Chapter 161: Interstellar / 3.5 : Learn your place
Evander looked at the ship approaching excitedly. He looked around him and became annoyed seeing all the signs carried by the people. He isn’t surprised that the king turned this into a publicity stunt seeing how people felt about the royal family when they thought the crown prince had betrayed Traetis.
They were barriers on each side with excited people on one side and press on the other. There was a red carpet that led to the place the ship was going to lend to the ship they arrived in.
A big majority of those signs had Atlas’ name on them. After the video of Damian’s body being taken over was leaked he posted on his platforms that Atlas is the only reason he is back and that he’s the only one who believed in him.
People were already worshipping Atlas after they saw his reaction to the eight hours of torture but now they know that just after that ordeal he saved Damian and refused to leave without him.
Evander feels so angry he can’t stand it. His father thinks that he forgot to make Atlas drink the truth serum but he is sure he gave him the wrong one or Atlas would’ve spilled every classified information he had.
Not only did he not die but he’s back as a hero. He took a breath and decided to only focus on the positive.
The twins are finally back after a year. He hates that he can’t be with them officially since Atlas will probably throw a tantrum but he’ll be able to see them every day again.
Apart from kissing nothing happened between them since they never had time at the academy and Atlas was always with him during their free time. When his father and Damian disappeared he became sticky.
Everywhere he looked he was there. Hopefully, now he’ll focus more on Damian if he decides to stay in the army. He looked at the door when the ship landed. At least Atlas will walk out last since he has the lesser title.
Atlas looked out the window at Evander and his father Micah next to him. He can’t wait to turn them into dust.
He knows that they’re furious that he’s alive and popular. They hate it more than anything when he is in the limelight except if they can be part of it.
Damian pulled Atlas and stood in front of the door. Atlas looked at him with a smile, he smiled back. The door opened and once the stairs appeared they walked down the stairs followed by the twins.
Evander and Micah’s eyes flashed in anger when they saw Atlas and Damian walking hand in hand together.
The king took a step forward when he saw his son but then he stopped. Damian who had seen it smiled, his father hasn’t changed one bit. He would say that it’s not dignified for him to be seen running like that no matter the circumstances.
Atlas let go of Damian’s hand and he looked at him.
"Go."
Damian smiled and ran to his father. Mace opened his arms and hugged his son tightly, Damian held him back just as tight.
The twins walked faster and they hugged Cassian, he hugged his sons back in relief.
Atlas stopped in place and looked at Damian and the twins hugging their father. He looked down and swallowed with difficulty.
He’s the type of person who can move on easily so he didn’t think seeing them with their father would trigger him. For the first time in his lives, he had a parent figure who loved and cared for him but now he’s back to where he was.
He looked up when someone yelled:
"Atlas your nose is bleeding."
He touched his nose then looked at his hand and saw that there was blood.
Since the person had screamed everyone looked toward him. Evander who was hugging the twins cursed when they went to him and wiped the blood with a handkerchief.
Atlas took it from Kalel’s hand and said:
"It’s fine I got it."
Kalel let go of it and looked at him with worry.
Damian and Mace approached. Atlas bowed and said:
"Your highness."
Mace stopped him.
"You always called me uncle, are you saying you don’t believe I am anymore?"
Atlas smiled.
"I do uncle."
Mace smiled. Cassian said:
"There’s healing pods in the ship let’s go."
Atlas nodded and he walked to the ship. Evander walked behind them with a frown.
After spending a couple of hours in healing pods they all met in the council room for a conference. Atlas entered the room last and took a seat. He sat next to Damian and he smiled at him.
Damian caressed his head.
"Do you feel better?"
"I do thanks."
Damian smiled.
When Atlas felt dark eyes he looked in front of him at the twins. They didn’t seem very please but he ignored them.
Micah who was sitting at the end of the table with Evander said:
"Atlas I’m glad you feel better."
Atlas smiled.
"Thank you, uncle."
Micah smiled and he discreetly nudge his son. Evander smiled at Atlas.
"I wanted to check on you but when I knocked on the door of your quarters no one answered."
Atlas said expressionlessly:
"I was busy."
Evander was stunned by how cold Atlas was.
The last time he saw him he told him that he loves him and that he was the only person he’ll ever love since he was sure he was never going to make it.
He must feel shy after telling him his feelings, he thought they would never see each other again that’s why he was brave enough to tell him his real feelings.
Atlas looked at Micah and asked:
"Did you make sure everything I’ll need for the procedure was brought to the lab?"
Micah nodded.
"The list of all the items you asked for is there waiting."
Atlas nodded and he leaned back on his chair. That’s all he cares about. The king asked Atlas:
"How long before the other consciousness wakes up?"
"72 hours. We have enough time. The procedure only takes 20 minutes."
Cassian asked curiously:
"Why did it take the captain so long if it only takes 20 minutes?"
Atlas met his eyes.
"The captain had nothing to lose so he tried the procedure when he knew nothing about it. He only had heard of it like everyone else but if you ask anyone on the street if they can do it they’ll say no. That’s why he couldn’t take away Damian’s consciousness out of the body and his son had to live with it."
