The entire island begins to come alive as automations begin to reactivate. Holograms project on every level, messages from the king of the island reminding everyone that it is that time again to reflect on everything that has happened since the last ascension. Citizens from every ring are about to be analyzed based on their actions which are constantly being monitored via their personal automated universal statistical educational device Armbands, or p.a.u.s.e.d, for short. The man atop the central tower has been searching for one individual for a long time now. Plotting how he would find them for years until he finally realized that the ascension program would be the best way to locate a single individual out of thousands. Below everyone becomes excited at the very idea of ascension. It hasn’t been done now for over two decades which to some was considered mysterious. To others however it has either been forgotten or just given up on since the final ascension all those years ago. There is a rumor that the ascension program was cancelled a few years after a citizen by the name of Yarkob Salazar leaped off the island to his death after failing many years in a row.
When several other Atlanteans began to fail the whole program was just put aside altogether. Other theories are that the king himself went mad and locked himself in the central tower after finding his wife in his private chamber one day with two of his most trusted noblemen. He had all three permanently banished to the outer ring and then cancelled the ascension program to prevent them all from ever being able to reach the inner rings ever again. Either way no one knows the truth, and people have just gone on living their lives ever since. The news of the ascension re-beginning is exciting for all as those who have lived on a single ring for their entire lives now have the chance to move forward. Those who live in the upper rings have always had the opportunity to visit the lower rings when they please so this is not a big deal for some. However the celebration is underway on the lowest ring. Crowds begin to form as many excited Atlanteans all compare their statistics to see who will be ascending and who wont. One Atlantean in particular, Lance Archimendes, looks up at the central tower as his statistics compile. a group of older Atlanteans boys approach lance as he daydreams about ascending. The leader of the boys laughs, “ you’re never going to get there! You’re just another Salazar.” The other boys laugh as he continues to ridicule lance, “ you might as well get used to living in trash, that’s all you’re gonna be, just another stinking Salazar!” The boy looks back at the group as all the others laugh wildly. Lance growls, and walks away.
The leader boy, Tim Idator shouts, “ you can’t just walk away from me! No one walks away from me.” At that very moment in the central tower the mysterious man watches the console locking in on the whole ordeal. Lance walks along the rail which guards the sewage drain so that people don’t fall in. The group of boys antagonize Tim, “ push him in!” One says. The others agree as a grin forms on Tim’s face from ear to ear. He sneaks up behind lance and grabs him under his underarms. Lance shouts, “ what are you doing?” As he kicks and squirms. Tim replies, “ putting you where you belong!” He lifts lance overhead and tosses him effortlessly over the guardrail. Lance yells as he plummets into the sewer. “ Help me, anyone!” Reaching up, however the flow of sewage is far too strong, the currant overtakes him. A nearby spectator witnessed the whole ordeal and yells at the group of boys, “ what do you think you are doing?” He shouts. Tim shouts, “ let’s get outta here!” The group quickly scrambles apart. The observer rushes to the rails to look down, it is however too late. Lance is siphoned into the drainage chute.
In the central tower the mysterious man leaves the console and grabs a large cloak hanging on a hook before the door to leave. He covers himself with the cloak and heads for the door to the elevator. Pressing the button with his middle finger a ring is revealed glimmering on his third finger, a moment later the doors open. Stepping inside the man presses the button for the main floor of the central ring. He places the hood over his head as the doors close. The elevator shoots down to the ground floor. The man exits in his cloak and makes his way towards the sector junction which connects each subsequent ring with the next. Passing through the fourth ring and into the third the cloaked man walks behind a man harvesting plump berries from a bush. There is a wisp of the wind as the man harvesting surprised says, “ huh?” As he looks around for the origin of the air disruption. He then replies to himself, “ must just be my imagination.” As he shrugs the idea off and returns to picking the berries before filling his basket.
Meanwhile, in the lower ring aqueduct lance emerges from the sewage floating towards the drain which leads to the outer discharge drain. He begins to panic flailing and swimming towards the side wall. A large object floats towards him, without hesitation he grabs onto it. Climbing up onto the object he is able to reach the side wall. Grabbing on with both hands he attempts to pull himself up onto the ledge. The object below snags onto his pants holding him down. With a groan he looks down to see what is holding onto him. Struggling to pull himself up he places his arms as far onto the ledge as they will go. He holds himself there for a moment to gather his thoughts. Thinking this may be the end, he’s going to end up like Yarkob Salazar. Tears begin to form in his eyes as he nearly gives up. He decides to give it one more attempt. Taking a deep breath he closes his eyes and gives it his all. Pushing himself as hard as he’d ever pushed himself he gets half way onto the edge. Plopping his upper body onto the ledge he begins to transfer his weight to the side. Rolling onto the ledge he makes it, even with the object attached to his leg. Just happy to be alive he begins to pant for air, which is probably not the best idea in the sewer. Looking down at the very object that saved him and nearly killed him he tries to find out just what it is. Turning it over he sees that it is a fifth ring automation. There are numbers that indicate which ring an automation belongs to, this is how he knows for sure.
