The Atlanteans of Proxima b: Chapter 4
26th - 30th August in the Year of Our Lord 2732
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Captain's Log, 26th August in the Year of Our Lord 2732
I have re-read the short book on the history of the Opli – Atlanteans. It is less Earth heavy than I originally thought but it is still the dominant theme. They too left Earth, or Gaia as they call her, on a one way trip expecting others to follow. None did and the initial two thousand were, it seems, abandoned. Given the lack of Atlantean's in Earth's history beyond being used as a philosophical device by Plato and given mythological weight by later generations it seems something catastrophic occurred. Perhaps Plato was right that they offended their gods and Atlantis fell beneath the waves. Yet still they pray to their Pantheon (is there a Mount Olympus on Proxima?). Father Cooperson is right the Opli need converting to Christ, but I do not believe it is my calling to do so. Or maybe some natural disaster destroyed their civilisation and sent humanity back thousands of years, who knows. All I know is I am still stuck indoors without any ability to contact Akakios or Korinna and must wait for them.
Captain's Log, 27th August in the Year of Our Lord 2732
The Atlanteans have spent a great deal of their time on Proxima b mapping and connecting underground caverns. My colony have not found anything like that on the west coast but according to the short translated history the east coast of the continent is criss-crossed with thousands of tunnels and caves, some natural some not and some built by the Atlanteans themselves. I would like to see these maps.
Within the first years they had moved underground for part of the year and lived above ground the majority of the year, the book does not say why, at least not directly. Instead it speaks of something “that disturbs the surface of Opli making it impossible to live.” We have not come across anything like that back home.
Home. Strange. That is the first time I have used the word to describe the colony. I suppose now I am away from the colony with no way back to Earth it has become my home... That happened quicker than I thought and has made me feel cold, as if I have lost a member of the family. I know I have been away from Earth for over thirty years but the time travelling was unreal, with cryosleep taking up the majority of it. I doubt I would recognise Earth if I saw her now, but the colony I would know. I wonder when and what we will name our new home.
Captain's Log, 28th August in the Year of Our Lord 2732
0900 Hours
Akakios and Korinna called very early to see if I had questions about the short history. I relayed them and instead of answering they wrote them down and went to ask others. Hopefully I do not have to wait too long.
1100 Hours
The pair returned. Answers, so many answers that have lead to more questions. If only I were allowed out into the city!
1300 Hours
Akakios returned on his own for a short while, he said I would be allowed to wander the city. An apartment was being prepared for me. He warned me to “mind my step” and that the other Atlanteans are not best pleased by my coming. I think Father Cooperson's idea of having me play missionary would go down poorly and have me end up back in prison. First I need to gain their trust, or at least their acceptance.
1400 Hours
Before I leave I should make a note of the answers I was given.
The Atlanteans arrived and were surprised the planet was tidally locked. The turning of the stars is vitally important to their faith and so they chose the east coast which is closest to where day turns to night, although it happens far out to sea and for the first few centuries they had a sea worthy ship that would take priests and worshippers out for the required festivals and holy days. Something happened to the ship and they couldn't build another, I was not told why.
While the permanent sun means crops grow abundantly it appears they do not anymore and only a handful of grains and vegetables now grow in abundance while others repeatedly fail, again the why was left out but I suspect it has some connection to the thing that “disturbs the surface”.
The initial population of 2000 grew a great deal, up to over 300'000 at some point many centuries ago with multiple settlements, as we saw from orbit aboard The Ark, but they now only have one settlement with above and below ground sections. Again the details were glossed over.
The Atlantean's began living underground part of the year to try and simulate a day-night cycle. They would emerge for the “day” and descend for the “night”. It worked but during harvest and large building projects they simply continued above ground. This answer is different to what the book describes, perhaps there was a translation error or omittance of details.
1415 Hours
Akakios has returned. My apartment is ready.
Captain's Log, 29th August in the Year of Our Lord 2732
That was the best sleep I have had in years. Akakios invited me for dinner with his family, wife, two children, and a younger brother. It was extravagant and the wine never stopped flowing. I am going to return to bed to recover.
Captain's Log, 30th August in the Year of Our Lord 2732
0900 Hours
I will venture into the city proper today. I doubt I will be able to speak with anyone but just seeing how the Atlanteans live will be enough.
1100 Hours
I have found a secluded park with budding trees and flowing fountains. There are some people who have followed me and are watching from a distance, along with two soldiers/police/guards, I don't know, but they have become my shadows.
I will start with the people. The majority are short, much shorter than the soldiers or Akakios, his family, and Korinna. I'd estimate the average height is around 1 metre 30 centimetres, or four and a half foot. While Akakios is almost 2 metres tall and the soldiers similar, though one following me is shorter and stockier than his comrades. I cannot see why this discrepancy exists.
The overtown, as they call it, is idyllic. The flowers always bloom, oranges and lemons hang from trees lining the streets, and the buildings are cool, while channels of running water stream by every road to reduce the heat. It helps but only a little. The copious amounts of shade is what is best.
I have not seen anyone working, nor do the people who follow me around seem particularly fit, except the soldiers. Maybe everyone is in the fields or in the undertown mapping and mining.
1500 Hours
I found a place to eat lunch. I cannot read the language and no one understands me, nor I them, so I pointed to what someone else was having, a meatless salad of some sort. It was delicious, though they had no wine, only water.
1700 Hours
On my return to the apartment I found a wilted garden. Not an autumnal wilt but like that from disease, the soil was quite pallid too. The few people around ignored it.
1800 Hours
Korinna called by and invited me for dinner with her family. A chance for questions I hope.
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