Shadows of Atlantis: Emergence of the Engi Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Introduction

  Prologue - More Than Human

  Chapter 1. World Enders

  Chapter 2. Flickering of a Shadow

  Chapter 3. Waterborn

  Chapter 4. Regal

  Chapter 5. Guilds

  Chapter 6. Bonds

  Chapter 7. Electroball

  Chapter 8. Stranger in the Reef

  Chapter 9. Moonlight Paradise

  Chapter 10. Bridge Between the Worlds

  Chapter 11. Divide Ut Regnes

  Chapter 12. Alpha

  Chapter 13. Defiance

  Chapter 14. Allies

  Chapter 15. Xeno

  Acknowledgments

  Glossary

  Bonus Poems

  Shadows of Atlantis

  Emergence of The Engi

  By Donsha Hatch

  Copyright © 2016 by Donsha Hatch. All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission from the author.

  ISBN (eBook Edition): 978-0-692-65341-8

  eBook cover designed by coversbykaren.com

  Shadows of Atlantis is dedicated to Keziah Devorah Moore, also known as “Kezzy” or “Princess Keznah.”

  Little sis, you fought one of the toughest bullies known to man and you never gave in.

  You inspire me to never give up no matter what the circumstances are and I’m gonna make sure the world knows your beauty and courage.

  I’ll never forget how hard you fought sis, I love you more than words can say.

  #Kezzy Strong

  “Kezzy”

  Kezzy.

  So Beautiful and so Brave.

  The inspiration you give us is more than words can say.

  Despite how hard the battle was, you kept fighting each day.

  You always smiled and always laughed and never once complained.

  I hope one day to measure up to Kezzy as a whole.

  Cause you’re the greatest Xenogeek this world will ever know.

  Hello Reader, for starters I want to thank you for supporting Shadows of Atlantis and joining me on this literary journey, as this is my first written novel. Ever. My own attention span isn’t too long, so I’ll try not to lull you to sleep with a bunch of over-exaggerated words. Rather, I’ll give you a somewhat brief explanation of how this story came to be.

  Growing up I’ve always loved reading books that took me to new worlds and undiscovered places. I think primarily because I’ve always felt like an outcast my whole life, but I also believe that at a very young age I understood that words can be very powerful if you knew how to wield them. Like many people, the realities of life hit me fast and hard and before I knew it I was going through the motions, unhappy and waiting for each day to die and bring life to the next depressingly perpetual day. Then one day, while I was watching one of my favorite sci-fi movies, it hit me.

  That's what I should be doing! That’s what I’ve done my whole life when reality was too depressing to ponder. Create stories! Why didn’t I realize this sooner? I don’t know, but whatever, let’s do it now. So I started my energy drink binge and paced my home brainstorming a great but unique idea. I needed something vaguely familiar, but something that also breaks new ground. I thought and thought until I realized that everywhere you turned there were tons of repetitive stories featuring fantasy and magic. I didn’t want to be another one of the many, so what could I do? I needed something that was exotic enough to give that fantastical, new world experience. But as a fan of both fantasy and great science fiction, I needed something that was also plausible to the world of speculative future science.

  That’s when I came up with the idea of Undarians, this genetically engineered trans-human species that were augmented by an unknown sentient race, giving many of them elemental abilities. Now I had the idea, but for months I couldn’t find a story. That’s when I read a quote from whom I consider to be one of my greatest teachers, Orson Scott Card. He wrote, “the idea of a story is nothing compared to the importance of knowing how to find a character and a story to tell around that idea.”

  So I fell asleep with that on my mind and ended up having a pretty interesting dream. In that dream I was back in the ghetto, in the neighborhood I grew up in. I was hanging with all of my buddies I grew up with and we were all just hanging around the neighborhood having fun. Nothing illegal was going on, we just enjoyed being around each other. It was a great day.

  Then these two people came in the neighborhood and started making trouble. Like most families stick up for each other, everyone got together and the usual “bad stuff” was about to happen to the troublemakers. But now as a 25-year-old adult, I’ve experienced how different life can be outside of the ghetto and I no longer think the way I did when I was younger. So right before everything went south, I got in between everyone and separated the two parties. I took the trouble makers aside and found out the root of the problem. I then reasoned with them and helped them to see that it wasn’t worth what was going to happen. They soon relented and everything was ok after that.

  I woke up smiling because I was so happy that I’d seen friends of mine that I haven’t in a very long time. But then reality hit me. That wasn’t real, it was only a dream. I didn’t really see my friends. So I sat up on my bed at three o’clock in the morning pondering that sad truth and the reasons why I couldn’t hang out with many of the people I considered to be family. Why? Why couldn’t I? Where are they now? The answer was simple. Many of them were no longer around because of the destructive and divisive traditions many of us grew up learning.

  Anyone who's from the ghetto understands what I’m talking about. The reasons I can’t see many of my childhood friends are because either something bad happened to them or they are in jail. That’s the truth and it’s one that’s very hard to accept. Growing up in the ghetto we’re programmed to be a certain way, to do certain “things.” And those “things” end up crippling us in ways we don’t fully understand as young people. I resented that to my core and I couldn’t go back to sleep. But that’s when it hit me. Now I had a great story with powerful moral lessons to tell around my idea, so I immediately got to work.

