Irregulars: After Atlantis, #9

By K.M. Carroll

Three lost isles to protect Atlantis ...

 

James Chase needs magic from seven elements in order to deploy the Lighthouse island from the pocket dimension where it was built. However, the element of Air is missing, its elemental long dead.

 

Chase turns to healer Jayesh Khatri, who used to work with magic smugglers to illegally track shard carriers. Jayesh joins forces with Nell and Max, a couple of streetwise teenagers struggling to straighten out their lives. They have questions about the fate of Omniscient, the dead ringleader of the smugglers, questions that Jayesh doesn't dare answer. As they work together to track down the person carrying the last fragment of air magic, Nell and Max press their healer for the truth, dangerous though it may be.

 

An encounter with the fanatical Cult of the Dawn sends the investigation into a tail spin. Can Jayesh win the trust of Nell and Max, or will the Emperor of Atlantis and his cult capture the last remaining Aspect of Air?

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.M. Carroll
• Release date: Feb 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215253601

Book preview

Chapter 1: A need for air

Jayesh was building something.

Kari and Jayesh each had day jobs, and their days off didn't always overlap. Being newly married, they were anxious to see more of each other than they did, and when one was home alone on the Sanctuary island, they pined for their spouse.

At first, Kari thought that the stacks of lumber and shiny new toolbox were just her husband's coping mechanism. But when she asked him about it, he changed the subject.

I'm going to figure out what you're building, she said with a laugh. See if I don't.

They were walking on the beach at the time, hand in hand, barefoot and with their pants rolled up. The sea washed in and cooled their ankles every so often, and overhead, a seagull called. It was early spring, and already the sunlight was warmer and lingering longer.

Kari studied her husband. He was of Indian descent with latte-colored skin, and wavy black hair he was always trying to style into spikes. He had only turned twenty-two that spring, and despite his firm jaw, there was still a soft youthfulness around his mouth and eyes. He was a healer, and his innate gentleness showed in his eyes.

He met her gaze, laughing himself. I don't know whether to keep it a surprise or ask for your help. I'm ever so slightly over-committed.

I can swing a hammer with the best of them, said Kari.

It's not that, he said. Oh ... I'll just show you and you'll see what I'm up against. He tugged her across the beach and up the low bluffs into the thin coastal woods. Kari went with him, half-dancing with excitement.

She was as fair as he was dark, with fox-brown hair that streamed behind her in the wind. Only twenty-three, she sometimes thought that she was too young to be married to the man of her dreams. But then, why wait? She'd watched him suffer over her until his island nearly died with him, and now she was making it up to him every day.

I don't actually know if you're interested in something like this, Jayesh said as they entered the shade beneath the trees. And, well, I've wanted to try building something really ambitious for a while now. I found some plans online. Then I spent weeks hunting for the right tree. It had to be the right height, with a straight trunk–

They came to a single beech tree standing alone among its fellows amid a grassy clearing. A pile of lumber stood nearby, neatly stacked according to size. The beginnings of a staircase had taken shape in a spiral around the tree's trunk, with a few planks nailed to the upper boughs where the treehouse platform would be.

A treehouse! Kari squealed, bouncing up and down. You're building a treehouse?

Jayesh rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed at her enthusiasm. Um ... yeah. I wanted to surprise you, but ... it's not coming together as fast as I had hoped.

I'll help! Kari threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek. He smiled and blushed a little. Then she climbed the staircase as far as it had gone. A few scraps of wood had been nailed to the trunk as a makeshift ladder. She climbed these and perched on the treehouse frame in the tree's fork.

It's not much yet, Jayesh said, climbing after her. He scaled the ladder and arrived on the treehouse frame. The main platform will circle the trunk, and I want to build an additional shelter out this way. I might have to plant posts for support. What do you think?

I think you need more help, said Kari, sitting on a branch and swinging her feet. I'll help as much as I can, but between both of our jobs and whatever super work I can squeeze in, there's not a lot of time.

I know, Jayesh said mournfully. Like I said, maybe I over-committed a bit. And we have a meeting with James Chase and the others tonight.

Kari groaned. Oh, he wants me to feed magic into that machine on his island. I can't beg off this time.

For the record, it's not a big deal, said Jayesh, leaning on a higher branch. I already fed my fire magic into it. He only needs one of every type.

I know, Kari said, drawing the word into a moan. But he wants water magic. And I barely know how to use water magic yet! Why couldn't he ask for lightning? I know lightning.

Most people developed a shard of magic inside them around the age of ten. However, a second shard could be granted directly by an elemental, and these were known as the Aspect or Divine shards. Jayesh's birth shard was one of healing, and he also carried a shard from Fith, the elemental of fire. Kari had only a few months before been granted a shard from Tyrannith, water elemental and lord of the sea. Alongside her lightning shard, it could add a formidable boost to her powers–if she could figure out how to use it.

You know how pathetic my control still is, Kari said, giving Jayesh a soulful look. I can barely coax a drop of water into a cup. And I've been practicing!

