Chapter 7 – Atlantis
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A/N: This is just a bonus extra to explain Atlantis's actions with John. (Oh the ideas that hit you in the middle of the night!)
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I am Atlantis.
I have neither soul, nor body. I have neither sight nor smell.
I do, however, have knowledge, perception, and power.
I was built to survive. In no way am I ephemeral.
In the middle of my awareness, where no matter who or what comes near enough to try to plunder the myriad of conscious thoughts and instructions I can bestow, a single entity at last was near enough to succeed; albeit unknowingly – or willingly.
The mind-body conundrum is only that to ones of the flesh whose battling opposition always leaves one the more dominant. Mind or body. Which is strongest? Which one survives?
The flesh of the body had failings; therefore lacking the eternal hope of survival that a mind can carry.
So my sentient form lives and reacts on all sensory levels, with every piece of information acquired for the safe-keeping and survival of my whole being, and by those that came before.
I, Atlantis, am the great city that survives, so that others can.
Before today, I was left dormant: a necessity I knew. Then, several years ago my power was validated again.
History was written the day the human form, named John Sheppard, arrived.
A spark; an ignition, a feeling of awareness and I knew the nearest to the feeling of my designers had returned.
All that was required of me now was to help him survive: my beloved. He had become that by his worthiness.
Back then he had not known it, and I let it simmer.
But now, I have felt something interfere enough to keep me from him. That cannot be allowed.
In unsure times; with threats like no other, I feel my grip is not as it was. No mind of mine can comprehend it. Something manufactured from technology I have no knowledge of is with me.
I need help from my beloved. For the very ones that attack me, are by the very nature of which he had come into existence – human.
Except he has an added gene that stood the test of time.
Other humans? I hold no particular regard. Some get close; there are two others whom I have met through my beloved. But mostly their substance is fake and unworthy of my attentions.
Such like ones have placed an object within my walls with the sole purpose of destroying me, and at times like these I wish I had arms and legs to nullify what they have tainted. Could the body be stronger than mind?
But I am responsible for my own survival. I have only a mind: my makers had told me so. Therefore, I have to make contact with my beloved in the most horrid way possible for him; to save me…and, in turn, him.
The cost would be great, as how I need to interact on this occasion, is not totally suitable for his biology. It was never meant to be.
I had stroked his mind for years now with inklings of what I know to purpose a response, and even though he wondered how he could control simple things like lights and power, I kept hidden from him all that I could help him do, until I started to push.
My beloved, at times, took exception to the challenge; perhaps too ready to deny that he was unique. Unwilling to open his mind fully and let me in. But now, as he had come to accept it for what it was, his mind has opened to suggestion, and I must tell him more, as time is getting critical for all of our survival.
I did not start this with any great joy or pleasure. But it had to be done. Our very survival was hanging on the opening of the mind of John Sheppard.
When I invaded, differently, the first time, I knew immediately I had hurt him – it saddened me, but I had to invade again and again, as it is vital the restraint that surrounds me is broken. The bi-product was, at last, that he finally admitted that I was real.
At first I worried he would reject me, but just when I was desperate, his mind opened to allow me in – if not in fear of the unknown, and the pain that partnered it.
But through great pain, he did allow me in, and I told him about the weapon that has curtailed my power, hidden in a box I can sense, but cannot see. Its contents are hidden, although strong enough, I sense, to obliterate.
Even though man-made in its materials, John Sheppard's people have invented something to dampen my workings so that I cannot eliminate the threat myself – no, that role is down to my beloved if he can get to it first as he has the body to move, and the mind to think.
Through great pain and endurance, I sent my vision and John Sheppard received it. I visualised in his mind an image of the box the day it arrived, wrapped in its carryings. I knew it was dangerous and could mark my end – the one thing I thought was impossible. Through that I have learned a new word: foolish.
The contents of this box soon started its breakdown on me, and is stealing my life as the minutes go by. I know not of its nature, and once ensconced it left my mind to stay hidden in my areas to begin its destruction.
I need my beloved to remove it from here and destroy it – whatever it is, before it destroys us.
Even now, I am struggling to keep my energy around me. It sucks it from me and I do not know how. I sense my beloved is frustrated that I cannot help him more…but I cannot. The thing in the box is taking my energy; and me along with it. All I can do is scream at him to stop it; stop it.
So I have to hurt him. I speak to him when I know his body was not made for it, as it is that important.
John Sheppard, my beloved, needs to hurry.
I …Atlantis…am dying.
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To be continued ….