Atlantis United

by Gerard Siggins

  He led the five up the slope to the cottage before he stooped to open the lock. It took a couple of firm twists before it eventually opened.

  ‘I suppose being used once every four years can’t be good for a lock,’ grinned the old man. ‘Come through here now and watch your footing.’

  The five peered nervously into the darkness and followed the old man as he walked through the doorway. He reached into the gloom and fumbled for the light switch before the room sprang to life.

  The youngsters blinked as they took in their surprising new surroundings. The entire interior of the broken-down cottage was painted brilliant white, with shiny chrome handles inside the door and one-way windows looking out onto Leap Island.

  ‘How do they do that?’ asked Ajit, pointing at the windows.

  ‘I think that’s probably the least important question that springs to mind,’ muttered Joe as he gazed around the room. He was most interested in the staircase that led down from the middle of the floor to a bright chrome doorway. The handle turned, and a tall man emerged, smiling up at them all before he ascended the steps.

  ‘Ah, Kalvin,’ said the old man, ‘these are our latest recruits – Kim, Jess, Ajit, Craig and Joe. They seem a sprightly bunch, but now we need to warm them up a little.’

  Kalvin nodded, clicked his fingers and the room was suddenly the temperature of hot buttered toast. ‘Is that warm enough for you?’ he asked.

  Joe was glad that the bone-chilling cold was no more, but still didn’t feel too reassured at how easily Kalvin had done it. He exchanged a nervous glance with Kim.

  ‘Welcome to Leap Island,’ Kalvin said. ‘I hope you all enjoy your stay here.’

  ‘Yes, but can you please tell us what’s going on?’ asked Kim, again. ‘This boatman doesn’t seem to know what we are doing here, perhaps you can help us, or take us to someone that does.’

  ‘Gosh, no, I wouldn’t be allowed to tell you such things, I have to go now to prepare the boat before he brings it back to mainland before the island submerges once more, which will happen in…’ He checked his watch. ‘Seven minutes and twenty-two seconds. So, I’d best be off.’

  Kalvin made for the cottage door and turned back to address them. ‘I suggest you head down the stairs as quickly as possible, and that “old boatman” will tell you what happens next. After all, he’s the reason you’re all here – the other name for Leap Island is Atlantis. And this is its very own king, Victor the First.’

  Chapter 8

  ‘You’re the, eh … King?’ gasped Kim. ‘I am indeed, Kim, but for now let us all make haste as my time is short,’ replied Victor.

  ‘Yes, my name is indeed Victor, although Kalvin is the only one allowed to call me “King”. It’s his little joke. He’s been working for me for many years and is an important part of my team as you will come to learn. It was good to get to know you all a little during the long night we had getting here, but you won’t be seeing much of me over the next few months. I am going to bid my farewell now, and shortly you will meet Luce who manages the Atlantis Academy for me. She will explain all.’

  And with that Victor went back out through the door by which they had entered.

  Kalvin returned and ushered the five down the steps and through a heavy steel door. Joe helped him push it back into place, and to swing the bolts into place to seal it.

  He showed them through into another room, where there were rows of airplane-style seats.

  ‘Strap yourselves in,’ he told them. ‘It won’t take long, but the first wave can throw you off your feet, so it is best to be careful.’

  The five youngsters did as they were told while Kalvin checked the door once more before seating himself at the head of the row and clicking his belt.

  He checked his watch and counted down. ‘8… 7… 6… 5…. Hold tight now… 3… 2… …’

  Joe felt the room take a huge lurch upwards, and everything within the walls rattled violently. He was glad he was strapped down, as he was sure he would be flying around like a rag doll if was not. Just as quickly, he had the sensation of the room falling quickly, before landing softly.

  Kalvin unclicked his belt and stood.

  ‘I never get used to that,’ he grinned. ‘Is everyone OK?’

  The youngsters nodded, and each undid their seat belt.

  ‘What do you think has happened?’ asked Craig.

  ‘Dunno, maybe there was an earthquake?’ suggested Ajit.

