by Steven Cook
âHelp yourself,â John Sheen indicated a pot of coffee.
âMr President, the payload has landed on the carrier and is being unloaded as we speak. Admiral Cockwell has received a request from Lieutenant Julian Fisher of the Rangers to the effect that he be able to parachute back onto the island to lead the survivors out.
âThis would enable us to control their location as we would be able to provide shielded communications,â he paused.
âGeneral, what do you think?â
General Norton shuffled back into the sofa, stroking the stubble on his chin.
âI gather this Ranger is the squad leader who lost everybody on the beach?â he looked at Taylor.
âYes sir.â
âThen I donât think we should be leaving this to him. We need to find out why one of our officers led his men into a situation where all but a couple died. Itâs not what I expect from my officers. Besides, I donât want somebody going in all gung ho looking for revenge.â
âAdmiral Cockwell has questioned Lieutenant Fisher about the events and believes his mental state is fine. Fisher says he has met and understands the locals.â
Ciuffetelli spoke quietly from the window, addressing his counterpart from the Army.
âColin, any of your officers facing that situation would have done the same. They acted under our accepted code of conduct. The enemy we are facing has no concept of international treaties or conventions. Prisoners could be executed or ransomed as their captors saw fit. There is no international law that they adhere to that will bring them to court. Let him carry out the initial contact.â
General Norton considered the Marineâs comments.
âDo we have any guarantees the equipment is properly shielded? Theyâve got it coated quicker than I expected.â
âThe material lends itself well to what we required. As soon as the equipment is unloaded from the Hercules they are going to go in and test it.â Taylor replied.
âOK. I donât necessarily think heâs the best man for the job, but he has met the natives. If the test goes to plan he can parachute in to wherever the survivors are.â
âAlright. Phil, you said the survivors had contacted us as well?â Jack Henry directed the conversation.
âYes sir. They are in the company of one of the factions. This faction is against using their technology to take over the world. There is going to be a discussion about what happens in the next couple of hours. The meeting is taking place in the centre of the city.â
Taylor indicated a large building in the centre of the island.
âIntelligence shows that delegations from each of the factions are heading here. Unfortunately, we donât know who are friendly and which are in league against us. Also there are these âMinoansâ who are all for taking over the world. They are liable to cause problems but are outside the city at this time.â
âWhy are they going there?â The President asked.
Taylor continued.
âBased on the update, that is where their leader carries out his business. From the legend we assume itâs the Temple of Poseidon. Itâs surrounded by a large open space. The central island that itâs on can only be reached by these four bridges.â He indicated the strange âTâ shaped constructions.
âAlright. Colin, I want you to come up with a plan of gaining control of that building if we need to and a back up of destroying it. Phil, let Admiral Cockwell know that Fisher can jump in if the test works.
âMake sure that communications are up and running and we have live satellite imagery so we can let this Fisher know what is happening as soon as we spot it. Itâs time we did something to help our people. I want updates every hour.â The two men stood and left the room.
âJack, can you get Alison to bring in something other than coffee, itâs starting to upset my stomach.â
Jack Henry followed the General and the aide out of the office to speak to the Presidentâs secretary. The President sat back and relaxed, happy that they were starting to gain some control of the situation.
*
Southern shore Arcanadia 24th May
The small inflatable zodiac had easily negotiated the reef. The small unit of four men drove the boat through the slight swell with synchronous, short efficient strokes of their paddles.
As the keel grated over the shingle the forward two men leapt over the gunwale and held the boat steady.
Petty Officer Phil Cargill jumped out of the boat and made his way a short distance up the beach. Carefully he looked around. The early morning light in the clear air allowed him to see to the horizon in every direction. Seeing nobody he lifted the flap of his holster and drew out a Sig Sauer P228 pistol. The pistol was coated in a highly shiny black ceramic shell.
Carefully keeping the muzzle pointed away from him and his colleagues he pulled back on the slide and released it to chamber a round. After another look around he aimed as a patch of sand, wanting the anticipated round to be absorbed by it rather than ricocheting off the shingle.
Gently he squeezed the trigger. With a crack the round was fired and the weapon cycled another round into the chamber. The spent shell case flipped up and to the right. Cargill soaked up the recoil then gave the weapon a quick check before re-aiming and firing again.
This time he didnât pause, instead electing to empty the magazine into the ground. As the last case was ejected the breech locked open. Satisfied he ejected the empty magazine and replaced it with a fresh magazine. He released the slide catch, chambering a round in the process.
Finally he engaged the safety before returning the pistol to the holster. He knelt and collected the thirteen shell cases and placed them carefully in his pocket.
Cargill returned to the boat and took the offered M4 Carbine from the sailor sitting in the zodiac. He strode up the beach, more confident with the situation. Taking the carbine in his left hand he pulled back the âTâ shaped cocking handle to load the weapon.
