However, when these experiments were discovered and made public,
the condemnation by the masses forced a majority of the representatives
on the Council of Twelve to order the experiments to halt. (The Council
of Twelve was basically the executive branch of government in Atlantis.
It consisted of 10 members who each represented one of the 10 major islands
that made up the continent of Atlantis, and two who represented the thousands
of tiny islands - which were usually inhabited only by one to several families).
Even though there was an executive order to halt these experiments, they
still went on - unofficially. Despite a long standing agreement that all
islands must abide by the decision by the Council of Twelve - which was
one of the oldest legal institutions of Atlantis - the main island of the
south continued these experiments in the greatest of secrecy (and with the
full knowledge of many ministers and the island's Council representative.
However, the current situation made it impossible to create an army of "beast-warriors",
for while it was easy to conceal a few experiments, one could not easily
hide thousands of genetic mutants.
A "fad" controls the masses A breakthrough came for
the scientists with the development of the "cressa", which was
a small device that looked very similar to a small contact lens that many
people wear in their eyes today. This device, however, was a tiny receiver
that could pick up signals sent by the scientists, and could transfer these
electronic impulses directly to the brain. The cressa then, was a way the
scientists could control people, for suggestions sent to one wearing this
device were often carried out (often times with the individual unaware of
what they were doing).
The cressa could also stimulate many different parts of the brain, so
that the scientists could send signals that could bring great feelings and
visions of pleasure as well as pain. Realizing that the people of Atlantis
would not willing place a cressa in their eyes so they could be controlled
- the cressa was introduced to the public as a pleasure device. To assure
success, the scientists found a part of the brain that when stimulated,
created experiences of pleasure that exceeded those felt from sex. To say
the least, the device was very addictive, and within a few months nearly
everyone on 7 of the islands were under the scientists complete control.
Wal-Bru the "seer" Oddly enough, the very islands the
cressa was intended for - the 3 main northern islands - were not accepting
them. This was due to a seer named Wal-Bru, who had lived on the tiny island
of Kos - alone - for over 75 years. One month before the introduction of
the cressa, Wal-Bru appeared on the island of Azoro, which was the largest
of the northern islands (and his place of birth).
In his youth, Wal-Bru was well known as writer of beautiful and mystical
poems - which years later the people of Azoro learned that his "poems"
were actually prophecies that came true! Thousands of people passed through
his gates for many years, hoping to be present when he wrote his poems -
for whoever was near him when he became "inspired" to write, was
usually to whom the prophecy applied. Being overwhelmed by visitors from
all over Atlantis, and even nobility from other parts of the world, Wal-Bru
at the age of 30 left society to live as a hermit on a group of islands
that were on the outer most reaches of the Atlantean empire.
Upon seeing him return many were joyed, yet realized his return was significate.
Even though he had not spoken to another person for 75 years, there in front
of a huge crowd who came to greet him, Wal-Bru at the age of 105 spoke his
final words,
"Golden eyes brings pleasure not, instead the south sends it
thoughts"
After reciting his final poem, Wal-Bru peaceably lied down and died.
Of course the people of Azoro did not know the meaning of the poem - until
one month later - when traders from the south arrived with the gold colored
cressas to be put on ones eyes to bring the "joy of one's lifetime".
A warning was put out immediately to all the northern islands and allies.
However, for some this warning was too late. With 7 islands under the control
of the scientists, they now had a majority in the Council of Twelve and
could now issue decrees to impose their will (for example, wearing a cressa
was now manidatory for ALL citizens).
Out numbered, the three remaining free islands rebelled which started
the Great Civil War - and the Second Destruction of Atlantis had begun. |