Atlantis - Return of the Nation

Atlantis - Return of the Nation Page 45

by Steven Cook

  The remaining Talos dropped down from the rooftops and joined Saraph’s to create a thin line between the armies.

  Atlas and M’Protun pushed their ways to the front of the lines to look at the strange machines that were now standing stock still. The Minoans were facing M’Varak and the Minoan Talos, whilst Saraph and the other Fifth Realm warriors faced the Atlantians. The Talos controlled by Danny and Craig were the only ones in motion as their heads swept from side to side, scanning each of the opposing armies.

  ‘What in the name of Zeus is happening?’ roared Atlas.

  Saraph slowly turned the head of the Talos to stare at Atlas.

  ‘IT IS FINISHED,’ he declared.

  *

  Chapter Twenty Four - Justice

  Atlantis 28th May

  Atlas looked stunned as the voice boomed towards him.

  ‘Who are you, what do you mean?’ He shouted upwards.

  Around him everything became silent as human and Minoan alike strained to hear the words.

  ‘I AM SARAPH. I AM LINKED TO THIS TALOS FROM THE TEMPLE OF ZEUS. THE PROCESS TO DETERMINE HOW ARCANADIA WILL REMAIN IN THE WORLD HAS BEEN COMPLETED.’

  Atlas squinted to look up at the likeness of Saraph.

  ‘How is this possible?’

  Danny moved his Talos to stand next to Saraph’s.

  ‘WE WERE ABLE TO GATHER THE REQUIRED REPRESENTATIVES TO CARRY OUT THE CEREMONY.’ His voice echoed from the face that had taken his own features.

  ‘Outworlder!’ spat Atlas, ‘you have no right to interfere in our ascension.’

  M’Varak’s Talos turned from where he had been scanning the ranks of the Minoans to fix Atlas with a metallic stare.

  ‘OUR ONLY RIGHT WAS TO DECIDE WHETHER WE WANT TO JOIN THE WORLD.’

  ‘Who are you?’

  M’Sorta moved up alongside the other three Talos, presenting Atlas with a solid line of Orichalcum statues.

  ‘HE IS MINOTAUR, KING OF THE MINOANS.’

  Atlas snorted derisively.

  ‘He is not Minotaur. You may all look and smell alike, but I can tell he is not Minotaur.’

  ‘MINOTAUR IS A RANK, NOT A PERSON. M’VARAK HAS DEFEATED THE OLD MINOTAUR IN COMBAT. HE NOW WEARS THE MANTLE OF KING.’

  Amongst the ranks of the Minoans word of M’Sorta’s declaration was spreading from one Minoan to another. A steady rumble of discussion caused Atlas and M’Protun to turn to their lines and call for silence.

  As quiet fell M’Varak turned his Talos to face the Minoans again.

  ‘MY PEOPLE, I AM YOUR KING. RETURN TO YOUR VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. MY GENERALS AND I WILL DISCUSS PEACE WITH ATLANTIS.’

  Some of the more influential Minoans looked at the Talos bearing a resemblance to M’Sorta. When he nodded they turned and began shouting.

  ‘Withdraw. Pull back beyond the walls and form into units.’

  Atlas looked stunned as the Minoans began to withdraw in well-disciplined ranks. M’Sorta and the other Minoan Talos tracked their progress, leaving M’Varak standing close to the others.

  ‘What are you doing? This is our chance to eradicate their filth.’

  Atlas turned to the massed ranks of the Atlantian army.

  ‘Attack.’ He waved his arm towards the retreating Minoans.

  ‘Atlantis, hold your positions,’ called Ilissus.

  The authority and calm in Ilissus’ voice was in stark contrast to the spitting fury of Atlas. The ranks held firm as Atlas charged at the rear of the Minoan formation.

  Eraz was the first to move. He caused his Talos to charge forward. As Atlas began his first swing with his sword the Talos slammed down its shield in front of the charging warrior.

  Atlas’ sword hacked into the side of the shield, barely marking it. The shock reverberated through his arm, throwing him off balance. As he was still charging forward he slammed into the shield with enough force to send him flying backwards stunned.

