Air rushed along the platform before a small sleek, pod type of carriage pulled into the main station within Atlantis’ dock. It had capacity for about 5 people max and it was obvious it was different from any carriages that usually pulled in, due to the decals spread across it that read Miltech.

The door hissed shut behind us and I took a seat before the carriage set off at a rapid pace. Layla had a smirk across her face like I was some caveman experiencing technology for the first time.

“You know. This isn’t anything new to me. I’ve seen things way crazier than this,” I blurted out in desperation to sway her opinion of me. I wasn’t sure why I even cared about it. But I did.

“Naw sure you have.

“By the way, we have to make a quick stop on the way to your temporary quarters.”

“Really. You’re dragging me on an errand?”

“Yes. I am,” she said, cutting the conversation to an end.

As we glided along the rails I had to attempt to remain calm like I wasn’t losing it over how crazy this space station was. We were going through station after station and in between each one it gave a glimpse outside as well as the structures that made up Atlantis where staring up was like looking up gigantic skyscrapers all intertwined by steel and tubed passages.

After not too long, Layla pulled out her slate and brought the pod to a stop at the commercial district as indicated by the bright neon sign that overhung numerous air-locked entry ways.

These sections were similar to the ones on Salvation though at a much larger scale. It was a shell protecting the contents from the harsh realities of space and inside of it were numerous buildings, almost like city blocks separated by a network of paths.

Entering the commercial district was more underwhelming than expected. I imagined it would usually be buzzing with life, noise and lights at a more reasonable hour than when we arrived. The grated paths were occasionally lit by some late night establishments and dimmed street lights, and the only people walking were either Miltech patrols or an occasional patron making their way home.

“Wait here,” said Layla once we got down an alley between two buildings.

She entered through a back door of one of the clubs ‘Neon Monkey’ where the muffle of grungey music got gradually louder before shutting the door behind her.

The least she could do was let me tag along, I thought and used for justification to wait a few seconds before opening the door and slowly making my way in.

It led me into a storage area where just up ahead another door remained open with voices lightly spilling out of it.

I quickly moved up to the edge of the open door to try and get a listen into the conversation.

“They’ve entered the system but we aren’t entirely sure where they are.”

There was too much noise so I pushed my head further into the door to hear them more clearly before I was yanked backwards by my shoulder and thrown onto the ground.

A big pissed off guard stood over with me. Not saying anything besides a grunt here or there when he was pulling me up.

He swung me through the door and shoved me into the room first with aLL eyes turned to me.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“I caught this guy snooping around,” the guard grunted before taking a seat next to the door.

A dark toned woman with piercing purple eyes stared at me in consideration. Studying me almost, and it wasn’t hard to recognise that she was Solari. The only one in a room full of a handful of others.

“A friend of yours Layla?” She said.

“Hardly, but he’s with me.”

The woman pursed her lips, intent on leaving long pauses between each question.

“Where are you from, mysterious man?”

“He’s a rookie traveller that accidentally stumbled on Atlantis,” answered Layla.

She shot a glare toward Layla so vicious that she dared not try to interrupt again. This woman was scary. You could tell she was in charge of a lot more than this dingy little club in the commercial district and honestly it had me just as intrigued as frightened. Who was she and why is she so suspicious.

“I’m sure he can speak for himself, Layla.

“Where are you from?” she asked again, more sternly this time.

“Uh. Nuvora ma’am.”

She leaned back in her chair, taking on a more relaxed posture with a smile. Though It was a smile from catching someone out in a lie.

“Interesting scar you have on your arm.”

She pointed to the scar on my arm and the one that I just so happened to receive from a Solari blade way back on Biterra.

Does she know that it’s from a Solari blade?

Before I could even fumble over my own words she turned her head back to Layla, smiled and stood up.

“When you locate them, best to let me know right away okay sweetie.” Said the woman in a condescending tone.

It struck a nerve and I could see Layla briefly tense up and clench her fist before relaxing, smiling back and reassuring her that she would.

…

“So what was the go with that?” I asked, finally breaking the silence once we hopped back into the pod to leave the commercial district.

“Nothing that has to do with you.

“Change of plans again. Looks like Dr Wilson does want to see you,” she added.

The pod suddenly took a vertical turn. It was a quick subtle feeling before things felt normal and ‘horizontal’ again.

Woah that’s weird. We must be going up Atlantis. Or across…. Fuck, who knows.

“So why did you lie to that Solari woman back there?”

She laughed at the question.

“Who? Serena? The same reason as you no doubt.

“She holds a lot of power across Atlantis and some things are better off leaving her in the dark about. Though you’ve done a good job at raising her suspicions. Haven’t you?”

I sure had done a good job of it and it had left a lingering feeling of unease. For as much as I knew about the Solari, there was just as much I didn’t know. I felt as if she read me like a book but enjoyed making me squirm at her line of questions.

…

Each district we approached a quiet announcement sounded. I hadn’t paid much attention to it until I heard one in particular — Fletcher industries.

The same as Nuvora. Fletcher had a foothold in Atlantis. Two for three systems so far and my stomach churned at the thought of another situation like Nuvora. I wasn’t game to ask Layla about it either. I was too unsure what side Layla was on and there were too many unanswered questions.

…

“We’re here,” announced Layla as she pulled out her slate and stopped the pod in the Science and Research District.

It was an insane difference to the commercial district. It was bright and refreshing. A wide path led into a massive open area in the centre of the district, like a big open parkland that was surrounded by areas of grass, plants and the buildings of course.

“Okay now this is crazy,” I said, finally cracking a slight smile out of Layla.

She led me down the pathway and through the open areas. It was so reminiscent of Earth I just wanted to sit and take it in and never leave. It felt familiar, comfortable.

…

There he was. Sitting by his desk in an office that was an exact replica of his one back on Earth with a smile on his face — my old friend.

“Ha-ha. It is you. You made it Alex!" exclaimed Eli, his voice more horse than the one I remember.

“And you got old!”

I had so many questions. It was a Déjà vu moment that struck so many emotions that I had no idea where to start so I just stood there.