Return to Atlantis

Chapter 18 - The Symposium

The spacious auditorium occupied the entire top floor of the airship. Today, it is brimming with people for the first day of the WAC symposium.

With a seat capacity of thousands, it is enough for the vast student population in Cyrus.

It offered a 360 degrees sky view through the glass panels that circumvents it like a glass igloo. Sunlight flared all around seamlessly, filtered through tinted anti-ultraviolet glass panels.

Up front is a large stage. On its backdrop is a billboard-size monitor and Phil, Alec and Sanders recognized it to be belonging to the World Government's Communication Network – the Centralink. They were surprised to find it in this civilian activity. The WAC being outfitted with the sophisticated official government commlink technology only goes to show the prestigious support the World Government accords to this academic event.

They wondered who would appear there. They do know one thing for sure that whoever's going to appear in that monitor today is definitely one of the planet's important persons. Ordinary people don't just appear on Centralinks.

"Where could she be at this hour?" Alec and Sanders heard Phil muttered on the comlink through earpieces attached to their mobile phones.

"Relax, Phil. We all know she won't miss this event," Alec said.

"Yeah, she could be here already, lieutenant. It's just so difficult to find her in the crowd," said Sanders.

"Okay, just stay in your positions," ordered Phil. He was referring to Alec's posting at the front entrance, Sanders' at the left, both men were seated among the crowd. He on the other hand is standing by the one of the entrances, on the outside hallway, preparing to rendezvous with the expected WAC security personnel. 

Alec dropped his head to his chest in frustration. "Phil, you've said that a million times already."

"Whatever. Just stay in your positions," came the response.

And Alec had to drop his head again at that. "Geez!"

"Uh, what was the plan again, lieutenant?" Sanders asked, scratching his head from where he was.

"The plan is this, private. We have solicited the aid of the WAC security to summon Miss Kinski out of the auditorium. She'll be asked to leave the ship afterwards. She won't have a choice but to come with us. "

"Great! Nothing violent then!" exclaimed Sanders.

"We are not going to resort to force or anything like that...if we can help it," Phil clarified.

"I honestly don't think she'll yield that easily," noted Alec.

"She won't have a choice. WAC will drive her out per official orders," Phil reiterated in a confident response. "We will complete this mission successfully by hooked or by crooked." 

****

Ava splashed her face with water again...but the strange sensation did not subside.

She looked up and stared at the lavatory mirror as water dripped down her pale-white face, a question marked on her face.

The ill-feeling had come to her about an hour ago as she was making hernway through the corridors to the auditorium. It was so nauseating she staggered for the comfort room. It felt like her head is glowing with a mercurial fever it could explode.

Astonishment held her in front of the mirror. Ava Kinski was never once sick in her whole life. It had always puzzled her, but now that she is feeling less than her usual self for like the first time in forever, it puzzled her all the more.