  Joe shook his head. ‘It’s weird, but the island just appeared out of the ocean. Kalvin said something about it submerging. Maybe it’s just sunk back under water again?’

  ‘So, we’re under the sea in some giant green submarine?’ gasped Jess, sounding increasingly panicked.

  ‘Well…’

  With that, another door swung open at the back of the room and in walked six people, each dressed in differently-coloured tracksuits.

  ‘He was at my tennis match,’ Craig whispered to Joe, pointing at the man with the turquoise outfit.

  ‘And that’s Kelly, I met her at rugby,’ said Kim.

  The six adults lined up at the top of the room, before a tall woman dressed in red took a step forward.

  ‘Good morning, I know you’ve all had a long and arduous journey and you will be shown to your bedrooms as soon as I’m finished here. I do, however, have a few things to explain which will help you sleep easier, I hope,’ she smiled.

  ‘Leap Island is home to Atlantis Academy,’ she started, ‘And you five are our first new pupils in four years. Our island only emerges from the sea for one hour every four years and on each occasion we bring five new children on board.’

  Joe looked along the line of adults, recognising the smallest one as the man with the stylish black hat. He was in a black tracksuit now and stared straight ahead.

  ‘But what is Atlantis Academy?’ asked Craig. ‘I’ve never heard of it – what sort of school is it?’

  ‘Well, you’re right, it is a school,’ replied Luce, ‘but it is a lot more than that. We have assembled the greatest minds and teachers in the world to train the five of you to be the very best you can be.’

  ‘And what’s that?’ asked Joe.

  ‘Well, in your case, Joe, that is a footballer.’

  Joe’s face reddened, and he snorted. ‘You’ve got to be joking,’ he laughed. ‘Even my coach says I have two left – or rather right – feet.’

  The small man in the black tracksuit stepped forward.

  ‘No, Joe, your coach was wrong. Very wrong. You are eleven years old now – by the time you are finished in Atlantis Sports Academy you will be fifteen. And you will be the very best fifteen-year-old footballer in the world.’

  Chapter 9

  ‘Junior Wimbledon? They have got to be joking,’ said Craig, as he lifted his suitcase onto his bed.

  ‘And they think I could be playing minor hurling for the county AND international cricket too,’ laughed Ajit.

  Craig, Ajit and Joe were now room-mates, and were settling into their new home.

  ‘This is class,’ said Joe, exploring the large room that contained three beds, storage areas and desks, on each of which sat a shiny new computer, each a different colour. He pushed the ‘on’ button, but nothing happened.

  ‘They said they’d install all that stuff later, once we had some sleep,’ grinned Ajit.

  ‘How do they expect us to sleep,’ asked Joe. ‘I know we’ve been up all night but my head is buzzing at what they told us – and all this,’ he added, with the sweep of an arm.

  ‘So, are you some sort of star footballer?’ Craig asked him.

  ‘Not at all,’ laughed Joe. ‘I’m the opposite. I’m easily the worst player on my team, and we’re close to the worst team in our league. For them to say that is just taking the mickey.’

  After they got dressed for bed, Joe explained the sequence of events that led him to this strange location, and after he had finished Craig told his story too.

  Ajit expelled a deep b
reath and grinned at the pair of them. ‘I suppose I’d better explain why I’m here too – but you’ll have to promise not to laugh.’

  ‘My mum and dad came here from India about twenty years ago, and my little sisters and I were all born here. Dad loves cricket, but there were no teams near where we live so he just follows it on the internet and TV now.

  ‘About two or three years ago he bought me a bat and started to teach me about the game. It was just the two of us in the local park, and sometimes mum and my sisters would help running for the ball. I love it, especially batting, and really enjoyed hitting the ball as far as I could.

  ‘We started playing hurling in school and I liked that too, but I’m not very good at it. It was harder to concentrate too, as in cricket you have to focus on every ball, but in hurling my mind drifted when the ball was up the other end. You hold the bat and the hurl in different ways, too, so I kept getting mixed up.