  Now I want to explain what my definition of a Xenogeek is. My whole life I’ve considered myself a pretty big nerd, but I could never really show it because of the environment I grew up in. Throughout the majority of my teens I had to be tough growing up in the ghetto, so showing my nerdy side didn’t seem like a good idea. Because of that I became very perceptive and learned many important things about people. I learned things like being social, knowing how to fit in and how to read and reflect body language at a very young age.

  As I got older though, I learned the importance of embracing who I am and not being ashamed of it. As well as the innumerable benefits of being smart and placing a high value on intelligence. Many of my good friends are nerds and we enjoy many of the same things. But I also noticed something intriguing. I noticed that although I was very much like some of them, I was also very different in many ways. I wasn’t “socially awkward.” In fact, I was very good at relating to and connecting with people. I knew what people needed emotionally, even without them saying a word. I wasn’t “unfashionable” and although very intelligent, intellectual things weren’t my main interests. I also enjoyed fashion, having fun and being in social environments. Having played sports most of my life, I also didn’t live up to the stereotype of the scrawny or non-athletic nerd either.

  That’s when I realized I ne
eded to create a term for others like me who were very nerdy but also very sociable and fun. So I found the prefix “Xeno,” which is synonymous with the word “different” and created the word Xenogeek. Although I related to and enjoyed being around other nerds and geeks, I was a different kind of geek. This by no means meant that I was better than other nerds or geeks. In fact, without nerds and geeks imagine how boring life today would be. No social media, no Wi-Fi, no smartphones or wearables, no robots, none of the incredible tech we use today. The 21st century wouldn’t be as fun would it?

  Now that I had my story, I knew this could be my gift to the world. I have first handedly experienced the disastrous effects of being incorrectly programmed, one too many times. And unfortunately, things like racism and prejudice seem far more commonplace today than I can remember in all of my 25 years. The world is hurting from all of the negativity pushed by different individuals and we’re all in desperate need of a positive message today. So like a brave young knight wielding a powerful sword that will save his people, if through this story I can help others to learn from my many mistakes and prevent future disaster, my heart is at peace. A year and a half later, this is the finished product of all of my tedious research and hard work.

  Shadows of Atlantis is a celebration of being different, being “Xeno.” We’re all creative and innovative in our own ways and should appreciate each other for those things. This story is my pursuit of happiness, my one-handed Odell Beckham Jr. catch, my flooglebinder, my masterpiece to change my stars, and the result of all of my hard work that I hope you all come to appreciate and love.

  So my fellow readers and bookworms, it’s my sincere hope that you not only enjoy the story, but appreciate the underlying theme and messages behind it. I also hope that you all wholeheartedly support Shadows of Atlantis and the Xenogeek movement on social media, because regardless of who we are, we’re all “Xeno” in some way, shape, or form and we should appreciate each other for our differences, allowing them to make us stronger, not divide us. Please enjoy the story. :-)

  (P.S. - Visualize the story like it’s a movie, it’ll make for a cooler experience!)

  “Where there is unity there is always victory.” — Publilius Syrus

  Trekking through the wet rainforest, Eiris forced himself to stop asking one of the many questions that plagued him his entire life. Why did he have the same blurry dream every night for the past three years? Although he’s gotten hints and clues over time, the answers have always seemed either too mysterious or far-fetched for reason. So instead, he just continued wandering aimlessly through the beautiful torrential forest that had evidently been forsaken by any signs of life.

  Navigating his way through this exotic woodland, Eiris suddenly felt a strange but familiar sensation. Like untapped waters from an abandoned well, something powerful was drawing him, but he couldn’t see it. Listening to his body, he closed his eyes and focused his mind on the sensation pulling at him.

  Stilling his mind, he pinpointed the direction of the sensation and quickly opened his eyes before he lost whatever connection he had to it. Doing so, he was shocked at the sight staring back at him. Directly ahead, was a gorgeous exotic-looking woman in tribal clothing. Elaborate black tribal markings trailed her arms and legs, but most distinctive were those glowing blue eyes she gazed at him with.

  She looked human, but her eyes indicated that she was something more. No sooner than she appeared, she ran off so Eiris followed her. Chasing her through the rainforest, he darted through giant branches and under dripping leaves until she finally stopped. Once he caught up, he noticed they both were standing on the edge of a beautiful lake.

  “Who are you?” he asked as his words began echoing in the blurry dream.

  The beautiful woman didn’t reply, but just turned her head briefly and smiled before diving headfirst into the lake. As he swam underwater looking for her, he realized this was no normal lake. Rather it was much deeper, more like an ocean.

  Strangely enough, in this dream he breathed water as easily as he could breathe air, which puzzled him. Swimming deeper into the dark abyss of water, Eiris felt the sensation again so he stopped and began floating. As he looked through the dark waters for her, suddenly something frightful appeared. Directly in front of him were two wrathful glowing blue eyes, causing him to wake up to a sweaty scream in the middle of the night.