“ What are you doing all the way down here?” Lance asks. Just then a voice calls out, “ hello?... Anyone down here?” Lance startled replies, “ yeah, there’s one person.” The man who’d witnessed the boys up top made his way down into the sewer to help. “ Are you alright?” He inquires. Lance nods, “ I'll be fine, if not for this thing I would probably be on my way down to the ocean right now!” The man looks down at the automation. “ Wow, do you know what that is?” He asks. Lance shakes his head, “ no. Should I?” The man smiles, “ that there is one of them royal program coders. Only a few of them were ever created. I bet there’s some really fascinating information contained in it’s memory.” Lance looks down, he points to the broken optical mechanism. “ It looks pretty beat up, do you really think there’s anything interesting in it?” The man nods, “ I'm sure there’s something this bot has that’s more than interesting. It probably has some holo-projections of the king himself in there.” Lance smiles widely. The man mentions, “ I don’t know if that boy throwing you down here is a good thing or a bad thing, but fortune smiles on you today. Do you need any help getting back out?” Lance shakes his head, grasping the battered bot he replies, “ no I think I’ll be fine. Thank you for coming down here for me.” The man nods, and answers, “ no problem young man. You take care now, and make sure to get washed up. Have you heard? The ascension is taking place, wouldn’t want to go to the ceremony smelling like a sewer now would you?” Lance laughs as he replies, “ no you’re right, that will be my first priority.” He picks the automation up and heads for the exit. The man follows behind ensuring lance makes it out.
Reaching the upper ground of the lower ring lance thanks the man again and then heads off towards the housing district of the lower ring. Reaching his home he enters through the automated door walking into the living room as the door closes behind him. He drops the automation off on the couch and makes his way to the bathroom where he takes off his clothing dropping it to the floor before stepping into the shower tube. A few moments later his mother, Milano enters their home. She smells the scent of sewer and looks for the origin. Making her way towards the bathroom she hears the shower. Spotting lance’s clothing in a pile on the floor, all soaked and wet she bends down to pick it up. She shouts, “ ugh, what is that smell? How many times have I told you to clean up after yourself?” Taking the clothing to the washing unit beside the kitchen. Dumping the clothes into the machine she closes the lid and activates the cleaning cycle. Lance finishes his shower, stepping out he covers himself in a robe hung on the wall in the bathroom. Stepping out of the bathroom he sees his mother standing there displeased. Smiling he says, “ hey, how are you doing?” Before continuing on his way to his room. His mother shouts loud enough for him to hear, “ I’m tired of cleaning up after you!” Lance grabs an outfit hanging in his closet, he then opens the front as he slides his finger down the center. Dropping the robe he steps into the outfit and closes the front sliding his finger back up. Leaving the robe on the floor he steps out, “ well did you hear?” He asks. Milano looks over blankly, “ hear what?” She replies. Lance sticks his index finger into his ear twisting it around as he tilts his head to get the water out. He says excitedly, “ the ascension program was initiated, so maybe just maybe you won’t have to clean up after me for much longer!” Milano becomes overcome with grief, she rubs her brow with left hand revealing her missing ring finger. She asks, “ why do you want to leave so badly?” Lance answers, “ well sometimes I just want to move forward, be better you know?” Milano looks over with a glum frown. Lance continues, “ I want to eventually make it to the central tower. I always imagine the amazing things that must take place there.” He says with excitement in his eyes. Milano exhales through her nose as her nostrils flair. Rolling her eyes she retorts, “ not much I’d imagine...” Lance stops for a moment, “ what is that supposed to mean? The king himself resides there, if that’s not much then I don’t know what is!” Milano laughs, “ what a joke, the king is no more than an Atlantean. So dull he picks who he wants to befriend. Must be tired of living all alone atop that tower, which is why he initiated the ascension program again. He just wants to have another play date with some schmucks that don’t know him that well.” Lance scowls, “ what are you talking about! You don’t know anything! You’ve lived here your entire life, what do you know about the king!” Milano taken back by her son’s comments raises her eyebrows as she looks to the side spotting the beat up automation.