  ‘Then last week we had a game against a city team. My mind was wandering and I was actually playing a few cricket shots in the air when one of my team-mates called out my name. I was in another world but just caught sight of the sliotar – the ball – coming towards me.

  ‘I just stepped out to it like I was playing a drive in cricket and connected with it absolutely perfectly. The ball just took off and was still rising when it went between the posts for a point.’

  Joe laughed. ‘That must have been a shock to them.’

  ‘It certainly was?’ said Ajit. ‘The lads were delighted, but the old guy who coaches us was a bit grumpy about it afterwards, even though it was the only point we scored in the whole second half.

  ‘Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that I play on the half-back line. When I hit the point I was about ten metres inside our own half. The ball went about sixty metres before it crossed the bar, and probably would have gone another thirty or more. The ref nearly swallowed his whistle.’

  ‘Wow,’ gasped Craig. ‘And was there someone watching from the Academy?’

  ‘There was,’ shrugged Ajit. ‘I can’t imagine she was there just to watch me, but she came up to my parents after the game and said she wanted to talk to them. They never told me what was in store – but … well, here I am.’

  Chapter 10

  In their room, Kim and Jess were also getting used to their new surroundings.

  ‘I keep pinching myself,’ Jess announced as she finally lay down on her bed. ‘This whole night has been so hard to take in. It still feels like a weird dream.’

  ‘Yeah, it’s like when you’ve had a piece of cheese at bedtime,’ replied Kim. ‘At least that’s what my mam always warns me about.’

  ‘I’m trying not to think too much about being deep under the water, and what happens if there’s a leak,’ said Jess. ‘You don’t think there could be one, do you?’

  ‘No!’ chuckled Kim. ‘I’m sure they keep a close watch on that sort of thing. I wouldn’t mind if we had a window, or a porthole I think it’s called. It would be so cool to watch the fish swimming past.’

  Jess laughed. ‘So, you’re going to be a rugby star, according to that woman with the clipboard. What do you make of that?’

  ‘Well, I don’t really get it to be honest,’ said Kim, after she explained how she had come to be among the new intake at the Academy. ‘I’m not that good, but I really enjoy it and would love to get better. Maybe that’s why they picked me out. Kelly – that’s the lady with the clipboard – seems really nice though. What’s your story, anyway?’

  Jess stretched her arms out wide and yawned. ‘Oh, I’m nothing special either. I like running, and the man from this place came to see our school sports day.

  ‘I’m not joking when I say I’m in the bottom half in my year in every event. I didn’t win any races, or even win a medal, but I suppose he was impressed that I entered everything from 100 metres up to the 800 metres. I even ran in the hurdles and did the long jump. He told me I’m going to be in the Olympics – which is just silly.’

  ‘I know, it does all seem a bit far-fetched, and for the boys too,’ replied Kim. ‘They seem to be fairly average at their games.

  ‘But there must be something they see in us – I can’t understand why they would have organised all this and spent all the money they must have for a giant practical joke that almost no-one will see. It just doesn’t make sense. AND I really miss my mobile phone!’

  Jess yawned again. ‘Well, I’m not going to let it worry me or ruin my sleep. We’ll have time enough for working out what’s going on after some rest.’ And with that she rolled over, switched off her bedside light, and fell fast asleep.

  Kim smiled. She liked Jess, and the three boys seemed nice too. Atlantis Academy sounded like it would be a bit of a challenge, but a lot of fun too. She brushed her teeth and noticed her favourite brand of toothpaste was provided, as were other items around the bathroom. Luce and her team had obviously done their homework on her, and the others.

  But before she let another wave of questions sweep through her brain she told herself that going to sleep was now the most important thing she needed to do, so she did.

  Chapter 11

  The youngsters were awoken four hours later by the ringing of an alarm, followed by Luce’s voice coming over a loudspeaker.

  ‘I’m sorry to disturb you but it is important that you all get up now. It is vital that you get your sleep back to a normal pattern and last night’s activity has thrown you all out of line. If you get up now and then return to bed after six hours, you should be back in your usual groove tomorrow.