Jayesh grinned ruefully and ducked his head. It's better than the first time I used my fire powers.

And that gas station bit the dust?

Yeah, that.

I took the heat for that, Kari said with a smug smile. Only black mark on my spotless record. My super insurance covered it but I had to take remedial training.

Jayesh spread both hands placatingly. I love you?

Kari rose to her feet and kissed him again. And I love you, you dangerous dweeb. Let's get down and you can show me the blueprints for this place.

They walked back to their little house, where Jayesh had stashed the blueprints in the back of a drawer. They sat at the kitchen table and examined the plans for a while. Kari's hands itched for a hammer and saw, but she had a duty to perform, no matter how much she would rather stay home and work on a treehouse with her best friend.

Jayesh checked his watch. Time to go. James said to drop by around five.

I hope he's doing dinner this time, Kari said, rising to her feet. We fed him last time he came over and he owes us.

I'll ask when we get there, Jayesh said. He leaned back in his chair and snapped his fingers. Suntala, where'd you get to?

The tiny dragon flitted in through an open window and landed on Jayesh's shoulder. He was a brilliant orange and about the size of a dove. Never far! he chirped, flexing his wings. He brushed Jayesh's face affectionately with them, but poked Jayesh in the eye and ruined the effect.

Jayesh was still squinting and blinking as they walked along the shore beyond the house a few minutes later. A short distance from the house, there lay a fragment of a ruin. At least, that's what Jayesh assumed it was. A piece of stone pavement had appeared one day with a single stone arch in the middle. A portal could open there leading to either of the other two Lost Isles of Atlantis.

Jayesh touched a metal plate in the pavement and a portal swirled open in the arch. He offered his arm to Kari. Shall we?

She took his arm with a smile. We shall!

They strolled through the portal together and emerged on the Lighthouse island, which resided in a pocket dimension similar to Sanctuary's. Here the portal arch opened into a grassy field with hills and trees all around. The Lighthouse itself towered on a nearby hilltop, a two-hundred foot edifice of stone with a light that swept in endless circles. It was evening here, too, with a vast sea breeze that bent the blue-green grass and ruffled their hair. While Sanctuary felt like home, the Lighthouse was no less welcoming. Its magic tingled faintly in their feet and spread a feeling of familiarity through them.

Kari drew a deep breath. I haven't been here in ages.

Me neither. Jayesh nodded to a knot of people gathered at the foot of the Lighthouse. Looks like a party's going on.

Why so many people? Kari murmured as they climbed the hill. Do they all have to watch me be bad at water magic?

Jayesh peered at them. I want to say it's the who's who of people with Aspect shards. I don't know them all, though. He gazed across the hills to the island's central mountains rather than at the strangers. Kari laid a comforting hand on his arm. Her husband never expected kindness from anyone, and tended to withdraw rather than reach out.

At this point, James Chase emerged from the crowd and trotted down the hill to meet them. There you guys are! Come on, come on! Didn't forget to pack your magic, did you? He laughed, a rolling, boisterous laugh. Chase was a head taller than Jayesh, a stocky redhead who moved with the grace of a dancer. He sported a goatee that accentuated his chin and made him look older than his twenty-three years.

He noticed them looking and ran his fingers over his whiskers. You like it? I'm trying a beard as part of my HeroTube persona.

Makes you look like a pirate, Kari remarked.

Chase beamed as if she had paid him the highest compliment. Thank you! It's never leaving my face now.

Jayesh looked up and grinned. Just don't pair it with mutton chops. Your face isn't right for it.

I still have my pride, said Chase, pretending to be offended. He punched Jayesh lightly in the shoulder and laughed. Jayesh glanced at Kari and relaxed a little. Chase was a natural icebreaker.

They reached the group at the foot of the Lighthouse. Here on the hilltop stood a charcoal grill, its white coals flickering with faint blue flames. A pretty girl with cat ears and a tail was busy turning burgers and hotdogs. Jayesh and Kari eyed this with approval.

Okay! Chase said, clapping his hands together and rubbing them. Jay and Kari are here! That's fire and water aspects. I've got the space aspect, as you may have already guessed. This drew a general laugh. Chase routinely opened portals to enable easy travel for most of them.

Over here is Tane, gravity aspect, said Chase, clapping the shoulder of a towering black man with his hair in dreadlocks. Tane stood with a soda in one hand, watching the grill and not saying much. He nodded to everyone politely.

And presenting my sister Michelle, earth aspect! Chase said, throwing up both arms as if introducing a unicorn.

A redheaded girl stood there with a paper plate loaded with chips and dip. She looked up, arching an eyebrow. Really, James? You're telling them like that?

Might as well break the news with style, Chase said, grinning. And last but not least–

A handsome young man with medium brown-skin like Jayesh's backed away a few steps. James, no, don't–

And Indalrion Tay, Chase began, throwing an arm around Indal's neck and dragging him into the group. He's the proud owner of–

Indal broke free and stepped away, adjusting his collar. Time aspect, he said, glaring around. And if any of you breathe a word about it, I'll go back in time and make you forget.

