Free Web NovelChapter 172: Interstellar / 3.16 : The decision
Atlas stood before the general’s quarter unsure. He feels complicated seeing Cassian. He reminds him of his father Sicheng. When he passed away Atlas did not react, he didn’t cry even if he left this huge hole in his life.
When Cassian came to the healing center in fear for Kalel’s life it somehow triggered him. He doesn’t have a father there for him who’s always going to care for him.
Sicheng was the first caring parent he’s ever had and Cassian reminds him of him so much. Since that day he’s been feeling nervous about seeing him but he loves the twins and he wants to have a good relationship with their father.
Cassian is a good person and in many ways, he’s like Sicheng but that just makes it harder. After taking a breath he knocked and a woman opened. She led him to a room and Atlas entered.
They were already sitting around the table waiting for him. Cassian was sitting next to Kalel and in front of him was Klay. Atlas took a seat with a smile.
"Hello, sorry I’m late."
Cassian smiled.
"It’s okay. How are you?"
"I’m okay."
After answering Atlas looked down. Cassian said:
"I met the king before leaving. He told me about the uniform you created that repels Atrunias. He was very excited about it."
He was inspired by the spray that attracts Atrunias and decided to create one that repels them. Once the essence is embedded in the clothes the Atrunias won’t dare to approach you.
Atlas made one for every soldier to make sure they would all come back safely. He decided to sell it as a uniform so no one would know the recipe to make the spray.
Then the men the king found will sell it to the entire galaxy. They’re sure to make millions since it’s a game changer. Atrunias are like cockroaches they keep multiplying.
Atlas simply smiled. Cassian said:
"I think that it’s admirable that you decided to give the earnings from it to all the help programs of Traetis."
Atlas has enough money for a lifetime so he told the king that they can invest the money in all the programs that help people in need.
"It was nothing."
Cassian frowned. The entire time Atlas’ has been here he hasn’t looked at him like he doesn’t dare. He thought at first that he was upset with him but now he knows that he isn’t.
The twins looked at Atlas worried and were about to reach out for him when Cassian stood up. He knelt in front of Atlas and turned his head. As soon as Atlas met his eyes he felt uneasy.
Atlas seemed close to tears.
"What’s wrong? Did I do something to upset you?"
Atlas shook his head and smiled.
"You haven’t I’m just being silly."
When a tear fell on his face Cassian wiped it and asked:
"Talk to me."
Atlas bit his lip then murmured:
"It’s nothing you just remind me of my father."
The twins and Cassian felt heartbroken hearing that. Cassian pulled Atlas in his arms and he hugged him back. When he patted his back Atlas closed his eyes.
He feels like this universe has messed with his head. It’s too much and he doesn’t want to feel this way again. He opened his eyes and they flashed as he made a decision.
Cassian pulled back and said:
"I hope that if you feel any way or want to talk you’ll come to me. No matter what it is I’ll be there I promise."
Atlas smiled and nodded touched. He knows that Cassian means that and it does make him feel better but he knows that his decision is also helping.
Cassian caressed his head with a gentle smile and went back to take his seat. The twins felt better seeing Atlas smile again and talk to his father about his past missions.
They were surprised to see that Atlas was a proper fan of him since his mission to planet Katui-48. They felt like third wheels but extremely happy. Atlas walked out of Cassian’s quarters after dinner holding the twins’ hands.
The twins felt like Atlas was lighter and it made them delighted. They could tell that something was weighing on him before but they didn’t want to pressure him to open up if he wasn’t ready.
Atlas indeed felt light as a feather. He felt better than he has in a long time. After showering he got into bed with the twins. Kalel asked:
"Why didn’t you say anything?"
Atlas said:
"It only hit me when we were in the healing room and your father came in. But I feel better now."
Kalel pulled him on his lap and kissed him. He said:
"You can’t keep anything from us anymore."
Klay moved closer to them and looked at Atlas. Atlas nodded.
"I won’t I promise."
The twins smiled, Klay leaned in and kissed him.
Evander looked at the uniform on his lap than at Atlas who was on stage next to the general of the army.
Cassian said:
"They’ve been changes in the teams, those who received the message this morning don’t forget to join your new team leader in the hangar when you’re done changing. Everyone has to wear their new uniform or you’re not leaving. Now go."
Everyone stood up and left. Evander looked at Atlas who was talking to the twins, Cassian and Damian. He walked to the stage and smiled at Cassian.
"Hello, general."
Cassian simply nodded. Evander asked:
"Am I still in team one?"
"Did you receive a message?"
Evander answered:
"I didn’t."
