A story of a fabled land far far away... part IV

And so the System Lords set up their home and called it Atlantis.

It was a fabulous construction, worthy of any prince or regent.

It was light years ahead of any of its competitors and the big chief, King Tony of Sedgefield had agreed to allow public money be given for this construction.

Forsooth, said Michael of the Parish, leader of the System Lords based in ancient Camulodunum where they had their base. This is a bargain, a steal at half the price!

The leaders of the System Lords, said that had made a 12% profit on their investments in Atlantis and in the Burgh of Avalon.

But, three years after their construction at Atlantis was finished they said, By Gum, we must reduce our overheads. Let us go and see the new knights of the Oblong table, and Gwendolen of Goswell.

This they did. The Counsel's advisors were very receptive, poor Parish, they said. You are living in direst poverty: you are only on a salary of £360,000 per year. The titanium walls of your construction are falling down, and yet your profits are up, let us make you an offer you cannot refuse.

They gathered together all the most sacred and clever people--including the most able legal brains like Louise of the Round Table in all of Avalon and asked the question: how do we convince the villagers and the workers and farmers that the Goua'ld are in poverty?

The biggest brains worked on it and concluded: who cares! Let us give them a large sum of money and tell them to cut the wages of the workers and peasants!

John of the East and Gwendolyn were very unhappy but said, never mind, how much do you desire o mighty Parish?

The wizard who led the Goua'ld system lords concluded: a million quid will do me nicely.

So angry were the noble opponents of Prince James that they called a full meeting of all the noblepersons. This meeting was held in the halls of Celestis.

John of the East fiercely polemicised and jousted with Catherine of the West, leader of the opposition faction of noblepeople.

Paul of Barnsbury said nothing.

There was nothing left but for the workers and farmers to fight against the advisors and their decisions and to get Andrew of the Blackberry on their side.

More in part V...