surprise me with their enthusiastic hand waving.

As I crane my neck to see who my volunteer is, I am a little shocked to see it is a blond haired girl. My immediate reaction is how strange it is that a parent would allow a girl so young to color her hair. Blond hair is usually reserved for a woman looking for attention from suitors, not a girl as young as she.

I shake my head slightly as I address her, Yes, ma’am.

Oh, thank you! She bubbles. I can't help but notice the puzzled looks on the faces of some of her classmates. By the way they are murmuring to one another, it seems to me she is something of a mystery to them.

As I watch her make her way to the front of the group I ask her, What's your name, sweetie?

She looks around at her peers as she responds, I am called Kaylise.

Okay, Kaylise. I point to a spot next to me, Why don't you come up here and tell us what you know about this place?

I watch her smile broadly as she answers in a smug tone, Gladly.

She walks with a boldness I have never seen in such a young person. Yet, she seems to be so light and soft. I find myself wanting to know this child.

Though she seems to be extremely confident, I feel the need to offer her a more relaxing post, If it would make you more comfortable, you could move over to the steps and sit down.

Still smiling, she looks steadily up at me. Her soft blond bangs slightly part over her eyes. Through those tresses, I am startled to see a hint of blue.

A sudden gust of wind blows her hair away from her face. Then, for a full second, I can see her eyes.

Never have my senses felt so accosted. The size of her eyes is extremely disproportionate to her otherwise normal size face. They don't seem to bulge out, they are just large. Where there should be a distinct separation between her eyes and eyebrows, this little girl’s eyes seem to start at the eyebrows and span all the way to her cheeks. The corneas are colored a deep powdery blue and are so large there is barely a hint of white encircling them.

Her gaze never wavers as I step back, unsure of what my next move should be. The girl is pretty. She has a radiant smile that is bordered by deep, neatly placed dimples. Her blond hair is beautifully contrasted by her bronze colored skin. And her nose, though a bit slim between her eyes, is shaped perfectly for her face.

I cannot keep from staring at her eyes.

I have heard stories about people with eyes like hers. Strange stories about how such blue eyed people carry ancient souls inside their bodies. Souls that peer out of those eyes and coerce the deepest, darkest secrets from any that dare to stare too long in them.

Suddenly the feeling of standing naked in front of an awesome power comes over me. I find myself silently pleading, Please don't look. Please don't tell me what you see.

Kaylise moves closer to me and I watch intently as she lays her soft hand aside my cheek. In that instant a powerful feeling of love and understanding comes over me. I look around and see a veil of pure white envelope the child and myself.

I start to ask, Are you Gal…

Softly, she places a finger over my mouth and nods. Then with a smile as pure as any as I have ever seen, she moves her mouth close to my ear and whispers, Do not fear us. We are here for you.

Then she kisses my cheek before ending the spell.

As she slowly moves her hand away, my senses are dominated by a newly created bond with this child. I feel full of love and compassion for Kaylise. I feel like she is the master of my body and my mind.

As she turns to the other children, I find myself so weak I have to sit down. I stumble back to the bottom of the stairway and take a seat on the bottom step.

I find myself smiling as she goes from child to child; whispering those same reassuring words to each one. Then I almost cry with elation as I see the understanding come over each child’s face.

When she has finished, she comes back to where I am sitting. She offers me her hand, which I gingerly take. And gently pulls me up to her.

Her eyes gleam softly to me as she asks, Would you like me to begin the story?

I had almost forgotten about the observatory and the tour. It all seems so trivial now. But I manage to nod my head to her and she begins.

Now, she looks again at all of his, let me tell the story of this incredible masterpiece. And let all of you understand.

The children sit on the pavement of the parking lot and Kaylise begins her history lesson.

The Observatory on the Mount is the brain child of Ptolemy, our first Imperial Astronomer; and our own Emperor, Yoshimotto, who was only a Senator at the time.

Ptolemy had a concern that the human race was vulnerable to the impact of a large yet unknown, asteroid.

"His concern was well founded. After all, it had only been five hundred and twenty-eight years ago that an asteroid did nearly wipe humanity off the face of the planet.

Ptolemy and Yoshimotto devised a plan. A plan that was so far reaching and so radical no one ever expected it to become a reality.

