Return to Atlantis

Chapter 8 - The Mission

The headquarters of the World Defense Federation, Sybil, is known as a rigid military underground base.

But Sybil is more than just a military base. It is a complex infrastructure, a whole new metropolis, a world secluded from the world. It is home to  thousands of soldiers who have pledge their life to the secrecy and isolation of the military life---the WDF way.

And today, the Falcon unit of the WDF is nestled in Sybil after two months duty in space, finally back on Earth ground. Shifts over. The Doraco unit has sub for them up in space.

The Sybil gym is abuzz with men and women on their off time in their tight-fitting gym clothes. Alec Archer entered this gym in his military uniform. He just got back from the Commander's office with bad news for himself, thanks to his utter mischief the other day.

"Hey, where've you been? And why are you in your uniform as if you are ready for another mission?" Sanders called from the jogging machine.

"I am off to a mission," Alec said wryly.

Sanders stopped the pedalling, a look of surprise on his face. "Say what?"

"I'm being sent on a mission," Alec repeated.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Sanders jumped off of the machine. "What are you talking about? We just got back from a mission!"

"Yeah, what are you talking about?" Garrison threw in from the weights machine.

"I'm being sent on a 'special mission'. A land mission. So I'm here to say 'adios'. I will be gone for a while."

"A land mission! That's great!" exclaimed Sanders. Then with a seriously confused face, he asked, "We do land missions?"

"No," said Alec, then with a shrug, "Well, not until today...well, that was what I was told,"

Sanders was wide-eyed in surprise. "Oh, no! The enemies have broken through the barrier?! Oh my God! With Professor Kinski missing and all and now--"

Alec shook his head in annoyance. "No, it is nothing like that, Sanders..." Alec paused. "I think."

"Archer, they can't be sending you out on another mission. We just got back from space. It's our revitalization period." Garrison pointed out.

Alec could only give them a 'you know' look. Sanders face suddenly opened up in realization. "Aha! That's your punishment for the other day! They thought what a better way to punish you from your misdeed than by taking away your leave, is that it?"

Alec had to nod to that.

Garrison's hand reached behind Alec's shoulder, tapping him teasingly. "Tsk, tsk, tsk, that's too bad, Archer,"

"Yeah, what was that all about anyway?" asked Sanders.

Alec shrugged again. "Just answered a distress call,"

"A distress call?! What are you talking about? We don't get distress calls. We don't do distress calls!" Garrison pointed out.

Alec didn't have to answer that. He sat under one of the weight lifting machine and began working it, thinking about the girl in Alaska he had brought into the hospital. He had to leave her there immediately. HQ was already looking for him fast. He was very well aware that time that he had committed a breach of command and he knew better than to make it worse. 

He kept wondering about the girl...and that unfortunate old man.

"Archer," the familiar voice of Lieutenant Phil Wilson came to him. Alec looked up and saw his black face.

"Can't believe it has to be you of all people,"

Alec smiled tauntingly. "Isn't it great, Phil?"

"Great? Of course not? What mischief will you be bringing along? Will you go 'kapoof' on me also?"

Alec got up. "That was sarcasm. Anyway, it's not going to be that bad, lieutenant,"

"With you around it is not going to be good. I know that well enough. You haven't changed, Alec. You still smell of trouble," Phil was shaking his head in exasperation. "Anyway, be ready. We are off first thing tomorrow morning,"

"If you say so, lieutenant," Archer sighed.

Alec watched as Phil left the room. 'Good ol' uptight Phil. We've been friends for years and you haven't changed also,' he thought to himself.

He sat back again on his weigh-lifting chair, thinking as he did still about the girl. From his pocket, he pulled out a necklace with a white crystal pendant. He held it up to his eyes and gazed at it. It looked like an ordinary crystal pendant; lacking in sheen and life.

He remembered her face. He has to see her again. He needs to see her again.