Sunken city

 A strange note appeared on Captain Cullen’s desk, seemingly out of nowhere. It materialized during the chaos of Tripoli’s destruction, with no trace of the person who left it anywhere on the Tecumseh.

“Well done. Not all of us who live in the ring invested in slaves. You tripled my portfolio, so thank you.”

The note was unsigned, but its origin was unmistakable. It was from one of the Sky people, those elusive beings who lived in the orbital ring. Somehow, they had accessed the captain’s office on a ship that was actively engaged in combat, without being detected.

Captain Cullen stared at the note, his mind racing. The implications were staggering. His ship had been infiltrated during a battle, and the intruder had left a message written on what looked like paper, but felt thicker and more luxurious. Was it vellum?

He turned the note over in his hands, feeling the weight of the material and the weight of the situation. The Sky people were known for their advanced technology and mysterious ways, but this was a bold move, even for them. How had they managed to breach the Tecumseh’s defenses? And why leave a note of gratitude in the midst of such destruction?

Cullen’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden realization. If the Sky people could infiltrate his ship so easily, what else were they capable of? And what did this mean for the future of the war?

He knew he had to find answers, and fast. The safety of his crew and the success of their mission depended on it.

—----

The Great Hall of the Imperatrix was bathed in the soft glow of twilight, the grand tapestries swaying gently in the evening breeze. Imperatrix Auriella stood at the head of the hall, her regal presence commanding the attention of all present. The Sea Devils, the elite 4th Legion, stood at attention, their eyes sharp and alert.

Suddenly, a flicker of light appeared in the center of the hall. The air shimmered and crackled with energy as a holographic projection began to take form. The figure of a Sky Person materialized, their features obscured by a hood and cloak, their presence both ethereal and imposing.

“Greetings, Imperatrix Auriella,” the Sky Person’s voice echoed through the hall, a blend of mechanical precision and human emotion. “I bring a message from the skies above.”

The figure raised a hand, and a series of symbols and images began to swirl around them, forming a cryptic pattern. As the symbols took shape, Captain Cullen’s eyes widened in recognition. His heart pounded in his chest as he realized they were identical to the ones on the vellum note he had found on his desk.

“The time of reckoning approaches. The stars align, and the fate of your world hangs in the balance. Seek the key where the sun meets the sea, and the truth shall be revealed.”

With that, the holographic figure began to fade, the symbols lingering in the air for a moment longer before dissipating into nothingness. The hall fell silent, the weight of the message heavy in the air.

Captain Cullen stepped forward, holding up the vellum note. His voice trembled slightly as he spoke, “Imperatrix, these symbols match the ones on this note. We must decipher their meaning and act swiftly.”

Imperatrix Auriella’s eyes narrowed with determination. She turned to her advisors, her voice steady but filled with urgency. “We must uncover the truth behind these symbols. The future of our realm depends on it.”

The Sea Devils exchanged glances, their resolve hardening. They knew the gravity of the situation and the peril that lay ahead. The air was thick with tension, but also with a sense of unity and purpose.

Lieutenant Smythe sat hunched over a desk cluttered with ancient tomes and modern technology, the only light coming from the flickering screen of his laptop, casting eerie shadows on the walls. He inserted the flash drive given to him by King Ethan and waited as the device whirred to life.

The screen displayed a series of historical video footage, grainy and aged, yet filled with significance. Smythe’s eyes scanned the images intently, searching for any clue that might help decipher the cryptic message from the Sky Person.

Suddenly, his breath caught in his throat. There, in the corner of the screen, were the same symbols that had appeared in the Great Hall and on Captain Cullen’s vellum note. Smythe’s heart raced as he rewound the footage, pausing to study the symbols more closely.

The footage showed an ancient ceremony, with robed figures standing around a stone altar. The symbols were etched into the altar, glowing faintly as if imbued with some otherworldly power. Smythe’s mind raced with possibilities. What could these symbols mean? How were they connected to the Sky People and the impending reckoning?

He quickly grabbed a notebook and began to jot down notes, his hand shaking with excitement and urgency. The symbols, the ceremony, the message—they all pointed to something far greater than he had imagined. He knew he had to share his findings with Imperatrix Auriella immediately.

Smythe’s eyes burned with determination as he continued to study the footage, knowing that the key to their future lay hidden in the past.

Meanwhile, Captain Cullen stared at the piece of vellum left on his desk by the Sky Person, his brow furrowing in confusion and unease. The seal at the center depicted a stylized representation of a sunken city, its angular, non-Euclidean architecture defying conventional geometry. Surrounding this central motif were intricate lines and curves, forming a labyrinthine pattern that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. The lines were precise, yet they twisted and turned in ways that evoked a sense of disorientation and unease.

Encircling the entire design were arcane runes and glyphs, each one meticulously crafted. These runes were believed to be in an ancient, forgotten language, their meanings lost to time but still exuding a palpable sense of dread.

Captain Cullen’s heart raced as he examined the symbol, a mix of curiosity and apprehension swirling within him. He had no idea what the symbol meant, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that it was of great significance. The air around him seemed to grow heavier, and he felt a chill run down his spine. What could this possibly mean? And why had the Sky Person left it for him?

Captain Cullen tossed and turned in his bunk, the hum of the Tecumseh’s engines a distant murmur. His dreams took him back to that fateful day, but this time, the vision was different, more surreal and haunting.

The ocean was calm, a deceptive tranquility that belied the chaos to come. As the crew of the Tecumseh scanned the horizon, a low rumble echoed through the depths. Cullen’s heart pounded as he watched the water begin to churn and bubble. Instead of the expected spacecraft, a massive structure began to emerge from the ocean’s depths.

The sunken city of R’lyeh, with its impossible geometry and ancient, cyclopean architecture, rose from the abyss. The sight was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Towering spires twisted in ways that defied logic, and the air was thick with an otherworldly energy. The crew stood frozen, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and wonder.

Cullen felt a pull, an inexplicable connection to the city. He could hear whispers, ancient and unintelligible, calling to him from the dark recesses of R’lyeh. Among these whispers, a chilling chant began to rise, growing louder and more insistent: “Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn.” The words echoed in his mind, a haunting refrain that sent shivers down his spine.

The sky darkened, and a storm began to brew, lightning illuminating the eerie landscape. The city seemed to pulse with life, as if awakening from a long slumber. The chant continued, a relentless reminder of the ancient power that lay beneath the waves.

As the Tecumseh was drawn closer to the city, Cullen’s mind was flooded with visions of the past and future, a chaotic blend of memories and possibilities. He saw the Imperatrix, her eyes filled with a cold determination, and the Sky People, their advanced technology shimmering in the distance. He felt the weight of ancient artifacts, their power resonating through time.

Suddenly, the dream shifted. The city began to sink back into the ocean, the whispers and the chant growing fainter. Cullen reached out, desperate to hold onto the vision, but it slipped through his fingers like water. The storm subsided, and the ocean returned to its deceptive calm.

Cullen awoke with a start, his heart racing. The dream lingered, a haunting reminder of the mysteries that lay beneath the surface and the unknown forces that had brought them to this point in time. He knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty, but also with the promise of discovery and the hope of understanding the true nature of their mission.