The Atlanteans of Proxima b: Chapter 6

6th - 10th September in the Year of Our Lord 2732

Mar 28, 2025

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Captain's Log, 6^th September in the Year of Our Lord 2732

0900 Hours

I am alive, for now. I do not know what came of Rex Haverham, I pray he is still roaming the overtown, enjoying himself. God knows someone has to be.

I am in the undertown, deep down, in fact the cell is entirely carved into subsurface rock so I am probably below the undertown, in the infamous tunnels. Food and water have been served through a letterbox in the door, bread and water only. I have no seen another person since they caught me outside that room with the weird egg shaped thing.

0930 Hours

The rock is not carved by human tools but appears more like a mix of running water and some sort of organic compound that has left the surface pockmarked in places while the water has left it smooth in others, neither are evident now however. Water suggests evidence of underground rivers and aquifers, which while fascinating is not particularly surprising given the immense presence of water on the surface, both fresh and salt.

1000 Hours

A breakfast of flatbread and a cup of water has been delivered much later than usual. No sign of anyone, perhaps I will be left down here to rot. And why not? Not like anyone knows I am here, the Council probably assume I am dead and would never send a search party out regardless. They refused to acknowledge my mission and. are probably glad to be rid of me, likely Rex too.

I should not be so callous, I am sure a great many of the colonists I shepherded here to Proxima b are concerned for my wellbeing, even members of the Council.

That changes nothing, I will still rot here. Forgotten.

If only I’d stayed in my apartment.

1200 Hours

Returning to what I saw in the undertown… I cannot make head nor tails of it. That… thing, shaped like an egg, a rugby ball, furry and moving — was it moving, I cannot remember — whatever it was it was living or at least organic but what sort of flora or fauna would require such protective gear from the Atlanteans. My escapades have created more questions and now I will never have answers.

1430 Hours

I hear voices.

1600 Hours

Akakios visited along with a senior member of the Ecclesia, a governing body or something similar, he did not explain in certain terms, anyway he was a grey haired man wearing a toga called Solon. The toga appears to be a garment denoting rank or importance within populace. Akakios does not wear one even though he clearly important. The older man, Solon, couldn’t speak my language and so Akakios translated. I was not at liberty to ask questions, though I tried, but I was informed of some things.

What I witnessed was no secret to the Atlanteans but it was meant to remain one to me and Rex Haverham. Rex, while on the subject, was re-imprisoned following my adventures as a precaution. While I protested Akakios made it clear there was no point and he would not translate what I said. Exactly what I saw they still have not told me with any clarity but the gist seems to be that something lives under the ground, in the tunnels, that attacks and harms the Atlanteans. How, why, since when, were not discussed.

I offered the services of my fellow colonists, after all we have biologists of every stripe, botanists, chemists, and a great deal of other skilled people that could offer assistance. The offer was refused by Akakios and then Solon as if the member of the Ecclesia took direction from the non-member. I do not understand the political structure here.

Finally, Solon informed me I am to be returned to my apartments, as is Rex, under house arrest. I was never meant to be deposited down in the lowest dungeon but the soldiers who found me didn’t know what else to do.

1900 Hours

I am back in my apartment. Solon failed to stipulate that Rex would be sharing my apartment. Rex speaks almost constantly, reading out loud, sharing his thoughts with himself. I may go mad and escape would be impossible as there is a soldier on every window and door.

Captain’s Log, 9th September in the Year of Our Lord 2732

1000 Hours

Rex reads his Bible every morning, something I have not done since I was a child. He reads it out loud too, which would be pleasant except he is constantly talking. I ask questions just to stop him. I am exhausted. He says he has tried to convert a few of the Atlanteans to Christ but the language barrier as proven insurmountable to him. He thinks we should ask Taliesin to translate the most crucial books and passages to distribute as pamphlets. I reminded him we are under house arrest and unlikely to see home again. He didn’t have a response, perhaps I was too harsh but I see little point in imagining a future that cannot be.

1100 Hours

Since finishing his reading Rex has been relentless in his pestering, before it was about the world outside but after numerous days with nothing happening he has turned his powers of observation and analysis onto me, interrogating me to unpick all that I am and have been.

God help me.

1115 Hours

Faith has bubbled up into our conversation. He is making some hot drink that he learned from the Atlanteans, a rarity in itself given. the constant sunlight makes one crave cold drinks rather than hot ones. I must think of a way to divert the conversation from faith, I’d much rather discuss the Atlanteans or figure out a means of escape however hopeless it may be.

1330 Hours

I have taken to reading the Bible to stop Rex from talking. He insists I read out loud like the monks did over a thousand years ago. I obliged to keep him quiet.

1500 Hours

“Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.” - Saint Matthew 7:7

1900 Hours

I have retreated to my bed though it is early and for the first time in many years I have knelt before God and asked him for guidance, I would ask for something more specific but I know not what I need.

2130 Hours

“But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins.” - 1 Saint Peter 4:8

Captain’s Log, 10th September in the Year of Our Lord 2732

0245 Hours

All I can do is ask. All I can do is offer.

0300 Hours

Our ever present guards did not understand my words but they understood what I wanted, at least I hope they did. One of them marched off. Rex has, mercifully, remained sleeping.

0330 Hours

It is providence that the soldier that marched off brought Korinna to talk with me and not Akakios. She appeared gaunt and grey around the eyes. I did not ask any questions regarding what I had seen, nor did I pry about the infertility, all I said was that I wanted to help.

Korinna wept. She and her husband have separated due to being unable to have children, though she knows it is not an issue with either of them in a genetic sense but rather one of environment and would do anything to fix it. I assured her my colony would try anything to fix it, they have to. For our own sake, for God’s sake.

Now all we have to do is convince the Ecclesia, and, I imagine, Akakios.