The Atlanteans of Proxima b: Chapter 7

14th - 17th September in the Year of Our Lord 2732

Apr 04, 2025

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Captain's Log, 14th September in the Year of Our Lord 2732

0900 Hours

If we are to achieve a flourishing human society on a planet outside of the Sol System we must solve whatever ecological problem besets Proxima b. Korinna told me some of the Atlantean's history that they had avoided translating for me in that little pamphlet of theirs.

The problem did not begin straight away, in fact it took centuries to even start due to differing genetics that I do not fully understand. Somehow the flora and fauna the Atlantean's brought from Gaia – Earth – melded with that found on Proxima b, after many generations of what could only be described as a 'war in nature'. Once Earth flora and fauna was assimilated into the Proxima b ecology the problems began, slowly at first and then all at once. A crisis a thousand years in the making but critical within a generation or two; population collapse. Akakios is one of the lucky ones and for his luck he is heralded as a champion amongst his people and afforded many privileges, as are other parents in his cohort. The likelihood of him becoming a grandfather is almost nil.

All because of a funny little egg-like subterranean... thing. It's not a plant, but not an animal or insect, it is something else. A great many native species, plant and animal, rely on its excretions, or in the case of some cave dwelling predator the whole egg-thing. Anyway, those excretions are causing damage to the Atlanteans but without the excretions all plant life on the surface would die due to the perpetual day. That is about as much as I understood from what she said, it was all very fast.

I need to secure a sample and somehow get it back to my colony for investigation. Korinna is going to attempt to request it through official channels.

1300 Hours

Korinna has secured a session with the Ecclesia but I cannot attend. Non-citizens are forbidden, though that particular law has not mattered since their time back on Gaia but they have sworn to keep the old ways and so I must rely on Korinna to impart my offer and convince them to lend my colony a sample.

I do not know if my own Council are willing to help, I would hope Christian charity would embody them all. If not...

There is a darker future if we do secure the samples and my people refuse to reveal the findings. I will not contemplate that as I do not want to imagine watching an entire peoples perish when there are already so few of us on Proxima b to begin with.

1600 Hours

The Ecclesia were unconvinced.

Akakios argued against Korinna and he is not even a member of the Ecclesia. I suppose his elevated station amongst the ruins is preferable to the continuation of his ethnos.

What Korinna did establish was the desire amongst a minority of the Ecclesia and a great deal of the demos for assistance from anywhere. Some are desperate. Being the last of your kind would do that I imagine.

Captain's Log, 16^th September in the Year of Our Lord 2732

Rex has an idea.

Captain's Log, 17^th September in the Year of Our Lord 2732

0000 Hours

Our guards are sympathetic to my offer and have agreed to turn a blind eye to what I am about to do. Rex's idea is insane but it appears to be the only path open to us. I must retrace my steps to the undertown and steal or find a sample, thankfully Korinna has provided me with a map this time as well as information on patrols and surveillance. She has said the creatures are not difficult to find in the tunnels and that it will be easier to find one than to steal one.

There are dangers to the tunnels, however. Those dangers are the reason the Atlanteans have soldiers. I can only pray I do not encounter whatever it is, Korinna knew of its existence but not details. Knowledge is hoarded by these people like gold.

0100 Hours

I stand before the entrance to the subterranean tunnel network. The “door” is a foot or more of thick steel with a complicated locking mechanism. It looks more like defence against something. Korinna provided me with the code. I did not ask how she got it, I assume she just had it, though I think she is capable of a great deal for even a chance to see this plan succeed.

0130 Hours

There was a set of bones on the other side of the door, oddly long and thin, black too, with far too many minute teeth littering the dirt. Definitely not human.

The tunnels are damp, the air is thick and cloying making me feel like I am ill. Breathing is difficult. Small patches of glowing something, algae perhaps, grows on the rock. I don't know how long I can manage, at least the torch one of the soldier's outside my apartment provided is powerful enough to dispel the darkness. Korinna asked for something else and he said no, but she did not translate for my benefit. The only other tool he had on him was his spear.

0200 Hours

The temperature has risen drastically as I have descended. There has been numerous off shoots, most are dead ends on the map, but some look to go on for miles and miles until the map becomes blank. It is like looking at a leaf under a microscope, as if the entire planet is one giant network of veins.

0230 Hours

I have yet to find an egg-thing but I hear something else, the sound is a mix of a growl and a screech unlike anything I ever heard on Earth.

The air remains thick and hot but it has not gotten worse and I have stopped coughing, thank God.

0300 Hours

Circumstances have forced me down an unmapped section, though the map is attempting to fill in the gaps but is only partially successful. I have switched off the torch for fear of whatever prowls the caves.

0330 Hours

It is a dead end. A dead end home to what I came for. The “egg” is strangely light, rubbery beneath the fur, and smells putrid. There was a reason I saw Atlanteans in protective suits but all I have are gloves. Now to hope that that other creature has not followed me down here.

My eyes have become accustomed to the dark and the faint light from the algae is just enough to illuminate the tunnels so I avoid walking into the walls or any boulders. My steps are slow and short, partly so I can navigate and partly because any faster and I would run out of breath.

0445 Hours

I am close to the route back, the strange flora I carry is not particularly heavy but it is awkward and I have to rest frequently. It cannot move on its own nor does it have roots. Animal or plant, I have no idea.

0500 Hours

There is a skittering coming from my route out. I must continue in the dark and be quick about it.

0515 Hours

Whatever creature prowls these tunnels is getting closer. I am so close to the door back into the undertown...

0520 Hours

I saw it. It was just a shadow in shadows but I saw its outline. I have to hurry.

0530 Hours

The door is ahead, the keypad is softly lit up. What was the code again?

The beast is close. Too close. It screeches and skitters closer.

The door is slow to open. The beast is close.

I'm through. The beast is on the other side, too many spindly legs to count and a maw of glowing teeth. Some defence system around the door vaporised it before it could get through after me leaving only a second pile of sable bones.

Now all I have to do is return to my apartment... unseen.

0630 Hours

I made it back but I am certain I was seen by someone, though the streets were curiously quiet. I coughed up some black ichor once I was in the overtown, breathing is easier but not the same as it was.

Now it is up to Korinna and Rex Haverham... I pray to God he can convince the Council.

0900 Hours

Korinna has secured transport but Rex has to leave with the egg-thing now. Two of our house guards are willing to escort him under some pretence of misbehaviour but she must go to. The ship will have him back in our colony by the afternoon and then... well, then all I can do is wait and see.

I did not have time to ask about the spindly legged predator I encountered in the tunnels but I suspect it the reason the Atlanteans have soldiers.

1000 Hours

Korinna has yet to return. Maybe she went with him? That wasn't the plan, though the ship was to remain behind with a single person, I don't know who, so a message could be transmitted back to Korinna.

1100 Hours

Korinna has returned, flustered.

1110 Hours

Akakios has called by. He knows what I have done, he knows what Korinna has done. He accused her of being a traitor and told her she was finished. She said she had nothing left to lose and broke down into tears.

Akakios left without saying a word, though his face was thunder.

All we can do is wait.