  “Watch your flank! Watch your flank!” commanded Masters.

  “I can’t shake em’! I can’t sh…………!”

  As the Starfighter burst into flames, it went spiraling down into the atmosphere of the planet called Areolus, taking with it the last of the primary escort.

  “Planetary defense what’s your status?” Masters asked.

  “Two of our main cities have already been destroyed. Ground forces are scattered and Celestia Central is in full Evac. But thousands of evacuees are still trapped in the deflector bunker. Lieutenant, they’re just too many...we’re fighting a losing battle.” gloomed the Areolian soldier.

  “I need you to gather yourself soldier, this fight is far from over.” remarked Masters.

  “My apologies sir, I’m just not so sure that the other fleets will come to our aid.” replied the soldier.

  “What we think doesn’t matter, we have orders. And with alpha squadron now gone, we’re the last hope for Areolus. So unfortunately we don’t have the luxury of despair. Now I need you to make sure those evacuees are safe until the Undarian Fleets come through the Interstellar Arc. Do you understand?” ordered Masters.

  “Yes sir.” replied the soldier.

  As the battle raged on, dozens more Areolian Starfighters spiraled to their doom. Several Engi destroyers then began streaming in the direction of delta squadron.

  “Lieutenant, a squadron of destroyers are coming your direction and closing fast!” informed the Areolian soldier.

  “Copy planetary defense, I see them.” reassured Masters. “Delta squadron, fire a few flux torpedoes and then disperse, doubling back behind the second moon. Soran, you make a slow beeline to the rear of the Arc and be ready to evade.” he ordered.

  “Copy.” replied Soran.

  “Like we’re retreating?” asked Starfighter delta five.

  “Precisely. They’ll key in on Soran thinking he’s damaged, then we’ll surprise them with a little welcoming party.” replied Masters.

  As delta squadron implemented the plan, the Engi did just as Lieutenant Masterson predicted, until the unexpected happened.

  “Lieutenant they’ve stopped firing, they’re doubling back. Wait……...wait a second………...they’re heading straight towards the Arc! That……. that’s impossible, it’s like they knew exactly what we were doing!” remarked Starfighter delta five.

  “Change of plans! Delta squadron form up on me! We need to draw them away from that quasar!” ordered Masters.

  “Lieutenant, they outnumber us fifty to one…………. attacking them would be suicide.” informed Starfighter delta five.

  “Death is only a matter of perspective soldier. How we live is of no consequence. But how we die is the only thing that truly matters. If this be our end, then it’ll be a good one. Every second we can give the other fleets is time well spent. May Turanii be with us.” replied Masters.

  “I’m with you sir. Delta two standing by.” nodded Soran.

  “Delta three standing by.”

  “Delta four standing by.”

  “Delta five standing by.”

  “Delta six standing by.”

  “Delta seven standing by.”

  “Delta eight standing by.”

  “Delta nine standing by.”

  “Delta ten standing by.”

  “Delta one one standing by.”

  “Delta one two standing by.”

  “Delta one three standing by.”

  “Delta one four standing by.”

  “Delta one five standing by.”

  “Perspective indeed……………. now let’s show thes
e dumb mechs the full power of Turan might! Nature………...!” inspired Masters.

  “..........Is our ally!” responded delta squadron in full unison.

  “Use the plasma on our sun!” commanded Masters.

  Eyes glowing white, Masters and delta squadron used their elemental abilities and bonded themselves with the plasma from the planet’s sun. Using its energy, they created a colossal plasma ball, sending it directly into the mass of Engi destroyers heading towards the luminous quasar, destroying dozens of them.

  “That barely made a dent!” remarked Starfighter delta five.

  “Then we’ll make another one. Delta squadron, cluster and destroy! We’ll cut a hole right through them!” replied Masters.

  Firing flux torpedoes, Masters led delta squadron right into the heart of the Engi squadron. Inspired, they fought with a ferocity few could ever match, taking dozens of destroyers with each delta pilot that fell. Even so, they were being overwhelmed as more and more Engi emerged from the stars.

  “Soran, what are you doing?! Stay within the cluster!” ordered Masters.

  “Forgive me, but we need more time. Get our families off the planet safely Lieutenant. And tell Azonei that last race wasn’t a fluke! It’s been an honor serving with you all.” smiled Soran.

  “You have my word.” Masters promised.

  Doing a series of evasive barrel rolls, Soran used his elemental abilities to bond a massive plasma ball and combined it with his Starfighter in a sacrifice move. As his ship exploded, it wiped out the Engi squadron and cleared the entrance to the Interstellar Arc. The few remaining members of delta squadron drifted powerlessly in nearby space. Crippled by the blast, they awaited the arrival of the other fleets.

  “Oh this is great, we’re sitting ducks and we’ve been abandoned by the other races. Soran died for nothing!” gloomed Starfighter delta five.

  “Enough delta five! Soran made a choice. And he died a hero because he had hope. Nothing you say can take that from him. The other fleets are coming and as long as we’re breathing we’re going to protect this wormhole by any means necessary. Just as he did.” remarked Masters.