Atlantis - Return of the Nation

by Steven Cook

M’Varak’s vision started to blur as his body became deprived of oxygen. With an extraordinary effort he levered up his right arm and sucked in a much needed lungful of air before Minotaur adjusted his position and pressed back down on his throat and chest.

  The object digging into his chest caused nearly as much pain as the pressure on his neck.

  ‘OUTWORLDER, GIVE ME YOUR CONSENT.’

  M’Varak’s vision was narrowed down to Minotaur’s face staring down at him in absolute fury.

  ‘OUTCAST, GIVE ME YOUR CONSENT.’

  Minotaur’s head flashed around as he twisted to look at the altar. He could see clearly between the columns and saw Hernet resting his paws on the top of a pedestal.

  ‘No!’ He rose to his feet and ran towards the altar.

  M’Varak lay still, gasping air into his damaged body. Slowly he raised his hand to his chest and felt the object that had been pushed forcibly into it.

  Minotaur stopped short of the energy field and glared through.

  Hernet was standing in a column of light. He turned his head to look at him. The boyish face crinkled into a big grin before a pink tongue was stuck out at him.

  ‘Hernet,’ Danny prompted.

  ‘I am Hernet, one of the Outcast Races. I give consent to the changes.’

  There was a pause.

  ‘CONSENT FROM THE OUTCAST RACE HAS NOT BEEN ACCEPTED.’

  ‘What?’ said Danny, ‘explain?’

  ‘THE DNA OF THE SPHINX IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE SPHINX IS AN ANIMAL.’

  Outside the perimeter of the columns Minotaur began laughing.

  ‘You thought you could carry out the ceremony. You need a Minoan to complete it. You have failed.’

  A small sound came from behind Minotaur.

  ‘They have a Minoan,’ said M’Varak.

  Minotaur twisted around to let his good eye focus on his son.

  ‘What?’

  M’Varak raised his hand, grasping the final eighteen inches of his sword blade.

  ‘They have me.’ He jabbed his arm forward.

  The steel blade tore through Minotaur’s eye and smashed through to his brain. His head snapped back, throwing his body off balance, tearing the blade from M’Varak’s hand. Already dead, and in almost slow motion he fell backwards into the energy barrier.

  The barrier unloaded its energy into the body, instantly turning it into ash. Minotaur disappeared in a cloud of dust.

  ‘Danny, drop the barrier and I will complete the ceremony.’ M’Varak clenched his fist, blood already seeping between the fingers.

  Danny nodded.

  ‘Zeus, turn off the barrier.’

  ‘BARRIER IS OFF.’

  The bright electric blue field toned down to the flickering light. M’Varak walked through and stood beside Hernet.

  ‘Excuse me my friend.’

  Hernet gracefully removed his paws and moved a short distance away and began licking the spots of blood from his paws.

  ‘OUTCAST, GIVE ME YOUR CONSENT.’ The voice of Zeus boomed.

  M’Varak was bathed in light. In his exhausted state he barely noticed the prick of the needles entering his palms.

  ‘I am M’Varak, I am an Outcast. I consent….’

  ‘You are not M’Varak.’ A deep voice burst out.

  They turned to see M’Sorta standing within the perimeter of the columns. The rest of the Minoans were gathered around him. Dingo, Saraph, Fisher, Eraz and Darath were held in plain view.

  ‘Oh shit.’ whispered Craig.

  Hernet stopped grooming and his hackles rose. His wings twitched as he prepared to launch himself.

  ‘What do you mean M’Sorta?’ challenged M’Varak.

  ‘M’Varak is your old name. You are Minotaur now.’ He slowly knelt on one knee and bowed his head.

  ‘You are King of the Minoans.’ One by one the rest of the Minoans knelt to their king.

  ‘That’s just splitting hairs. Can he finish what he needs to say?’ asked Danny.

  M’Varak smiled.

  ‘I am M’Varak, I am an Outcast. I consent to the changes.’

  The atmosphere was tense as they waited.

  ‘DANNY MOREHOUSE. YOUR PETITION AND CONSENT HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. AS ALL RACES HAVE BEEN VERIFIED AND ARE IN AGREEMENT THEIR PETITION HAS BEEN GRANTED. THE PARAMETERS HAVE BEEN AMENDED AND LOCKED. ARCANADIA WILL REACH ITS FINAL POSITION IN FORTY SEVEN HOURS.’

  M’Varak turned to M’Sorta.

  ‘Release the captives, give them their equipment back.’

  ‘Yes Minotaur,’ confirmed M’Sorta.

  Craig let out a cheer.

  ‘We’ve won.’