Chase snorted. You can't do that.

Indal pointed at him. I'll learn! And you're first on the list!

Tane stepped forward and cleared his throat. His rich baritone voice cut through the squabble. Chase was just trying to make sure we're all on the same page. Three shards of force magic, three shards of elemental magic. Right?

The group nodded.

Still not sure why you needed to know I have earth, Michelle muttered.

All of you except Kari have donated magic to the disc in the Lighthouse, Chase went on. She'll donate hers in a minute. I need one of every element to deploy this island from the pocket dimension and move it to Earth. So the question remains: who has the Aspect of Air?

Silence. Everyone exchanged glances.

Tane spoke again. The air elemental was killed in the Calamity that sank Atlantis. There hasn't been an air aspect in centuries.

That's an interesting point, said a woman with long curly blond hair. She stood braced against the wall of the Lighthouse, resting her prosthetic leg. I'm Dawnlight, or Illianna to my friends. I analyze superheroes, but I also study Atlantis. Elementals can't really be killed, only shattered. I believe that when Narua, the air elemental, was killed in battle, she split into hundreds, perhaps thousands of lesser elementals. The creatures in Atlantis that are known as blinks. Now, a single blink does not possess enough power to share a shard with anyone. But I learned a surprising piece of information from a mutual friend that may be of interest to you all. Illianna looked around, meeting every eye. Thirty years ago, a secret organization performed highly illegal experiments on human beings in Atlantis. The project collapsed and the survivors escaped. But their children possessed strange powers and characteristics, strange even for the sharded. I found a record of an individual who had been given a synthetic aspect shard. Specifically, the air element.

What? Chase exclaimed, even as the group murmured in surprise. How did you even find out about this?

Cirrus Markone is one of the few original survivors, said Illianna. She nodded to Tane. As part of your team, you put me in contact with him, for which I thank you. With his help, we tracked this individual from Atlantis to Florida. She married and bore three children, but she died ten years ago. However, one of her children may have inherited this synthetic shard. They live near me in Arizona. All we have to do is track them down and test their powers.

Great! James exclaimed. What are their names?

That's where I'm having trouble, said Illianna. Their father is in the Air Force and keeps his family off the internet. I have a couple of potential names, and I figured that my intrepid friends could make short work of interviewing candidates.

Everyone nodded and murmured. But Jayesh cleared his throat. How are we to tell what shard they have? Sometimes a secondary shard isn't obvious at all. They may not even know they have one.

I can! Suntala chirped, fluttering his wings on Jayesh's shoulder. I can always tell what shards people have!

Aside from him, said Jayesh.

The group looked at each other. Rent a shard scanner? Michelle said. Sometimes the police let supers use them.

Yeah, in Atlantis, said Tane. It's a little different in the States.

Usually only law enforcement use them on the street, said Indal. There's a law about not scanning someone without their consent. It's part of HIPPA.

Jayesh nodded emphatically. His day job as a hospital healer put him in daily contact with the legal entanglements around shard powers.

You could try just asking people, Xironi said from her spot at the grill. She flipped burger patties onto a plate. Sometimes people will talk your ear off about their powers.

And sometimes they're like Jayesh and walk around like a clam inside an iron box under the cone of silence, Chase retorted. He turned to Jayesh. No offense.

None taken, said Jayesh with a grin.

Suntala jumped up on Jayesh's hair and sat there like an orange bat, his wings open. Let me just look at people! he chirped. Walk by them and I can sense their shard for you!

One problem, short guy, Jayesh said, poking the tiny dragon in the ribs. You can't go far from me when we're not on one of the islands. And I have a day job. I can't just go wandering around Phoenix, hoping to bump into people.

There might be another way, said a new voice.

The group looked up to see a newcomer climbing the hill from the portal arch. This was Rodion Jackal, a tall, thin young man with prematurely white hair and a glass eye made of Atlanticite. He wore the rugged jeans and boots of his day job as a scout for the Atlantean Defense Force, patrolling the islands in search of troublemakers. He had also been the head of a shard smuggling ring in Phoenix and was presumed dead. He still didn't dare set foot stateside.

Do tell, said Chase, beckoning. Also you showed up just in time for food.

Great, said Rodion, as the group began helping themselves to burgers and hotdogs. Shard thieves have a device that lets them detect shards. It allows them to pick targets.

Everyone froze and stared at him.

You do know that's heckin' illegal? said Chase, raising an eyebrow.

Rodion shrugged. Since when do criminals care about the law?

Point.

Anyway, Rodion went on, "I ran a smuggling ring. I fenced shards from thieves and sold them to buyers. I wasn't responsible for the thieves themselves. However, some of my shard runners moonlighted as thieves for extra cash. The device they used was an Atlantean gadget, and it didn't work right. But some of the kids played with it enough that they learned to read it anyway. They became the most accurate thieves. If we could get in touch with them, we might see if one or two might be willing to turn white