  ‘Disarm Atlas and bind him so he cannot hurt himself or anybody else,’ said Gravioran.

  Several warriors ran from the ranks and carried out the task. Gravioran made a quick decision.

  ‘Take Atlas to Ilissus’ Palace and hold him there until we can convene a full council.’

  He looked at the Talos gathered around.

  ‘Outworlders, when can you be back in Atlantis? I think we need to discuss our position within the world with some of your leaders.’

  Coran spoke for them.

  ‘WE CAN BE BACK IN THREE DAYS,’ his Talos intoned.

  Ilissus spoke to Atkinson where he stood unsteadily amongst the Atlantian warriors, supported by the remains of his squad.

  ‘Can you contact your people and arrange for them to come here?’

  ‘I’m sure if we can get to the coast we will be able to contact one of the naval vessels offshore,’ he confirmed, ‘I’ll be able to let you know how soon shortly after that.’

  ‘WE WILL START BACK IMMEDIATELY,’ said Saraph.

  As one the Talos turned and fell into line, heading back to their positions in the walls of the temple.

  ‘Let us prepare for this meeting,’ said Gravioran.

  *

  South Portugal 31st May

  Bernaldo sat on the low bluff looking out to sea. The sun was slowly descending; creating a sunset that would normally make the boys breath catch in his throat. However, this evening something even more amazing had totally captured his attention.

  Out in the Atlantic he could see the dark landmass of Arcanadia slowly appearing. The mountains were still high enough in the atmosphere to catch the remaining sunlight, making it easy for the boy to track the motion.

  In the darkness ahead of the island he could see the lights of numerous ships clearing the path of errant shipping.

  ‘How long papa?’ He looked over his shoulder at the gentle face of his father.

  ‘Not long now son.’ His father knelt and rested his palms on the boy’s shoulders.

  All along the cliff there were people sitting and standing. The reappearance of legendary Atlantis was a once in a lifetime moment, and people had travelled for hundreds, if not thousands of miles to see it return to its place.

  Earlier on in the evening there had been an almost party atmosphere, with numerous barbeques being lit. Alcohol had been freely flowing and spirits had been high.

  There had been a few disagreements, especially when a group of polytheists from Germany had got into a heated discussion with some representatives of the local Catholic Church. It wasn’t helped by the group of pagans from Scotland who found the whole issue highly amusing. It had taken the local police nearly an hour to break up the argument.

  As time passed and the island slowly came into view all conversation had ceased as the wonder of the massive island creeping over the horizon awed the watching thousands.

  A bright light swept over the crowds lining the cliff as a Portuguese Naval patrol boat slowly passed by half a mile out to sea. The combined fleets were taking no chances and were maintaining a strict no-sail and no-fly zone along the islands predicted path.

  Without warning the island stopped dead, throwing a wall of water forward. The Atlantic easily swallowed the slow moving wave as if nothing had happened.

  ‘Come along son, let’s get you to bed. We will see what happens when they meet the world’s leaders next week.’

  Reluctantly Bernaldo followed his father, stealing glances back over his shoulder as long as he could still see the island. Finally he gave in to the tugging on his hand. After all, it would still be there for him to see tomorrow.

  Barely two hundred miles away in the Temple of Zeus, Agesilaus looked around as Zeus voice boomed out.

  ‘ARCANADIA HAS ATTAINED FINAL LOCATION OF 35 DEGREES 58 MINUTES NORTH, 8 DEGR
EES 14MINUTES WEST.’

  ‘Thank you Zeus.’

  The hidden lighting in the temple dimmed slightly. Agesilaus looked up at the craggy ceiling before continuing with his duties.

  *

  Fifth/Sixth Realm Beach 1st June

  For the past several hours, since before dawn, a detachment of US engineers had been turning the uneven surface of the shingled beach into an environment suitable of hosting an international gathering of some of the most powerful men and women in the world.

  Several bulldozers and cranes had been brought ashore and had quickly flattened the beach and covered it with a hard standing of metal sheeting normally used to repair damaged runways. For the first hour or so the engineers had nervously operated under the steady gaze of several hundred Atlantian warriors who had stood immobile, spears grounded and faces hidden by their helmets.

