[The Beach, Long House]

[August 08, 2023]

[2:30 PM]

“Friday, please pull up the map for the new territory,” I said as I leaned back onto my heels. I stiffed a yawn as I focused on the meeting at hand.

Every day was an endless report of current repairs across the whole nation. Endless projects on the island, on the moon, and the Kuiper Belt mining operations. I needed a nap.

The ceiling projectors clicked on. It displayed a holographic map for Val Gris. An iceberg like island, where there was little landmass on top, but a deep rock structure below.

We were mining it for titanium, but due to water pressure and leaking, all operations were stopped. It was easier to buy titanium than to mine it back in early 2022.

Our new Tritanium Alloy also reduced our need for raw titanium. It was all awkward nonsense. The new mining operations in the Kuiper Belt made it all moot anyway.

“This is our proposed enhancements,” Aquaria said as she tapped at the screen. Friday overlapped the old map with new markings.

Unlike the old map, the new one was using the power of Atlantean technology. What was once a surface-level scan now showcased three kilometers. It revealed materials, composition, and general locations.

“This is what it will look like afterward,” Friday explained as the Val Gris was hollowed out and rebuilt.

I stared as I watched the caverns turn into a city that was like what was under Utopia. I never got to visit, but I would see Atlantean architecture in person very soon.

I noted various tidbits as Friday fed me information. She tracked my eye movement and showcased whatever images I stared at.

To the side was more information on any projects of this scale. Val Gris was as busy as the rebuilding of the coastal regions of the mainland.

I had information before I knew what questions to ask. Friday knew me better than I knew myself.

“Looks good,” I said as I began to circle the hologram. There was no need for me to move, but I liked to pace when thinking.

Val Gris was close enough for us to react even without our Impulse Gates. It was also far enough to give them a sense of independence.

I liked it.

My future goals may never come to fruition, but there was also no need to hedge against my dreams. A hope of establishing Val Verde as a space empire. Earth was always a target and I wanted insurance for my people.

If we ever left Earth as a human nation, they could inherit this speck of land. New Atlantis was many things, but hateful was not one of them.

They were like anyone else, tired of moving and rebuilding. They were all hoping for a safe home to stay at.

I could respect that.

“As our treaties get crafted, so too will we respect your will, Supreme Leader,” Aquaris said as she gave me a slight bow.

I didn’t know enough about the culture to infer what the bow meant, but I could guess. A noble to do so signified more.

“Enough. You are a member of Val Verde now. No need for such formality outside of press conferences,” I said as I waved off her actions.

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I hated formality as Aquaria was currently an esteemed citizen of Val Verde. Concessions are always given for special VIPs. Aquaria was one such person.

“You know as well as I do that we are now allied. So long as you do not betray us, I will ensure that you will remain protected as well,” I reminded her. Namor was very generous with the treaty.

So long as we protected this new Atlantis, we would work as brother nations. Resources and even technology would be all shared. So long as we proved Val Verde’s intentions.

Aquaria Nautica Neptunia, aka Namora, would be the gatekeeper. She would be their representative unless something happened to either of us.

“Friday rename Val Gris to Val Atlantis. We will ensure that you will have any tools and resources you need to rebuild your homes,” I said as I stopped pacing. I looked at Aquaria and saw her neutral expression.

She would learn soon enough. I was a man who earned the trust because I was too dumb to scheme. I didn't have enough time to bother with that nonsense.

Doing as much in a forthright manner was the best path. Longterm it would net us the greatest gains for only a tribute of time and resources.

“I thank you, Supreme Leader,” Aquaria bowed once again. A touch deeper this time.

“Our treaty states many things Namora,” I used her title since this was an official meeting. “What I desire for you is the same for any of my children. Stability. Peace. Prosperity.”

Aquaria nodded along.

“Friday, what is the time frame for this project?” I asked as I noted that there were various projects for future improvements as well.

I tapped at one and the seabed became flatter with metal sheets everywhere. I tapped at the notes and nodded as I read it. Defensive structures with heavy weapons.

No more blind trust in another nation. I liked it as a person who was a full-blooded citizen. Military service ran in my veins.

Val Atlantis could use us to help rebuild and then to help succeed. A problem that would plague any other nation.