The story she is telling is one that is well-known, yet, I am hearing it as if for the first time. The way she speaks makes our language sound far different than any on Earth, yet I can easily understand it.

I get up from the steps so I can hear more clearly. I watch the other students who at first feared her and are now also being drawn in by her lilting voice.

I have heard speeches from the most compelling orators of all time; speeches that have driven legions to do the bidding of the speakers. Yet, this child's oratory skills are at a level that far exceeds those of all the great speakers.

In a very short span of time, she has not only captured the spirit of the tale, but she has captured the souls of her listeners.

Then I wonder to myself if everyone present has the same feeling I now have; where I had first feared this child, now I would die for her.

...before all the nations of the world finally got serious about preparing for another extraterrestrial threat. They all agreed to give up some of their autonomy and create a world government.

This new world government's first charter was to find a way to give Earth an early warning of any near-earth asteroids.

The Egyptian government was the first to donate a small mountain top and some resources so the new government could build a relatively small and technologically inept observatory.

Ptolemy was furious. He knew we could do better. And though he fought hard for a better observatory at a better location, his voice of experience fell to deaf ears.

In fact, his lack of tact and his inability to out-politic the more masterful Egyptian politicians, placed Ptolemy far outside the loop in the way the observatory was run.

Distraught, but careful to keep as close an eye as he could on the observatory, Ptolemy waited.

It wasn't until the spring of the year five hundred and ten that events unfolded to give Ptolemy his first real shot at getting his dream observatory.

The Egyptians gave the world notice an asteroid had been detected that was destined to wreak mass destruction on Earth. In another now obvious blunder, the world government gave the Egyptians a five hundred million dollar grant to find a way to protect our race.

Because it was assumed we had no time to counter the asteroid before it hit, the Egyptians decided an earth bound defense would better suit the situation.

A wry smile comes across her face, A shelter was built, beneath the Gri Mountains of Egypt that would house one hundred forty-four thousand people.

There were enough supplies stored in that shelter to keep those people alive for an estimated five years.

Then the world waited and nothing happened.

"Ptolemy finally convinced the world body to allow him to look at the Egyptian's data.

At this point, Kaylise masterfully pauses and asks the group, Do you know what Ptolemy discovered?

Before anyone can respond, she answers her own question, He discovered that the asteroid that was allegedly going to impact us wasn't even coming toward us. In fact, that asteroid had passed us and was already seventy-five thousand kilometers away and still moving away when it was first discovered by the Egyptians.

So, Now she steps back away from the base of the El and in a theatrical manner throws both of her arms wide as she says, This observatory became a reality.

When she looks back at me for my approval, I quickly drop my head so as not to see her eyes. Then I carefully watch her as she retakes her place with the rest of the students.

Surprisingly, she resumes her place as a normal child and the other students accept her as such.

Well, I cannot hide my awe as I suggest, let's give Kaylise a big hand for such an excellent history lesson. My enthusiastic clapping is met with an equally enthusiastic applause from the other students. Kaylise beams at the approving attention.

It takes me a moment to gather my thoughts for the start of the actual tour. Remarkably, the students are waiting patiently for any direction.

Okay, I finally get restarted, if you will all follow me up the stairway we can begin the tour.

As I make my way deliberately up the stairs, I feel a twinge of sorrow for poor Kaylise.

How hard it must be for her to have a normal childhood. How she must be taunted or feared by not only her peers, but from adults alike.

I look back to see if she is having any problem making the ascent. She seems to be doing okay. In fact, the other children are taking turns holding her hand. Making sure their new found friend has no problem negotiating each step.

I decide to wait at the top of the stairs for her. As I wait, I look down and see she is looking up at me. When I don't turn my head away, I see her smile radiantly. I find it curious to me that I am smiling back.

Nervously, I clinch my hands until she finally reaches my side. At which point, she takes my hand in hers and walks with me to the next stop on the tour.

Something about that action chases my remaining fears away. I take my hand from hers and give her a gentle hug as I prepare for my next talk.

Boys and girls, you are standing on the base of the greatest achievement of modern man. The stones from which this structure was built are exactly three meters to the side. There were fifteen thousand two hundred and fourteen of these stones used to create this monument. Each stone fits so exactly, that not one kilogram of mortar was used to fill any space.

Some of the children look down at some of the joints just to be sure I am speaking the truth.