  They had finally relaxed, and the work had progressed at a faster pace. Little did they know that they were also being scrutinised by a similar number of Minoans hidden within the tree line.

  Shortly after noon a small delegation came out of the trees. They paused for a while before one of them spotted the officer in charge of the works.

  Work stopped as the group moved down the beach towards the officer. He was standing with his back to the group but quickly looked up as silence fell around him.

  Lieutenant Fisher led Saraph, Danny and General Gravioran towards the officer. He stopped a short distance away and saluted.

  ‘Major, Lieutenant Julian Fisher, 75th Rangers. May I introduce Able Seaman Danny Morehouse; Saraph, First Captain of the Fifth Border Phalanx and General Gravioran of the First Realm Heavy Infantry.’

  The Major returned the salute.

  ‘Lieutenant, Sailor.’ He nodded at them. ‘Captain, General, it’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’m Major Chris Wilkes, US Army Corp of Engineers. I hope our efforts are to your satisfaction.’ He waved at the work around them.

  Saraph and Gravioran looked around at the beach. They exchanged a quick glance as one of the bulldozers continued to shove an increasing pile of sand and shingle away from the prepared surface.

  ‘May we have a look at that…’ Saraph waved his hand at the bulldozer, attempting to come up with a word for it.

  ‘It’s a D9 military bulldozer, capable of shifting tons of earth and rocks whilst protecting the driver from anything up to and including Rocket Propelled Grenades.’ The Major waved for the driver to shut off the engine so the Atlantian officers could examine the machine.

  Saraph moved round one side of the bulldozer to examine the heavy blade, whilst Gravioran moved towards the cabin with the Major. Danny idly followed Saraph, mildly amused by the interest and bemusement being shown by Saraph and Gravioran.

  As soon as he was out of view from the major Saraph quickly looked around to see who could see him. He smiled apologetically at Danny as he drew his knife and gently pushed it point first at the heavy blade of the bulldozer.

  It didn’t surprise Danny when the Orichalcum blade easily sliced through the heavy steel blade with little resistance. Saraph withdrew the knife and returned it to the sheath at his waist.

  ‘We needed to know.’ He apologised to Danny.

  Danny moved up alongside him, bent over and scooped up a handful of moist sand. He smiled as he smeared it over the fresh scar of the incision.

  ‘I can understand why,’ he said, ‘I won’t say anything.’

  The two walked back around to where the Major was explaining the controls to Gravioran who broke off his avid concentration to look at Saraph. Saraph barely nodded at the General.

  They spent a few more minutes looking over the machinery then walked away. The serviceman behind the controls turned the key to restart the engine. It turned over once or twice then died. He checked the gauges and tried again.

  Danny stopped and looked back at the caterpillar as the rest of the group continued walking. He could see the man try again and again to start the engine. Suddenly it burst back into life.

  With a glint of suspicion in his eye Danny measured the distance between the two Atlantians and the caterpillar. It seemed that they had walked about fifty feet from it.

  ‘Can we have a look at the landing pier?’ he called out, indicating the prefabricated landing that reached some distance out into the lagoon.

  ‘Sure,’ said the major, altering course.

  Danny trailed behind, watching as the group walked closer and closer to the pier. At the pier a tender was tied up with the engine in idle whilst its crew unloaded some equipment.

  As the group passed an invisible line the tender’s engine coughed and died. Danny pursed his lips in thought. Could the Orichalcum have an area affect? If it did it certainly made things interesting.

  ‘Maybe we’d better leave you to it Major,’ said Danny.

  ‘Indeed,’ said the officer absently as he looked at the tender.

  ‘We need to get back to Atlantis for the trial,’ said Gravioran.

  ‘Of course.’ The major focussed his attention on the group and saluted.

  The group made there way back up the beach and melted into the trees. The ranks of Atlantian warriors looked on impassively.