“ What is that? And why is it on my furniture!?” She asks pointing to the battered machine on the couch. Lance turns to look. He rushes over to pick it up. “ Nothing, I found it and it’s mine.” He replies. Milano smells the scent again, “ where did you find it? What is that stench? Is that something you found also?” Lance takes the bot to his room as he replies, “ yes, I fell in to the aqueduct.” As he leaves the living room to his bedroom. Milano shouts, “ fell in? Was it those boys. Were they picking on you again?” Lance chooses not to respond. Milano says quietly, “ how are you ever going to move forward if you can’t even take care of yourself?” As she inspects the wet spot on the couch from the automation. Smelling it she groans, “ can’t have anything nice!” She calls for a mini bot to come clean the couch. There is a knocking at the door. Walking over Milano checks the monitor to see who it is. Noticing her old friend she opens the door to greet him. It is her friend haiku, from the third ring with a basket of jeeku berries under his arm. Inviting him in as the door shuts behind him. Lance can hear muffled voices outside of his room as he clears a spot on the table to place the bot. Dropping it face down He searches for his tool set to open the bot’s rear plate where it’s internal components are kept. Removing the screws that hold it in place he lifts the plate from it’s position and places it on the table next to the bot. Inside there are several wires, and components. Lance begins detaching the wires to remove the processor and memory drive. Gently he lifts the drive out as it is very delicate and the slightest trauma can damage it. As he gets it all the way out he is startled by a knock at the door he drops the drive onto the table. “ Lance.” His mother calls out. Aggravated he replies, “ Ah what is it?” She responds, “ Haiku is here, did you want to come out?” Lance rolls his eyes, “ I’m busy! I’ll be out later.” Milano commands, “ Don’t you back sass me and don’t you dare roll your eyes.” Lance surprised by his mother answers, “ Alright, I’ll be out later.”
Getting back to business he grabs the drive inspecting it for damage. There are a few dents, but not from him. Connecting a small wire to the drive and then into his armband he creates a connection to be able to control the device and project any usable information from his armband. Scrolling through the various dated information there is nothing that looks interesting. Lance opens a few files, projections of past events are projected. Lance smiles as he watches some of the images of the inner ring. There are many fancy looking Atlanteans there all interacting. Places lance had never seen before as he whispers to himself, “ so that’s what the inner ring looks like.” There is another projection of Poseidon himself and a few noblemen speaking of change and the future of the island. A man that looks out of place approaches from the rear. There is a panic as the noblemen call for the man to be removed. The projection cuts off abruptly. Lance has become hooked, he wants to find more. Looking at the files he notices there is a discrepancy in the numbering of the documents.
“ What is that about?” He asks himself. Wondering if perhaps several files were missing. Watching the last file in the memory lance sees the central ring vacant. As the bot hovers into the central tower and there is no light. “ What is this?” Lance asks. Images of the mysterious man standing over the console writing out code, with his long curly hair. “ Can that be Poseidon?” He ponders. It is then he notices the number of the file corresponds with the current date. Lance says, “ that’s today! This just happened.” As the man walks away and over to the compartment hatch in the floor the last thing lance sees is the man grasp the rod and eject the blade from it. The holographic display crackles and then cuts out. Lance scrambles to get it back, “ no, not yet! I want to see more.” He demands. The memory drive begins to spark and smell of burning. Disconnecting the wire lance throws the drive across the room. Just then there is a beeping on his armband, the compiling of the information is complete and the results are in. Lance presses a button on the screen.
A moment later the image displays a clear message of failure to ascend. Even more angry lance growls, “ why! I did it all right!” He shouts. Outside of the room his voice disrupts the conversation between haiku and Milano. She stands to her feet and asks, “ is everything okay?” Lance’s door opens up as he steps out angrily. Without saying anything or looking over at the two of them he walks towards the door to the home and leaves. Haiku and Milano look at each other for a moment. Haiku is the first to say something, “ perhaps he is not well.” Milano shakes her head, “ he seemed fine before you got here.” She replies. Haiku then asks, “ do you think that I’m the problem?” Milano smiles, “ don’t be silly, he had an automation he was trying to fix or something. Probably didn’t work out.” She says attempting to divert the conversation. Haiku replies, “ well I’ll be leaving now.” Milano smiles, “ Thank you for the berries, it seems like forever since we’ve had them. I’m sure this will make him happy when he returns.” She says standing up and walking with haiku towards the door. The two hug for a brief moment, Milano tells haiku, “ you are welcome any time you know.” He nods, the door opens and he steps out. Milano walks over to the berries and brings them into the kitchen to begin preparing tarts with them. Meanwhile, outside lance wanders the streets leaving the housing district he heads for the garden district.