"Then you are. Get changed you’re leaving in five."
Evander looked around and asked:
"Team one is just the five of us?"
Atlas smiled.
"It is."
Evander nodded and left confused. Team one is going after the pirates and even if they have a plan they should probably have more soldiers. After thinking he thought that it is a good thing.
He’ll create a distraction and make sure the twins and Damian look away before he pushes Atlas into the pit after spraying him with the Atrunia attracter. The less witness there is the better.
When he was out of sight Atlas narrowed his eyes. They all followed his eyes and Damian put a hand on his shoulder.
"We’ll be done with him today."
Atlas said:
"I know. He still dares to go through with the plan even after his father died. He clearly had no feelings for him."
Cassian said:
"I could tell that they didn’t like you as much as they showed but to as far as to kill you for money is crazy."
"They believed my father owed them."
Cassian caressed his head. The more he hears about Atlas the more he sees how strong he is.
He already knew he was when he saw his torture but having to see the person who wants to kill you and not being able to do anything at the second makes him even stronger.
Cassian knows he wouldn’t be able to seeing how impatient he is. He would’ve killed Micah and Evander the second he was free.
Cassian asked: frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
"Do you have the exact location of the pirates?"
"I do that’s why I sent the two other teams as far as possible from them until we deal with them. They are hiding in a cave but they sent a scout so he can inform them of their position when we arrived. As soon as I get my hands on him I’ll lure them to the trap using his cellphone."
Cassian nodded, he said:
"Be careful and if you need anything let me know I’ll be there in a heartbeat."
Atlas nodded with a smile. After hugging Cassian Atlas, the twins and Damian left for the hangar since they already had on their uniforms. They boarded the ship waiting for Evander.
As Atlas waited he called in his head:
*Eden?*
He immediately heard:
*Hey is everything okay?*
Atlas answered:
*I’m okay I just wanted to ask you something.*
*Sure what is it?*
Atlas asked:
*Is there a way I can get rid of my feelings?*
*Do you mean completely?*
*I do.*
Eden said:
*I know that there’s a way to tone it down but I don’t know if you can get rid of them completely. Let me check and I’ll be right back.*
*Okay.*
Atlas relaxed, he was worried Eden might tell him that he shouldn’t get rid of them and give him this whole speech about needing to feel.
Eden severed the link and looked at Cael. He asked:
"What is it?"
"Atlas feels overwhelmed by his feelings and wants to get rid of them."
Cael said:
"You can’t help him do that. Atlas needs to feel all of this. It’s normal that he feels overwhelmed seeing that before he was practically a robot. All he did was play with people since no one cared for him. If he doesn’t have feelings with the amount of power he has can you imagine what he’ll do?"
Eden thought and smiled maliciously. He walked across the desk and sat on Cael’s lap.
"How about we show him?"
"What do you mean?"
Eden said:
"I know a universe where he’ll be powerful and be able to play with as many people as he wants. At first, he’ll be happy but then he’ll realize that he made the wrong choice and he’ll ask for his feelings back."
Cael said:
"What if he goes overboard without his feelings?"
"He won’t. It’s Atlas as long as he can manipulate people by acting weak he will and I have the perfect universe for that. Despite what he thinks he loves his Er-Ge more than his freedom and power and you know he’ll be there too. Once he realizes he made a mistake the feelings will come back naturally."
Cael looked at Eden unsure. He raised an eyebrow.
"Do you not trust me?"
"I do but I still can’t tell which Whitlock it is and I’m worried he might do something bad once he sees his lover having fun with other people."
Eden said:
"So? In that universe, it’s not like anyone will be able to stop them so they can destroy it for all I care as long as Atlas doesn’t ask this of me ever again and he learns his lesson."
Cael said:
"Just make sure it starts starting the next universe."
Eden nodded and made the connection again.
*Atlas?*
*Yes?*
*I can do it.*
Atlas’ eyes lit up and he asked:
*Can you do it now?*
*Since you’ve already entered this universe I’ll only be able to starting the next.*
Atlas felt a little disappointed but happier that he won’t have to deal with all those overwhelming feelings soon.
*I understand I’ll call you when I’m back at Versal.*
*Okay, I’ll talk to you soon.*
When the connexion was caught Atlas let out a sigh of relief. He’s becoming too used to having Er-Ge and people who love him and it’s messing with his mind.
He can’t wait for the next universe so he can have fun and get revenge without having to feel anything. He doesn’t have to tie himself to one person when in the end he plans on dying.
He’ll have fun with how many people he wants and only care about himself. Atlas’ eyes shone in excitement.
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