I turn to the door of the El, Now, if you'll all turn your attention to the El entrance.

I wait for all of them to follow my direction, I would like for you to look to the top of the mountain. Right above the peak of Mount Olympus you should be able to see a tiny speck of the gleaming dome of the Observatory.

I hear a few of the expected Ohhs and Awwhs. I then ask, Would any one like to guess how far it is from where we now stand to the observatory?

A gazillion kilometers, one child shouts out. I see the others nodding in agreement.

I repeat the incredible guess, A gazillion kilometers.

At least that far, says another child excitedly.

Well, I am having a hard time keeping my composure, A gazillion is a bit far.

I hope you won't be too terribly disappointed to know that it is only twenty one kilometers to the Observatory by El. I let that number settle for just a moment then I add, It is only seventeen kilometers from here to downtown Athens.

That puts some perspective on the distance all of these kids can relate too, because they have just endured the trip from Athens to here.

One child meekly raises his hand. I point to him, Yes sir, you have a question?

Yes ma’am. He clears his throat a little to settle down, How long is it going to take us to get to the Observatory?

I shake my head a little and smile, It will only take about four minutes to get from this platform, I point up the mountain and watch as the children collectively follow the motion of my arm, All the way to the Observatory.

I continue with, And trust me, the view from up there will dazzle you!

But, before we take that trip, there are a few things I want to show you about the platform area. I walk over to a place where the deck meets the mountain, If you will look at the natural rock outcroppings, you will notice the seamless way the chiseled stones seem to flow out of the mountain.

This was done to symbolize man’s harmonious relationship with nature. That symbolism is expertly crafted throughout the Observatory’s complex.

As some of you may know, Mount Olympus is a mildly active volcano.

There are many wondrous technological achievements at work here to keep the Observatory complex from laying victim to possible earthquakes. It would take considerably more time than we have and more expertise than I have to explain them all to you. But one I find particularly fascinating is the way we have harnessed the steam generated by the volcano to create all the electrical needs for this complex as well as some of the electricity for Athens and many cities on the Egyptian side of the mountain.

Now, I pause for effect, As you may know, for more than fifteen years, everything manufactured or shaped by human hands has DeBond embedded in its molecular structure.

I find my hand rubbing the cool stone of the El entrance, The Government wants this place to stand as an eternal reminder of man’s ability. So, by an act devoted exclusively to this place, DeBond has not been embedded in any part of this complex.

A little girl asks in near disbelief, The Observatory never has to be fed?

I laugh at her exaggerated expression as I answer, No ma’am. If there should come a time when we humans no longer traverse this beautiful planet, we will never have to worry about counteracting the effects of DeBond on this place.

I hear a collective Wow! as the importance of what has just been revealed to them sinks in.

Another little girl says in a tone of comical excitement, My Dad forgot to have my dresser fed one time. And we didn't even know until one of the legs just crumbled away. Her eyes get real wide, The dresser fell over while I was sleeping. It scared me to death!

I laugh again as I stammer out, What did you do?

We took it outside and just let it disappear! She now has a sad look on her face, I cried because I didn't know what to do with my clothes. But Daddy bought me a new dresser and promised he would keep it fed.

I'm sure he did. I turn my attention to the other children, At least here, on this rock deck and the foundation for the Observatory; even the El, the Observatory itself and all the other manufactured materials; all of it has been built without DeBond in its molecular makeup.

As I walk to the El entrance I stop and point to a plaque, Even this plaque was manufactured without DeBond.

I look around at the group and ask, Would one of you like to volunteer and read us the inscription on the plaque?

No one steps forward to volunteer so I appoint someone. You, I point to one of the boys, Would you like to read the inscription?

Sheepishly, the boy comes forward and in a halting voice reads, The Observatory on the Mount, Built by the hands of a few humans, For the benefit of all Humanity.

Then I add, Completed in AD five twenty-one.

It's only seven years old! One student observes.

Yes, I nod my head slowly, I was slightly younger than you when the telescope saw first light.

After a brief pause I continue speaking, I think it is time for us to take the El up for your next part of the tour.

It takes me a minute or two to get everyone situated. I try to make sure all the children are holding firmly to the handrails. Even with my insistence, there are a few that chose to stand loose and just barely grip the rail.

