by Jeff Sims
…Scanning. This will not take nearly as long. There are only 20 million relevant documents…
Twenty million, Lorano mentally repeated. He said, “Computer, there should be several billion, perhaps even a trillion documents from that time period. Why are there so few?”
…The Altian record retention policy states that all but the most critical documents must be destroyed after 1,200 years have passed. These 20 million are all that remain…
They sat on the first step of the pyramid and impatiently waited for the computer to finish the query. Clowy told him about her new hair implants. Lorano pretended to care.
She completed the story, finishing with a head twirl. Clowy said, “Switching subjects, why are you out here? What are you trying to accomplish?”
Lorano said, “I honestly believe what I said to Ella. I think that there is a link between the Humans and the Solarians.”
Clowy replied, “What link?”
Lorano said, “I searched the Solarian archives extensively while we were on the planet.”
Clowy interrupted, “What planet?”
Lorano continued unabated, “Solaria. There are no records that the Solarian civilization of 4,000 years ago possessed the technology to build a hyper drive unit, or even a spaceship for that matter.”
Clowy: “That can’t be correct. We saw Settler’s Monument. Clearly, the Solarians left Old Solaria and traveled to Solaria in a hyper capable spaceship.”
Lorano asked rhetorically, “How did the Solarians travel through hyperspace without a hyper capable ship?”
Clowy responded, “Maybe our ancestors gave them a ride.” She smiled sweetly.
“That’s it!” Lorano exclaimed. “That is the missing link. Our ancestors transported the Solarians to Solaria. Then they built the pyramids to provide energy for the settlers.”
Clowy replied, “That was very nice of them.”
…There may be something relevant in the historical archive. There are three documents that reference a name change for the entire race…
Lorano said, “Continue.”
…The documents state that after making initial contact with the Advranki, the Altian government officially changed the name of the race to Altian…
Lorano asked, “Does it say why?”
…It does. The name of the Altian race was originally longer than the Advranki. The Altian populace felt that it projected superiority and shortened it…
Clowy asked, “Does it say what it used to be?”
…It is not mentioned. After the decision was approved, all electronic documents were updated. The old name was cut out and the new name was pasted in its place…
They got off of the rock, stood back on the plate, and looked at the word. Lorano said, “That has to be the old name of our race. Someone must have realized that the name was deleted from every record and wanted to maintain it for history.”
Clowy continued, “So he chiseled it into rock.” She paused for a breath and said, “The word is written in ancient Altian script that I don’t recognize. How do you pronounce it?”
Lorano looked at her strangely. Yes, the word was written in cursive, but the Altian language hadn’t changed much in 4,000 years. It was pronounced then just as it would be pronounced today.”
Lorano cleared his throat and said, “Fortunately, I can read it.” He paused for effect and said, “Our race used to be called Atlantean.”
“Atlantean,” Clowy repeated. “Does the name mean anything to you?”
“Not yet,” Lorano replied.