Taking the pistol grip in his right hand and wrapping the sling around his left forearm he raised the stock to his shoulder. He was about to pull the trigger when motion up the beach caught his eye.
A huge man shaped creature stepped out of the shadows of the trees and began striding towards him. Cargill took an involuntary step backwards as he saw the bullhead of the Minoan.
âWhat the hell is that?â He took a closer look at the creature then lifted the carbine back to his eyes.
The Minoan continued down the beach towards Cargill. As it approached he checked it over.
âBody Armour â unknown type, best avoid that area, which leaves the head, hardly a small target.â he muttered to himself.
âStop! Stand still with your hands where I can see them.â Cargill called to the creature. He sensed his team moving out on either side to flank him.
Instead of stopping the creature started jogging towards them. It reached over its shoulder to draw a sword with a five-foot blade in a single sweeping motion.
Cargill dropped the muzzle of the carbine and fire a burst of three rounds into the sand at the creatureâs feet. Instead of serving as a deterrent, the Minoan increased its speed, drawing back the sword to strike.
Presented with no further options Cargill raised the muzzle and pulled the trigger. The three round burst stitched across the creatures face, tearing flesh from the skull but not penetrating the heavy bone.
Cargill would have like the fully automatic option but this particular weapon was restricted. He re-aimed and started to fire short bursts, first at the head, then at the body. To either side, the other sailors had drawn their side arms and had joined in the fusillade.
Finally, as the rounds continued to slam into its body and head, the Minoan slowed.
âCease fire; keep an eye on the trees.â Cargill ejected the empty magazine fr
om the carbine, and without taking his eyes from the Minoan, slapped a new one in place.
The Minoan was still standing, swaying slightly. It coughed, exploding blood over the sand. As its eyes finally dimmed it collapsed face down on the sand. Its horns ended up barely two feet from Cargillâs feet.
Cargill stepped beside it and felt for a pulse in the thick neck. Feeling nothing he called to the others.
âHelp me shift this thing. Iâm sure the top bods will want to examine it.â
The sailors gathered around the Minoan and dragged it towards the zodiac. After a few minutes of heaving they loaded the heavy body. Quickly they pushed the boat back into the surf.
Cargill sat in the stern of the inflatable. He looked back up the beach, and then looked down to unship the motor and lower the propellers into the water.
âTest the radio, Iâll get this going.â
As he prepared to start the motor he heard the success of one of the final tests as the sailor to the prow of the boat attempted to contact H.M.S. Daring and received a clear reply.
âIt works sir,â said the sailor needlessly.
Cargill looked back up the beach one last time. Something hadnât been right about the way the creature had attacked them. It made no sense. Any rational creature would have fled or surrendered once it was injured.
He gave up trying to figure the islands inhabitants. With a bark and a burst of exhaust fumes the engine started on the first attempt. Cargill opened the throttle and the zodiac drew easily through the surf away from the island.
Back up the beach, hidden from view two pairs of eyes were watching.
âZeusâ hairy balls,â the Minoan cursed.
His companion looked at him in disgust.
âCome on, we had better shift. Minotaur will want to know that the Outworlders weapons work.â
âShame about MâTorab, it took them a long time to kill him. I did not think he was that tough,â said the first.
âI think if you can get within thirty feet before they start using them you could get close enough to strike. Anyway, it could have been one of us.â The second looked down at the long piece of grass still held in his hand.
Together they stood and pushed their way back into the trees.
*
Atlantis Inner Island 24th May
Danny marvelled at the architecture around him. All the buildings were made of the palest, most translucent marble he had ever seen. If he had the time he would have wandered off to explore. Instead he was almost jogging to keep up the brisk pace set by General Ilissus.
Every once in a while he looked back the way they had come to see how close Citizen Carathrides and his honour guard had progressed. Even from a distance he could see the red face of the man struggling to catch up to the Fifth delegation.
The small column marched around a corner, and the largest building Danny had seen in Atlantis faced them. He didnât have to guess that this was the Temple of Poseidon.
As they approached the early morning sun reflected brightly on the Silver walls, making it difficult to make out the gold statues that Danny assumed were images of the previous kings and queens of the provinces.
Soon they passed within the shadow of the building, which Danny estimated as being over six hundred feet long and half as wide. The roof was at least one hundred and fifty feet above the pavement.
They gazed up in wonder at the building, noticing the artwork and gold pinnacles surrounding the roof. They passed a squad of guards and entered the temple.
The contrast in heat to the outside was a pleasant change. The glare was reduced and they could see that the use of precious metals had continued. Gold, Silver and Orichalcum coated the walls and pillars. The ceiling was made of a white material that Danny couldnât quite place.
Eraz, walking beside him noticed his focus and spoke quietly, his usual exuberance muted.
âIt is made from elephant teeth.â
Danny looked at him. Realisation hit him.
âIvory. My god, this building is priceless.â
The delegation moved further down the temple. It was devoid of the obstructions normally found in the churches that Danny had experience of. After a hundred feet they deviated from the centre of the floor to bypass a huge statue.