  *

  Temple of Poseidon 1st June

  Atlas stood and faced the seated ranks of citizens facing him. For once the loyalty to individual realms had been forgotten and the crowd were mixed according to when they had arrived and where there were available seats. Along the front row sat the First Citizens of each of the Realms, except for Atlas’ position and the seat of Gadeirus of the Second Realm.

  The First Citizen of Atlantis was dressed in a simple tunic held at his waist with a simple leather belt. All of his badges of rank had been removed from him and the only thing that suggested his rank was his haughty glare and proud stance.

  To one side half a dozen Minoans dressed in black lacquered leather armour flanked by a group comprising of Danny, Craig, Carl, Fisher, Dingo and M’Varak. Several of the nearest Atlantians gave the group surreptitious glances every now and then, obviously uncomfortable at the close presence of the warriors.

  Ilissus walked to the front of the congregation and stood facing Atlas.

  ‘As a pure blooded Atlantian I have been asked by the majority of First Citizens of Atlantis to question you and seek judgement on your actions. Do you have any objections to me asking in this capacity?’

  Atlas looked down at Ilissus and sneered.

  ‘No,’ he said, raising his eyes to look over the gathered crowd.

  Ilissus unrolled a scroll and began reading.

  ‘Atlas, First Citizen of the First Realm of Atlantis, Overlord of Arcanadia and King of Atlantis. You are charged with the following crimes against the Citizens of Atlantis as ordained in the Laws of Atlantis.

  ‘Charge One - Spilling blood in the Temple of Poseidon. Charge Two - Murdering the Priests of the Temple of Poseidon. Charge Three - Inviting Minoans into Atlantis. Charge Four - Murder of Eumelus, First Citizen of the Second Realm. Charge Five - Entering into an alliance with our foes. Charge Six - Ordering the death of shipwrecked sailors. Charge Seven - Attacking a foe when cessation of hostilities has been called. Charge Eight - Acting without honour in all of the above charges.’

  Ilissus rolled up the scroll.

  ‘What is your defence?’

  Atlas looked back down at her; the arrogance on his face was easily visible to everybody.

  ‘I need no defence. I am the lawful King of Atlantis and have the right to do as I see fit. I declare this court unlawful. Guards, arrest every officer and First Citizen.’

  Several of the guards standing in the shadows made to move forward.

  ‘One minute.’

  Fisher stood up.

  ‘Arrest them too,’ spat Atlas.

  ‘Listen to what I have to s
ay,’ ordered Fisher in his best parade ground voice.

  The guards stopped, looking at Atlas questioningly.

  ‘You have two options as I see it. You can go along with the fair trial that has been offered to you by your peers.’ He waved at the gathered representatives. ‘Or you can flex your muscles and carry on the way you are going. If you do the first Arcanadia will be able to join the world and negotiate its position. If you insist on the second, you will face the wrath of the rest of the world.’

  ‘Atlantis ruled the world. They will do so again,’ vowed Atlas.

  ‘They won’t when the US equips all of its weapons with protective casings so your defensive system is neutralised. Our tanks, planes and ships will pound anybody who opposes us back to the Stone Age. You will be brought to justice one way or the other.’

  Behind him Fisher didn’t see Danny and Craig exchange unbelieving stares, or Dingo’s face suddenly going pale.

  ‘LT.’ Dingo said quietly.

  Fisher ignored the low warning and the shocked looks of the Atlantians. The Minoans had been shaken out of their immobility and were looking at each other. Even Atlas looked stunned at the outburst.

  ‘Lieutenant Fisher,’ Danny surprised himself by speaking out.

  ‘What is it Danny?’

  ‘Can I suggest that you retract your threat? Arcanadia has just returned to the world after thousands of years. They have no knowledge of the politics that are currently in place. They have not signed any treaties or conventions with the international community. It could even be considered that your squad parachuting onto the island could be construed as an act of war. According to what I understand about ancient history, any soldier captured could be executed or held to ransom, depending on the circumstances.’

  Danny held up his hand to cut Fisher’s response off before he made it.

  ‘I don’t agree with some of the events that have happened, but it is their sovereign island and they have the right to carry out their laws. We can make our requests but it’s their choice at the end of the day.’

  Fisher glared at Danny the turned to Ilissus.

 

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