Chapter 18

The next day and a half saw Mark spending much of his time in the gym sparring with people, playing sports and spending time with his various ladies.

The Commander announced over the ship’s intercom, “We will arrive at Atlanterra within the centar, finish up what you are doing and check in with your units. Exit the ship in a calm and orderly fashion. We will post the shuttle schedule ... light first, transitioning to dark.”

Mark asked, “What does he mean by ‘light first, transitioning to dark’?”

Liyana explained, “When a ship like this returns home, the crew gets planet leave, so the first shuttles to leave are the ones going to the side of the planet the sun is shining on, starting where the day is transitioning to night, then shuttles take people to their parts of the planet, so they arrive during the day. We will arrive just before noon at the palace, but we are also not subject to the personnel shuttle schedule.”

Everyone met in the landing bay next to Maren’s shuttle. The shuttle was going to be packed! There were 12 of them and one was Candy! They discussed where everyone was going to sit, basing it on the order they were going to get out. Since Mark was going to be the last one out, he sat in the copilot seat.

Liyana and Gyges would be the first to exit, so they would sit at the back. Elisha, Gerald and Annabelle would exit next, Gerald was the only one with luggage, but he was only going to carry his camera. Annabelle was going to carry his luggage, so it would appear as though she were part of the camera crew. Then the girls would exit, so Liyana could announce them to the crowd. Candy would obviously exit first, followed by the others. Mark would exit alone last. Maren was going to stay on the shuttle, since she wasn’t much for public appearances.

Cricket spoke to Mark. “Now that we’re back on Atlanterra and I’m connected to absolutely everything, I found out about your cousin and the research team. The Prince ordered the termination of the project and had everyone involved with it killed. Everyone that had already rotated home suddenly died and everyone that was on the island was spaced out an airlock. It looks like they left your cousin on the island to drown when the island deconstructed.”

Everyone could see Mark’s demeanour change as he sat in the front seat.

Rayven was closest and asked, “Mark, are you OK?”

“Not really! Now that Cricket has connected to the planetary network, she looked into my cousin and that research island. The Prince found out, terminated the project, killed everyone that knew about Adam that had already rotated back. Then took everyone on the island and put them out an airlock into space and left my cousin to drown on the island when it deconstructed.”

Annabelle said, “You’re going to make this bastard pay aren’t you?”

“Definitely!” Mark said as he looked around and made sure everyone was wearing their belts. The only people that would be unprotected were Gerald and Elisha.

Liyana sensed his thoughts and assured him, “I will get them as far away from the shuttle as possible.”

Soon the Commander announced, “The ship is now in orbit, shuttles may depart.”

They boarded the shuttle and were on their way within a minute. Everyone was nervous and you could sense it in the ship. Gyges was probably the most relaxed person in the shuttle. After all, his job was being a bodyguard, so that’s what he was doing.

Within a few minutes, the shuttle was touching down at the palace. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. It was huge, and white with a blue roof on the towers and perfectly manicured landscaping around it.

They were landing at the official palace landing area, which was just outside the main palace entrance, and there was a gentle upward sloping hill around the landing zone, making it perfect for people to watch official events like this. They packed the place with people and media crews.

The senators were a well-formed group of people wearing white togas with a blue sash, arranged on the palace steps. There was a podium positioned at the bottom with a path up the steps, between the groups of senators, close to the podium was a man in blue and gold, Mark guessed that was the Prince.

Based on the position of the landing zone in relation to the senators, it was unlikely that they would try blowing up the shuttle itself, as it would kill most, if not all, of the senators and likely the Prince, which would effectively kill the government. So the assassination attempt would likely be from a laser or projectile weapon of some sort.

Maren landed smoothly, and there was a collective breath of relief when the ramp started opening.

Cricket had two drones in the shuttle and sent them out to scan the crowd as they lowered the ramp. It only took seconds to identify where the three shooters were and that they were using traditional ballistic guns.

Liyana and Gyges exited first, and Liyana walked down to the podium. Gyges remained at the end of the shuttle ramp standing beside another security guard. Cricket had informed Gyges where the shooters were before Liyana had reached the podium and Gyges informed the other security where the shooters were, but to not make a move until they made their move.

Liyana announced, “People of Atlanterra, I am ambassador Liyana and I have brought back several distinguished guests today. Exiting the shuttle now is a news crew from the planet Earth. They are the first visitors from our ancestral world, please give them room to operate, as they are broadcasting this event back to Earth.”

Gerald, Elisha and Annabelle exited the shuttle, looked around and walked to an area in front of Liyana, but away from the steps and Gerald setup there.

Liyana then announced, “At last, after ten yahren, we have recovered the trade representatives that crashed on Earth. I introduce you to Candaules, Laruun and T’Soona from Savann, as well as Rayven and Solara from Atria,” making sure she said the names in the correct order as they exited the shuttle.

Liyana gave them time to walk across the landing pad to the bottom of the stairs near the news crew.