The statue was of Poseidon himself, feet braced solidly in a chariot being drawn by six winged Pegasi. The statue was so big that the head disappeared into gloom near the ceiling. Surrounding the statue were smaller statues of exotic looking humans riding dolphins.
âNaiads,â Eraz continued his quiet guidance.
They continued past the statues into the depths of the temple. They became aware of the murmur of conversation before they saw the crowd.
Hundreds of people were gathered in distinct groups based on the faction that they were aligned with. The groups were aligned in a half circle of eight segments facing a two tiered platform, upon which a further two factions were gathered.
Members of the faction on the lower tier were trying to gain control of the proceedings, and as Danny watched, one of the guards forcibly pushed back a delegate from a lesser faction and issued a pointed reprimand accompanied by a thrust of a finger.
The dissenting delegate joined his companions whilst sending angry looks at the guard.
General Ilissus guided her column neatly into place with the rest of the Fifth delegation. The elegantly dressed man at the head of the delegation greeted her warmly. He scanned the rest of the new arrivals and his gaze lingered on the sailors.
âGeneral, it is good to see you. Are these the men your message relates to?â
âYes Mneseus. My sons have been travelling with them and they have earned his trust and respect.â
âThen they have my trust and respect as well,â said the statesman graciously.
Mneseus moved to greet each of the sailors in turn. Upon closer inspection, they were surprised to see how old he appeared. His skin had a translucent quality that showed his age, but his bearing and mobility seemed to be that of a man of middle age.
There was a commotion beside them as Carathrides pushed his way to the front of the Sixth Delegation and stood staring at Ilissus. The leader of his delegation had a few quiet words with him that brought an evil smile to his face. Looking over at the Fifth the smile grew broader.
âI donât like the look of that,â said Fitz quietly to Danny and Eraz.
Everybodyâs attention switched from their individual conversations to the main platform as a staff of Ebony capped with Orichalcum was rapped sharply onto the marble floor.
A courtier stood forward and struck the staff on the floor to silence the final few lingering conversations still taking place.
âPray silence for the Overlord of Arcanadia, Protector of the Ten Realms, First Citizen of the First Realm and King of Atlantis.â He paused.
âPray silence for Atlas.â He stepped back and bowed as a large man stood up onto the highest platform and strode to the front. The crowd of delegates broke into spontaneous applause.
Atlas was a huge man, nearly seven feet tall. He was dressed in a cross between civilian attire and a military uniform, with elaborate beading and cording complimenting the Orichalcum armour banding. A sword was hung in a scabbard at this belt. His physical appearance confirmed his martial prowess.
Atlas looked over the crowd through his pale grey eyes, letting the adoration wash over him for a few minutes. Finally he raised his arms to quiet them.
âWelcome to the delegations from the Outer Realms. You are gathered to hear the petitions brought before me and to abide by my decisions, as guided by the Laws of Atlantis.â He gestured to a large pillar in the shadows that were behind the platform.
The pillar was at least ten feet in diameter and reached most of the way to the ceiling. Inscribed all around it was text relating to the Laws of Atlantis. Atlas sat in the
immense throne that stood on the second platform.
âWhat is the first item brought before me?â
The Courtier stepped forward.
âThe first item is a call for a confirmation on the decision to petition Poseidon to keep Arcanadia in the world. We have been raised for four days, which as everybody knows is the longest we have been raised since we descended.â The courtier stood back to let Atlas take over.
âI have taken a decision based on what I believe to be in the best interests of all citizens within Arcanadia,â he paused, playing the crowd.
âArcanadia has returned from exile. We are back in the world. I petitioned Poseidon and he heard my humble plea. Arcanadia will rise fully in three more days. The northern and western plains will finally face the sun once more. No longer will we remain apart from the world. The citizens of Atlantis have earned the right to stand proud and regain their position in the world.â
The crowd broke into cheers, several factions more enthusiastically than others.
Mneseus stood forward.
âYes?â Asked Atlas
âMy Lord, what of the reports that the priests of Poseidon have been slaughtered?â
Mneseus noticed that Atlasâ eyes narrowed slightly.
âIt is true that the priests have been killed. Our investigations have found that a stranger broke in and killed them as they were clearing up after the ceremony. He killed himself to prevent us from finding out who ordered the attack. His activities are being traced and we will find out who assisted him.â
Mneseus stepped back, thoughts running through his head.
The courtier stepped forward again.
âThe second item is to discuss taking a petition to Zeus to enable Arcanadia to regain its position as the foremost civilisation.â
The delegate from the Sixth stepped forward.
âYes Autochthon.â
âMy Lord Atlas. The Sixth Realm proposes that Zeus is petitioned to extend the power of Arcanadia throughout the world. We have evidence that the world has progressed with technology but not with morality. By enforcing the power of Arcanadia across the world we will be able to bring peace to the regions.â
