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A Survivor's Tale
1. Atlantis
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Joe's home was made of solid stone and was as solid as the times because Joe lived in the most powerful nation on Earth, Atlantis. Joe was fortunate to grow up in one of the strongest shipping nations of its time. Daily he would view the magnificent harbors with their many ships, all with a story of their own. Joe and his father would often walk down to the docks and talk to the many sailors and listen to their stories. Joe always knew in his heart that someday he would become one of those sailors. Joe's father had a special friend at the docks by the name of Captain Hanson. Joe especially liked Captain Hanson and would spend as much time as he could helping out on his ship and listening to the wonderful stories.
In the past few years there has been many serious problems growing between Atlantis and the Europeans. Joe's father, a great naval captain himself, was summoned by his generals and told to sail east on a special mission to the Atlantean outpost Giza. After talking, Joe and his father thought this would be a perfect opportunity for him to start his life at sea for he was now a young man. They walked down to the docks to meet Captain Hanson, who had just come into port from his last trading voyage. After talking with Joe and his dad, Captain Hanson had agreed to take Joe on as first mate and teach him everything he would need to know to become a great seaman. Joe was very excited and eager to grow in the vast knowledge of the sea taught to him by his father.
After three days of loading cargo he would set sail on his first voyage when the sun rose. Joe was much too excited to sleep so he sat on the ship's deck for most of the night. It was a clear night and he could not help notice some bright stars to the north that seemed to get larger and brighter as the night got longer. Joe loved watching the stars because he understood the importance of this wonderful knowledge. As the sun rose, the ship made ready for sail. Joe's father said goodbye to Captain Hanson and his son.
As the ship leaves Atlantis, Joe knows his life has changed forever.
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