Liyana then announced, “Finally, as I’m sure you all have heard, while I was on Earth I ran into a man whose genetic signature shows he is a direct descendant of Atlas, the first King of Atlantis. We have run many tests, and all have confirmed the same findings. This man is rightfully our new King! It is now my pleasure to introduce Mark Phoenix!”

Mark exited the shuttle, and once he was a few metres away from the shuttle, he stopped and waved to the crowd. All 3 shooters fired simultaneously, Mark hit the ground like they had shot him. He hadn’t of course, as his personal shield protected him, but he wanted the Prince to think they had succeeded.

People started screaming and running, but security was quick to inform everyone that they had caught the shooters and that everything was OK, and to top it off they had video of all three taking their shot.

The drones could’ve stopped the shooters, but since it was ballistic-based and Mark had a personal shield, they let the shooters shoot so they could record some actual footage for proof. The network had actually had another camera watching the Prince ... as soon as they took the shots and Mark fell down; the Prince had a big smile on his face.

When Senator Rigat walked to the podium and asked for calm, everyone seemed to stop and listen. Since none of the Senators had moved from their positions, people realized they must be safe, so many were returning.

The Senator spoke, “What we have witnessed today was an unprecedented act of cowardice. The shooters are in custody, although I doubt we will learn anything new since we actually found out about our cowardly Prince’s plan several days ago.”

The look on the Prince’s face was one of complete astonishment at being called a coward. As security came to detain him, his face turned red, and he started demanding for people to be arrested and that he was going to have people’s heads.

The Senator continued, “The senate has already met with our new King and he has our full support. Your reign as Prince of the Federation has ended.”

The Prince was shocked, “You can’t talk to me that way, I am the King, your new King is dead!”

The Senator rebuffed, “You were never the King, and you were a disgrace to our people as a Prince,” he then turned towards Mark, who was still lying on the steps, “My King, you can get up now!”

There was a collective gasp from everyone in attendance as Mark got up and flexed his arm a few times, since he fell in a kind of awkward position.

The Prince looked astounded, “But how? They shot you three times!”

The Senator smiled, “Thank you for that information, I hadn’t mentioned there were three shooters. Guards, please get this coward out of my sight. Also clean up the Prince’s room, and tell his friends they must find new accommodations,” he then turned back to the microphone. “Mark Phoenix, please join us at the podium.”

Mark finished his walk to the podium as the Senator pulled out an old paper scroll and read, “Mark Phoenix, raise your right hand if you are prepared to take this vow?”

Mark raised his right hand and said, “I am,” as he kept his hand raised.

“Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of the Atlantean Federation, according to the laws and customs agreed on by the Senate and settle any disputes they may have, to the best of your ability?”

Mark said, “I promise to do so.”

“Do you also promise to be benevolent as you serve and protect the Federation and all its realms?”

Mark said, “I promise to do so.”

A man and two women approached the podium, the man carried a silver trident, one woman carried a blue pillow with silver trim, upon which lay the three pointed silver crown of Poseidon. The last woman carried an official blue robe.

Mark was handed the trident and the man and woman adorned him with a royal blue robe. The Senator then lifted the crown off the pillow and placed it upon Mark’s head, before turning back to the podium and announcing, “I introduce to you, our thirty-third King ... All Hail King Phoenix!”

The crowd all bowed, then cheered and repeated, “All Hail King Phoenix!”

Mark then stepped up to the podium for his first speech as King, “People of Atlanterra and across the Federation, I look forward to advancing our civilization and influence throughout the universe, starting with our ancestral world, which I have had the privilege of calling my home for over 50 yahren. I plan to tour Atlanterra and the other Federated planets eventually, but first I will meet with the senators and appointing my advisors over the next few days. Thank You!”

The crowd continued to cheer as Mark waved to the crowd, then followed Senator Rigat up the stairs and into the palace, as the other senators filed in behind them.

Mark thought there would be more of a ceremony, but it was a simple oath and coronation. A testament to the simple straight-forward, no beating around the bush style of the Federation.

The palace was beautiful, the entire place seemed open and airy, but the floors and walls, which looked and felt like marble, were not, as their temperature was consistent, whether in shade or sun.

Nestled in a valley with large snow-topped mountains surrounding the entire area, and a large crystal clear lake covering most of the valley floor. The structure on the edge of a mountain lake reminded Mark, Annabelle, Elisha and Gerald of the Chateau Lake Louise.

The landing pad was on the West side of the building and there was a large round building that looked a lot like an old gladiator style arena on the north side of the landing pad connected to the palace by a wide, covered sidewalk.

The palace had three wings to it, the central section twice the length of the other two sections which angled east toward the lake. The lake was about 30 metres from the palace with a large stone patio, then beautifully manicured grass down to the white sand beach.

The beach didn’t surround the entire lake, but it covered the entire western edge of the lake near the palace. It also appeared to extend quite a distance out into the water.

There were several tree covered islands out in the lake, Liyana said, “Almost all the islands have at least one picnic table on them,” she then pointed to a small building, floating out in the water to the south of the palace, with a dock leading to the shore, “That is the boathouse which has some pedal boats and paddle boards.”

Mark asked, “How big is the lake?”