Walking through a crowd of people he looks away from their faces. Looking at the ground he bumps into the mysterious man whose face is covered by the hood. The man says to him, “ if you’re always looking down you fail to see the world moving forward.” Lance replies, “ it’s hard to look forward when you’ve nothing to look forward to.” The man responds, “ perhaps you are just looking in the wrong place.” The man then continues walking as lance stands still in the crowd of people all moving around him. Considering what was just said to him in that moment he looks around for the hooded man. Spotting the back of the hood he begins pushing his way through the crowd to follow him. Lance shouts, “ wait, what did you mean?” However the ambiance as well as voices of the crowd drown out lance’s question. He pushes past people making his way towards the mysterious man. Seeing the man straight ahead lance makes his way against the crowd. He places his hand on the shoulder of the person directly in front of him. Turning around it is revealed to be Tim, angered that lance touched him he shouts, “ What are you trying to do?” Ahead in the distance the mysterious man hears this and turns around. Spotting the person he’d been looking for he heads back towards lance. Tim lifts his right arm as to prepare to strike lance, who cowers down and closes his eyes in anticipation. The punch never occurs as lance slowly opens his eyes to see Tim being dragged away by the mysterious man. There is so much going on at that moment no one else notices this. Lance looks for a path to chase the two. He pushes his way through the crowd apologizing as he presses forward. Tim trying to scream to no avail as his voice is muffled by the man’s arm being around his throat. Reaching the edge of the guard rails the man slams Tim against them. Falling to the ground Tim holds himself up with one arm as he places his other hand around his neck. Breathing heavily he doesn’t understand. He gets up looking for the man who had dragged him all this way. Seeing the mysterious man behind him he shouts, “ what’s your problem? You could have seriously hurt me!” The man smiles, he responds, “ you didn’t seem to think that earlier when you threw that one young man over these very rails.” Placing his right hand on the top of the railing he pulls his index finger back along the rail and then rubs it, along with his middle finger against his thumb. Tim puffs his chest out as to threaten the man. Lance arrives a moment later, watching the two. Tim rushes at the man his arms both out preparing to grapple the man, who turns to the side moving out of the way. Tim slams into the rails, he grunts turning around quickly. “ I’ll kill you!” He shouts. The man laughs as Tim charges him again. This time with one swift movement he sweeps his arm around into his center, brushing Tim’s grasp away as he uses his own momentum against him. Tim flips through the air crashing onto the ground with a tremendous thud. Lance had never witnessed anything like this before. Approaching the two lance is in complete awe of the whole ordeal. Tim turns over spotting lance, he shouts “ you! You did this.” Pushing himself up off the ground his prepares to charge at lance, however he is tripped by the mysterious man. While on the ground this time Tim grabs the cowl shrouding the man. With a rough tug he pulls the cloth from the man revealing his clothing underneath. Lance feels there is something familiar about the way this man looks but can’t quite figure it out. The man having had enough decides to bring the fight to an end. He stomps on Tim’s stomach forcing the breath from his lungs. As Tim wheeze’s the man kneels down on top of him and places his hands around Tim’s throat. “ I’ve been looking a long time for you!” He says to Tim who’s eyes open widely as he struggles to breath.
Lance shouts “ enough, stop it before you kill him” the man looks up, surprised he asks, “ what do you care? Not that long ago this boy would have not thought twice as to whether or not you were dead, or washed away in the sea.” Lance thinks for a moment, “ that doesn’t matter. He doesn’t deserve to die for being a snush larf.” The man releases his grip from the boy’s throat, using an odd looking armband he scan’s the Tim. Unable to believe what he is hearing he looks down at Tim and says, “ you are lucky that this boy, the one you cared not what his fate would have been has decided to take mercy upon you. If not for him you would be nearing death about now.” Ripping the cowl from under Tim’s arms, the mysterious man replaces the cloth and hood over his cleanly shaven head. The scan he’d taken reveals Tim is not the one he’d been searching for. Tim lay on the ground breathing heavily as the man walks away. Lance steps over to help him up. Tim pulls away pushing lance back, “ Get off of me you Salazar!” He yells before leaving the area. Lance steps back, “ you’re welcome.” He replies.
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