Cassian nodded. Evander asked:
"Shouldn’t we get a professional to do this? If Atlas couldn’t do it before that means he won’t be able to do it again."
Evander was looking at the general of the army and the king as he said that.
Before anyone could say anything Atlas asked him:
"What are you doing here?"
Evander looked at him confused.
"We’re having a meeting."
Atlas said expressionlessly:
"I know, that’s why I’m confused. You don’t have the clearance to be here. Just because your father is the general of my Storm Academy doesn’t mean you get to do whatever you want let alone interject in conversation you shouldn’t be part of. So either shut your mouth or get out. Have I made myself clear?"
Evander gaped at Atlas. Now he knows that he is ashamed after telling him how he feels and he didn’t return his feelings. He was speechless no word could come out of his mouth.
Not only did Atlas talk to him this way but he did it in front of the most important people on the planet and the person he loves.
"Did you hear me?"
Evander nodded and his eyes moistened.
Seeing that Atlas sneered, he should’ve known the twins were Er-Ge seeing how Evander plays the white lotus. They all see him as this sweet and peerless person. Everyone loves his purity and big heart when none of it is real.
Micah’s eyes flashed in anger but he said:
"Atlas you shouldn’t speak like that to him he was just asking a question, I’m sure everyone wondered the same."
Atlas met his eyes.
"You’re the general of Storm Academy you should know better than anyone the rules and make sure everyone respects them including your son. Why should he get to do whatever he wants just because his father is the general? How is that fair to the other soldiers? It’s my academy but I fought to get to where I am that’s why I get to sit around this table, he didn’t. Or do you think the Storms agree with nepotism? If you do I’ll have to find someone else to take your place."
Damian couldn’t stop himself from smiling but his father managed to keep his smile contained.
Cassian looked at Atlas and then Micah, he could tell he was surprised by Atlas’s words. It seems like Micah is used to doing what he wants without Atlas saying anything.
He couldn’t understand either why Evander was there but he didn’t say anything since he never planned on having a serious talk in front of him. He honestly never understood what the twins saw in him.
He can feel that he isn’t this person he shows the world and how schemy he is. But they are so blindly in love with him that he decided not to get involved. They’re not children anymore so they should make their own mistakes.
Micah looked at Atlas, he had an eyebrow raised waiting for his answer. He looked around and saw that they were all looking at him. He can’t believe Atlas dares to humiliate him in front of the general of the army and the king.
He never cared before so why is he acting this way right now?
"Of course, I know you don’t your father and I were best friends. Previously you had no issue with Evander being present so I believed it would be the same seeing that you’re best friend."
Atlas said expressionlessly:
"There’s no such thing as friends when it comes to working. It’s one thing that he’s here but he should at least make himself as small as possible instead of talking about things he has no idea about. He can’t even tell left from the right so why should we listen to what he has to say?"
Evander’s face reddened and he looked at Atlas wide-eyed. He can’t believe Atlas just told his biggest shame like that in front of everyone. Evander stood up and ran out of the room.
Micah was about to go after him but he stopped when Atlas asked:
"So you’re only the general when Evander doesn’t have a problem?"
Micah sat down and he forced himself not to choke Atlas. He forced a smile and said:
"Let’s continue."
He looked at the king and said:
"Your highness I’ve found a scientist who’s an expert in this field, he’ll be there tomorrow morning when we arrive for the procedure."
Damian looked at Micah with narrowed eyes. He then looked at his father and was about to tell him that he’s not letting his life in the hands of someone other than Atlas but Mace gave him a sign and he stayed silent.
Mace asked:
"You don’t believe Atlas can successfully perform the procedure?"
"I just believe that it would be best to put his highness’s life in the hand of a professional, not someone who could only bring his consciousness back just a few days."
Micah felt very pleased, he dared to humiliate his son then he shall do the same. He can’t let Atlas save Damian or he’ll gain even more respect.
He wants his reputation to be in shambles before he finds a solution to kill him or they’ll morn him a hero like his father.
Mace looked at Atlas and saw that he was just looking down, even if he didn’t show much everyone could tell that Micah’s lack of faith in him was hurtful. The twins looked at Atlas uncomfortable.
How did they never see how condescending and rude Evander and Micah are to Atlas? To be fair they were blindly in love with Evander and believed everything that came out of his mouth.
Mace asked:
"Atlas sent everyone a report explaining what happened and why Damian’s consciousness was only back temporary. Are you saying you didn’t read it since you believe the reason behind it is Atlas’ incompetence?"
Micah looked at the king speechless. He didn’t read the report he had someone else do it and he told him to get everything Atlas would need.
He swallowed and said:
"I didn’t finish reading because Atlas said that he need everything urgently so I focused on it. Most of the items were hard to get."
Mace sneered at him, it was clear that he didn’t believe him and Micah looked down in shame. Mace looked at Atlas who was looking toward him his eyes flashing in amusement.
Mace said:
"I trust you I know you can do it."
Atlas smiled and he smiled back.
When the meeting ended everyone left for their quarters. Micah went to his and closed the door behind him. He walked to his desk and threw the first thing he could get his hand on.
Evander asked:
"What happened?"
Micah said viciously:
"Atlas has to die and before that, we need to make sure he suffers."
Evander smiled cruelly.
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