Before I push the green button to begin our ascent, I motion for Kaylise to stand next to me. Hold on tight, Kaylise. This thing takes off like a rocket.

When I see she has a tight grip, I hit the big green button. The El immediately lurches forward and hits top speed in about eight seconds. The children that were half-heartedly holding on fall back a half step and re-grab the rail with a death grip.

By the time we reach the Observatory, I am certain some of the students have not even taken a breath. As the door slides open I hear several gasps as they stumble out to the lobby.

I walk with them into the main lobby and turn to them, Here's where I leave you.

Up on the balcony, overlooking the lobby, I see Chrystal making her way to the spiral staircase.

I direct the children's attention to her, Chrystal will be conducting the next portion of your tour.

I kneel down in front of Kaylise and whisper to her as I hand her my card, Here's my phone number. If you ever need someone to talk to... I look into her eyes without any fear, Just, call me. Okay?

She smiles broadly and with a tone of certainty tells me, I will.

It takes me a second to break my gaze from her. Then I get up and head back to the El.

Before I let the doors close behind me, I take one last look at Kaylise. Then, just as her image is hidden from my view, I wave 'bye' and start back down the mountain.

Chapter 2

Just as I am about to descend the stairs to meet my new charges, my phone beeps an alarming three tone beep. Hastily, I look to see who requires my immediate attention.

'Kiara' is the name I see on the small screen. I bite my lip, shake my head and strongly consider not answering her urgent call.

I try to recall if she has ever had a real emergency since I hired her. The answer is 'no'. I also try to remember how many 'urgent' calls Kiara has made to me. I cannot.

Yet I know, I must answer her call. Who knows? This may be an actual alarm.

Yes, Kiara, I reply in a resigned voice.

Listen, Chrystal, she replies in her too familiar, nervous voice.

I quickly ask her, Is the El broken again?

No, I... she as quickly replies.

Have you felt another tremor? I calmly ask.

Frustrated, she responds with, No, no tremor. I...

Still staying calm, I ask, Did you leave something in the lobby again?

Chrystal, she yells back, let me talk!

I allow a short silence before I say, I'm waiting.

Okay, now listen. I can hear her suck in some air. One of the kids you have up there is going to need some special attention.

I look down at the children, Why? I don't see any one in a wheel chair or limping around with a cast.

She responds with, It's the girl with blond hair and long bangs. Can you see her?

Again I look down at the students and easily spot the one she is talking about, I don't see anything wrong with her. I stare a little harder, just to be sure. Then I ask, What's her disability?

She's not that way, Chrystal. There is a brief pause before she continues, She has blond hair and blue eyes. Again she pauses, and then blurts, I think she's Galatian.

This is your emergency? I move the phone to my other ear so I can gesture with my right hand, You believe one of those children is a mythical creature?

Yes! I can almost see Kiara biting her lower lip like she always does when she gets excited, I am almost certain she is.

Calmly, I reply, Kiara, did you tell that little girl you think she's Galatian?

It takes a moment for her to reply. Finally I hear, No, I, uhm... don't think I did.

Good! I respond. I take a short breath, then I continue, After we get this group through, let's you and I meet in my office.

She hastily responds, But I didn't...

I need to get with the group. You just make sure you are in my office in an hour and a half. I calmly command.

Kiara sounds a little desperate as she responds, Just give Kaylise a little extra attention. Will ya? Please?

I start my way down the spiral staircase as I reply, I'll treat her the same as I treat the rest. Then I add in a somewhat harsh tone, And don't call me again unless you have a real emergency!

With that I turn off my phone.

I make the bottom of the stairway just as one kid is getting ready to take a peek inside a door marked 'Authorized Personal Only'.

Very loudly I proclaim, Listen up everyone! When I see I have everyone's attention, I continue, If you will all gather around me I will get you started on the next part of your tour.

I take a deep breath, clear my mind and begin the formalities, Good morning boys and girls.

Good morning. Some of them respond.

I smile broadly and introduce myself, My name is Chrystal Villanic. I am the assistant manager here at The Observatory on the Mount.

A few of the kids are looking back at the El door, a little apprehensively.

I trust your visit with Kiara went well? I ask.

Most of them nod their heads.

And, did you have a nice trip up the mountain? I no sooner get that question out when all hell breaks loose.

Everyone starts talking at once. I