Liyana said, “It varies in width, but it is roughly 10 kilometres long. There are 21 islands in the lake, and it ends at a former volcano where the peak has collapsed into itself. So the very end of the lake is a big round area with a large rocky island in the middle. By the way, I noticed you used our terms for years and days in your speech, that was nice.”

“I figured I should probably start using those now that I will be working with eleven planets.”

After looking out at the lake, Liyana took Mark, Annabelle, Elisha, Gerald and the girls on a tour of the palace.

The palace itself had 552 rooms, 100 of which were for the senators. When they were sitting, 25 rooms were for palace staff and the rest of the rooms were for advisors, reporters, guests and the monarchy. The royal wing was the top floor of the north wing.

It really was uncanny how much it was like the chateau, but the difference was there weren’t any restaurants. The ground level was nothing but tables, meeting rooms, and a few types of chairs. As they walked around the place, all Mark could think about was what a waste it was. They only used this huge, beautiful building for a few weeks each year.

Mark asked Liyana, “How many senators are there again?”

Liyana smiled, “100 now, the palace is close to 1,000 yahren, from a period in time, before the senate committee existed, when the King used to meet directly with the regents.”

Mark just looked disappointed, “Such magnificent beauty, yet such a waste of space and resources!”

When they got to the kitchen, Liyana introduced them all to the head chef who looked surprised and immediately said, “I just sent the herald to tell the senators that lunch was just about ready, and suggested they go to the dining hall.”

Liyana directed them to the dining hall and to the head table at the far end of the room. Mark sat in the big throne-like chair in the middle, Annabelle sat on his right and Liyana sat on his left. Everyone else sat in chairs on either side of them, all facing the rest of the tables.

Once seated, the senators began filing into the dining hall and sitting at the various tables. Soon after, the wait staff started serving the meals, obviously with the head table first.

Liyana could sense that Mark did not like all the protocols he was being subjected to.

Mark looked at Liyana, “Is this part of protocol, or am I allowed to make some changes around here?”

Liyana said, “The protocols mainly deal with how people interact with you, my King. You would need to ask a senator who would know the rules better than I. What are you thinking about changing?”

Mark said, “Oh just about everything,” and then he stopped and thought for a second, “I see this big beautiful building, with breathtaking scenery and all the staff that live here and are likely paid all year round and it’s used for a couple of weeks each year. Can we actually turn this into a hotel or something like the embassy or the ranch even? Someplace the public can go, with bathhouses, restaurants, bars, etc.”

Liyana said, “I think the palace you can do pretty much anything you want with, the only thing you can’t touch is the senate chamber, but propose your changes to the senate and see what they say, or at least talk to a senator.”

After they finished the meal, she took them up to the royal quarters. The master bedroom was massive, it was like a big one-room house only without a kitchen and it had a huge hot tub out on the rooftop patio.

Mark saw the room and thought, “This is as good a place as any to live when I’m on this planet.”

Unlike the previous monarchs, he wasn’t planning on living there constantly, but didn’t want the staff to be bored and the building to be mostly empty and unused.

After the tour was over, they assigned Elisha, Gerald, and the girls’ rooms in the royal wing. Each of the rooms was opulent and fair-sized and, upon Mark’s insistence, Liyana, Gyges and Maren got assigned rooms in the royal wing as well.

That night everyone was sitting out on Mark’s patio looking at the stars.

Laruun asked, “What is going to happen to us now?”

Liyana said, “The senate will speak to you all. All of your positions have new representatives. So you can choose pretty much anything, you could settle down and live here or you could return to your home planets.”

Rayven smiled and said, “I would like to return home so they know I’m still alive, but I would like to stay with Mark and Annabelle, if they will have me.”

Solara smiled, “The same goes for me, I couldn’t have said it better myself, Rayven.”

T’Soona said she also wanted to stay, but Candy and Laruun said they would like to go home. Candy said that being around her own kind on the embassy had her longing to run on the open plains with others. Laruun nodded and agreed.

Mark looked at Annabelle, then smiled and looked around at everyone, “Candy and Laruun we will miss you, please message us now and then so we know you’re OK, and if you’re ever on Atlanterra, or Earth, stop by and say, ‘Hi’. As for the rest of you, I’m glad you’re staying. I know we have only been together for a few months, but you’re like family to us and we would appreciate your continued companionship.”

Since they all had their plans and it was getting late, everyone started retiring to their own rooms to go to sleep. Rayven stayed with Mark and Annabelle as usual.

When it was just the three of them left, Annabelle and Rayven stripped off their clothes and got in the hot tub. It felt good to relax after the stressful day.

Mark exited the hot tub first and dried off, when he had to go to the washroom. Prompting Annabelle and Rayven to get out and dry off as well. When Mark exited the washroom, he found Rayven fucking Annabelle on the edge of the bed.

Rayven smiled at Mark as she moved up a bit higher and spread her legs. Not knowing if this would work with Annabelle, Mark moved around behind Rayven, started kissing her neck and fondling her breasts, while her pussy rubbed along his cock as she fucked Annabelle.