The Nibiru Effect

Memory 100

I stroll through Atlantis without a care in the world. I can't remember the last time I felt this good. It's a nice change of pace from the misery of my recent past. It's been a week since my friends and I escaped the Mesozoic era, but I have yet to grow accustomed to the beauty of my surroundings.

Atlantis is a marvel of modern engineering. The glass dome that towers high above me is all that stands between me and millions upon millions of tons of water, yet it's merely one element among the many that make Atlantis the most perfect city I have ever beheld.

The buildings are tall and imposing, yet shiny and new. The houses are quaint and the vegetation plentiful. Parks and gardens are sprinkled throughout the city, ensuring the air is always fresh and pure. Fruit trees line the streets, allowing for quick snacks.

People are happy. They stroll down the streets, waving to one another. They sit on benches, reading e-books on their holographic tablets. They play with their children. They do what people from my time fail to do; they enjoy life. The more time I spend here, the simpler life seems. But not everything is perfect.

I glance over my shoulder. A dozen meters behind me stand two bulky men. They wear civilian clothes, but I can tell by their erect posture they're military. They have been following me ever since I left Jonn and Kara's house. According to Kara, the Atlantean Council—a group of elders who control nearly all aspects of life in Atlantis—wants to keep me safe, but I suspect the truth is far simpler.

They think I'm working with Avalon. I can't blame them. Still, a little gratitude would be nice. After all, I risked my life trying to take her down.

I wave to the soldiers and continue my journey through the streets of Atlantis. As I walk, I notice a couple driving by in one of the city's many public electric vehicles. The principle is similar to modern-day bike sharing services, only free. The last time I saw Jonn, he was struggling to cram his massive frame into one of the tiny vehicles.

The grey-haired soldier keeps himself busy. The first day was spent updating both the military and the Atlantean Council on the details of our trip to the past. After that, he resumed his duties as leader of a small platoon. I'm not sure why a peaceful city like Atlantis needs a military force, but Jonn takes his duties seriously. He gets up at the crack of dawn and returns late at night. I find the behaviour odd, but Kara claims he's always been this way. Only one thing matters to him; taking down Avalon.

I continue my casual stroll until I notice a whale swimming beneath my feet. Like the dome that protects the city, the ground is made of glass—or some other see-through material. This wouldn't be such a big deal if not for the fact that the city is elevated from the ocean floor. It not only tricks your brain into thinking you're walking on water, but it allows you to study the marine life without having to get wet. It's fun but not as immersive as taking a dip in one of the dozens of public swimming pools scattered throughout Atlantis. It feels like you're swimming with the dolphins and the sharks without actually having to put your life at risk. It's one of Kara's favourite activities.

Kara and I spend most of our free time together. Since she doesn't have classes to attend or a job to perform, she's pretty much free all the time. She took advantage of this to show me various areas of the city and prove she can cut loose and have fun when lives don't hang in the balance. Of course, that only made me like her more, which will make our inevitable separation that much more painful. More than once I considered admitting my infatuation, but things always seemed to get in the way. In the end, I stopped trying and focused on enjoying Kara's company. But the kiss we shared was always in the back of my mind. In fact, that's why I chose to take a stroll. I need to clear my mind and figure out my next move.

I reach the edge of the city and take a seat on one of the countless benches that line the dome's perimeter. I now have a breathtaking view of the ocean. At first, being so deep underwater kind of freaked me out, but now seeing the vast expanse of water fills me with ease. I let my gaze wander and allow my mind to do the same.