For Val Verde, it would be cute. The Kuiper Belt mining was giving us so many raw resources. Enough that I didn’t know what to do with it all.

Selling it en mass was not smart. I didn’t want to empower any other nation and we could only use so much of that. The most recent attack proved that there were dangers everywhere still.

Val Atlantis was an amusing side project. A pet that we could raise until it was time to release it back into the wild. A pet project to keep the nation busy.

I understood then, what the leaders of global powers felt—a sense of detached power. I could ruin nations but I had the foresight to ignore such idiocy.

Val Verde was troublesome enough. We did not need to invite new problems.

Friday projected another overlay on the current map. The existing caverns were under construction. Heavy redesigns. Cultural differences and reinforcing of everything.

Around the island itself was an ocean of tents and mobile homes. Quickly erected hovels that would provide temporary lodgings. It was the current home for the tens of thousands of citizens.

“Construction will be completed by early November. 4 months at the current rate and supply consumption. We can speed it up if we use more resources. Though we run into potential issues with quality control,” Friday explained.

She highlighted various areas of the new city.

“Accuracy over speed,” I said as I examined the map. “New Atlantis will now get designed to last sieges. Val Verde will protect you with our full might and I endorse your desires for self-defense as well.”

“I thank you, Supreme Leader,” Aquaria said with a bow. I grimaced as I hated formality such as this.

“Our time is now up,” Friday said as the projector turned off and the windows became translucent. The black windows turned clear to showcase the view of the beach and sea.

I yawned as sunlight brightened the room.

“You are now free to relax, Johnny,” Friday said as she opened the door and the fresh sea breeze filled the room.

I nodded and began to strip into my swimming trunks.

Aquaria watched. Her nerves are taut as no leader had ever done that in her presence before. A part of her mind was anxious he would ask for something more personal.

“Well, now that the meeting is over, please relax with us. We have food, drinks, and some very comfortable lawn chairs to nap on,” I said as I yawned again.

“You have orders to nap for at least 90 minutes,” Friday reminded me as I walked out and winced at the bright light.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” I complained as I shuffled to the closest lawn chair and sat down. The cool shade and warm air had me unconscious in moments.

It didn't hurt that I had been practicing my naps for four years now.

—

“Friend Aquaria!” Kori flew over to grab her new friend’s hand. “Let us partake in the beach ball activity!”

Aquaria nodded as she noted how jarring things were. Formal moments were serious, but informal moments were this relaxed?

Aquaria smiled as Kara flew over as well. In her arms was a white ball, triple reinforced, for a friendly game of beach volleyball.

“Hello Aquaira,” Kara greeted as she tossed over the ball. “Let's see how much you remember for yesterday.”

Aquaira smiled. Life in Atlantis was stifling at times. There were rarely girls her age and in the same occupation. The nobility were far too stuffy, and the warrior class far too crass.

The fact that she was a halfbreed made things harder.

With Kara and Kori? She felt relaxed as they jested with her.

The fact that they were also new to Earth and Val Verde culture only made it better. She could immediately understand the inside jokes they shared.

“Oh, you two start, and I will return in a few minutes,” Kori said as she flew off.

The pair watched as the redhead floated over to Johnny.

“She loves him, doesn’t she?” Aquaria asked as she watched her new friend adjust the sleeping man.

“Kori does love him, and he is the most important person to her,” Kara agreed. “He was almost assassinated earlier this year and it has made her face her feelings. Not to mention the paranoia.”

“I apologize if this is forward… but do you not feel the same?” Aquaria asked. “I have seen similar looks from you as well.”

Kara giggled. “I am giving her a head start since she chose to stay first.”

Aquaria tilted her head to the side. Was that a human thing or a Kryptonian thing?

“Let us play ball!” Kara cheered.

Aquaira nodded as she could use the fun. The long lull of endless construction had her going mad with boredom.

She wondered if this was part of the reason why Namor would often go crazy. The political side of Atlantis was rife with issues.

Yet that was a problem for another day.

Right now, it was time to play ball.

With a giggle of her own, Aquaria chased Kara. The pair moved to the nets where she could try to remember the rules. On how to play and score.

————

Chapter 73 - Val Atlantis