Atlantis Burning

Chapter 11

Bea kept an eye on the monitor and was glad to see the men come through the portal. She saw they were searching around the columns, gathering up some treasures before returning to the boat. Bea laid out some sandwich makings.

They stripped off their gear and headed to the saloon at the back of the boat, Bea put her finger to her lips and whispered, "Annia's napping."

Henry laid out some broken pottery and an amulet. "I have so many questions that I think my questions have questions and the biggest one is how are we going to tell the world. I wonder if Eric will want to bring a film crew down, or just use my photos."

"Dad, we can't tell people!"

"This is the biggest discovery, possibly ever. Do we have the right to keep it to ourselves?"

 "Yes. Our priority needs to be Annia. We can't risk someone finding out about her, they'd consider her a test subject," Bea argued.

"I'm with Bea. We protect our family, first. We don't even know if we are going to be able to keep coming and going from Atlantis."

"I wasn't given any voice in the matter of Annia. Part of the dream for me has always been to tell the world the truth. It always seemed wrong that their very existence was turned into a myth."

"Don't you dare make this about you! You didn't see how terrified she was of that mob, I know I did the right thing protecting an innocent child. That's how mom raised me while you were - you were putting criminals like those men out on the streets."

"It's all right, Bea. Your dad loves Annia, too. He wants her safe."

"Does he? Did he care about my safety when he was defending those criminals?" Bea said with a tone of bitterness. "You loved being in the limelight and you want that back."

"I always kept you safe, Honey Bea. You didn't mind my job when I was writing out those tuition checks for your ivy league education."

"We are losing the point of this conversation. I think we can all agree that we want to protect Annia, even at the cost of keeping Atlantis a secret," Edward said calmly.

"Dad, please don't tell Eric or anyone else," Bea pleaded. "This is far bigger than any of your cases. Telling people could leave us facing enemies on all sides, including the governments that have been trying to keep us in the dark."

"Alright. I concede, Honey Bea. We need to keep this a secret. It's enough to be able to walk the streets of Atlantis."

"Thank you. Now, let's change the subject, mom would say we're all going to get indigestion from this."

"I've always loved how much you are like her. That's why it was no surprise when you gave up field work to teach. You long to make a difference, just like she did."

Bea poured herself some iced tea. "I admit, the anthropologist in me wants to be down there with you doing field work. Atlantians could be the oldest people group on the planet. If Africa was the birthplace of humanity, if the continents were still together, than it could have begun in Atlantis and the people spread out into Africa."

"You should go back with me. I'm sure there are things your dad and I are missing."

"I'm still having nightmares, so I'll pass."

Edward took some paper and began drawing out a map. "I want to begin tracking where we've been. I have a feeling this civilization is large enough we're going to need it."

"The map is a good idea. I think we should also try to figure out if this is their technology. Maybe, they knew they were going to sink and well, they say necessity is the mother of invention."

"The pyramids are proof they have technology, and that we might not know how to recognize it. For all we know, they come and go from the city themselves," Edward said.

"Hopefully Rover will show us if anyone leaves. Let's keep an eye out, whenever we're near the monitor." Henry suggested.

The conversation continued as Annia walked into the room, still half-asleep.

"I'm sorry baby girl, did we wake you?" Bea asked, beckoning the girl to come to her.

Annia walked toward her and noticed the artifacts on the table. For the first time, she started talking. Nobody knew what she was saying, but it was clear that she was agitated. She picked up the amulet and the pottery.

Bea held out her hands, "Give those to Mommy."

Annia held them close to her chest, as she headed towards the bulwark. Bea followed her, she tried to pick up the child, but Annia squirmed out of her grip, still holding the artifacts. "Annia! Give those to Mommy." The girl went straight to the side and threw the items overboard before turning to look at Bea. She ranted in what sounded like a good scolding. Bea held out her hands, and the girl raised her arms to be picked up. "You win, baby girl. Mommy's sorry you had to see that."

Edward was the first to speak. "Even mad that girl is cute as a button. Let's put our focus on her. We still have a lot of loose ends regarding her birth. If we draw attention to ourselves, people are going to start investigating her origins."

"Then it's agreed," Bea said. "Atlantis will be our secret."