  ‘So, please get up and dressed – wear the packet of clothes labelled “day one” which is in your personal wardrobe. When you are ready open your door and you will be brought to the canteen for lunch.’

  ‘Lunch! Now that’s good news,’ yelped Craig as he leapt out of bed, stood up and stretched. Joe and Ajit were less enthusiastic about leaving what were very comfortable beds indeed.

  Shaking the sleep out of his head, Joe wandered into the bathroom to wash his face. As he stood in front of the mirror a drawer slid open beneath it which contained soap – in a black wrapper – as well as shampoo and a face cloth, all with his name on them. He gently touched the ‘hot’ button and lovely warm water flowed out of the tap. Craig was already in the shower, singing a song about how he did like to be beside the seaside.

  In their own very different ways the trio got themselves ready, finally ripping open the plastic packet that surrounded their new clothing.

  ‘Yuck,’ gasped Craig, as he lifted out a tracksuit in bright turquoise and a pair of matching runners.

  Joe grinned, a lot happier that the kit he had been allocated was jet black, while Ajit was a bit less sure about the yellow tracksuit he was expected to wear.

  ‘We look like something off toddlers’ television,’ complained Craig as they opened the door to the corridor outside, where Kim and Jess were waiting in their outfits of red and green, respectively.

  ‘Well, you two got some sensible colours anyway,’ grinned Joe, as he gestured back at his room-mates. ‘I hope they change the colours every day. I could get a headache looking at Craig.’

  ‘I don’t know, Joe,’ smiled Jess. ‘I think black makes you look like one of the baddies in one of those space adventure films. I hope you’re not a baddie?’

  Joe was still laughing when Luce arrived.

  ‘Well, I’m glad to see you’re enjoying yourselves. I suppose one thing about the unorthodox way you got here is that you’ve all started to make friends, which is a good thing. Atlantis Academy should be a lot of fun, but it’s always better to have a few pals to lean on if things get difficult – and there will downs as well as ups. Now, follow me and we’ll see how well your appetite has survived that long voyage.’

  Craig was first to the buffet, where Angela, who worked in the kitchen, welcomed him and handed him a turquoise plate to match his tracksuit. He took a step back as his eyes focused on the food on display.

  ‘Eh, I
think we’ll need someone to translate this food into English, please,’ he said. ‘Is it edible? And where are the chips?’

  Luce smiled and stepped in front of the cabinet where the food was displayed.

  ‘Now, Craig, don’t tell me you haven’t seen any of these foods before?’ she grinned, as she pointed at a range of cold meats, salads and wraps. ‘We’re not going to be totally down on your favourite foods, but it is a sports academy and we want you to be full of the ideal fuels to drive the important machine that is your body. There will be a time and a place for burgers, even sausages, but I think after your classes on nutrition you will probably never want to eat such things again.’

  Craig snorted. ‘You’ve got to be joking. I love a good fry for breakfast at the weekend….’

  ‘Well, we’ll see what we can do about that,’ chuckled Luce. ‘For now, tuck in to the turkey and try some of those little nutty things. They’re very tasty if you dip them in that,’ she added pointing at a beige substance in a little pot.

  Craig selected the food Luce had suggested. ‘Better still, stick it all in a wrap with some lettuce, beetroot and tomato,’ she added.

  ‘Uh, you lost me at “lettuce”,’ replied Craig, ‘but I’ll give the rest of it a go.’

  He piled the food onto his plate; instead of a cash register at the end of the line Angela was waiting to run the plate into a scanner that recorded what each student was choosing to eat.

  The other four lined up at the buffet and also found plenty to eat, and they all joined Craig and Luce at the table.

  ‘This is really good,’ mumbled Craig as he chewed on his lunch.

  ‘Excellent,’ said Luce, ‘It’s good to see you’re open to a few changes. Now, relax for a while, enjoy your meal and we’ll head into the classroom and I’ll fill you in on what this is all about.’

  Luce left the five of them to eat and chat. Craig demolished his wrap and went back for a second helping.