  ‘We have succeeded here, but fighting is still going on in Atlantis.’ said Saraph as he accepted his weapons from one of the Minoans.

  ‘Can we get in touch with Slim and get him to pass on the new state of play?’ asked Dingo.

  ‘I doubt it,’ said Fisher, ‘we only have small team radios, the big unit was dumped.’

  ‘Could you boost the signal Danny?’ asked Craig.

  Danny thought a moment.

  ‘I’ll give it a go.’

  Dingo passed over his communications unit and his knife. Danny looked for a flat surface and decided upon the altar. Laying out the parts he started tinkering.

  M’Varak motioned M’Sorta over.

  ‘Take the warriors outside and set up camp. We return to Atlantis at first light.’

  ‘Yes Minotaur.’

  M’Varak looked as if he was about to say something but decided against it. Instead he waved M’Sorta away then turned and walked out of the columns to a darkened area.

  Dingo watched him walk away and followed. Silently he stood slightly behind and to one side of the Minoan.

  ‘I’m sorry about your father.’

  ‘He had lost his honour and was trying to destroy the Minoan race.’

  Dingo said nothing for a moment.

  ‘He was still your dad.’ He rested his hand on M’Varak’s shoulder as they began to shake in grief. ‘Come on, let’s get your hand fixed.’

  *

  Chapter Twenty Three - Zeus Ascendant

  Atlantis 28th May

  Atlas looked down at the line of dead warriors. Of the seven honour fights only Ilissus had survived. He and the remaining four warriors were becoming more and more nervous.

  The mood in the Minoan camp was buoyant. Six of their finest warriors had defeated the cream of Atlantis. M’Protun finally decided to put the nail in the coffin and issue his challenge to Atlas.

  He reached and grabbed hold of M’Lunath by the elbow to drag him closer. He moved close and muttered into his ear.

  ‘On my signal begin to attack. If he slays me make him the first to die.’ M’Lunath nodded. M’Protun released him.

  As the Minoan General strode out from their ranks the arena went quiet. The Atlantians realised what was coming, as did the Minoans. The Atlantian warriors turned to face the approaching Minoan.

  A hum of expectancy rose from the Minoan lines as M’Protun reached the centre of the arena. He took his axe and set the butt of the shaft on the ground and rested his hands on the double-edged head.

  ‘Atlas, I challenge you.’ He called out loudly so that all could hear.

  Atlas strode forward.

  ‘I accept your challenge.’

  Two of the warriors hurried up to Atlas and began checking his equipment. The plain armour was in prime condition and fitted like a glove. Atlas lifted his sword belt from around his shoulders and unsheathed the plain blade. His hand slipped through the loop to grip the hilt.

  One of the warriors lifted his shield whilst At
las tightened the loop to prevent the sword from being knocked out of his grip. He then accepted his helmet from the second warrior and set it securely on his head. Finally he accepted the shield and held it out for the warrior to tighten the straps.

  Satisfied he strode out to meet M’Protun. The Minoan had been waiting patiently, idly watching the crowd as he waited. The mood was tense as each hoped for their hero to dispatch the other.

  M’Protun was gripping the head of his axe tighter than it appeared. Although he knew he had the measure of all the other Atlantian warriors he was well aware of Atlas’ reputation as a swordsman.

  As Atlas slowly came to a halt a dozen feet from him he lifted the axe and held it in both hands.

  ‘Honour to your herd,’ said Atlas

  ‘And to your realm,’ M’Protun replied.

  ‘May Zeus guide our hands…’

  ‘..so that we may gain honour in our passing,’ finished M’Protun.

  The two heroes nodded in silent agreement to each other. Neither of them wanted to go through the dishonour of crying out in agony in front of their people. They would rather die quickly.

  ‘Begin,’ called M’Lunath.

  The two stood silently then slowly raised their weapons. They saluted each other then began carefully stepping one way, then the other, examining their opponent to see if they could determine a pattern or weakness.

  M’Protun was hunched over, easily holding the axe in his hands. His overdeveloped muscles made it seem as though he was holding a twig instead of several stone of solid metal. The axe weaved constantly through the air, being both a means of attack and of defence.

  Atlas was also hunched. He held his shield before him, eyes peering evenly at the Minoan. His sword was held at shoulder level, the blade horizontal ready to stab or slash.

  Neither of them realised that the arena had become deathly silent as all eyes were focussed on them. The only sounds were of the Atlantian standards flapping in the slight breeze, and the scuffing noise as each of the warriors carefully placed his feet.

  Atlas was the first to move. He led with his shield held high to deflect the anticipated blow from the axe. The strike, when it came, was heavier than he expected and it slowed his charge. As he pivoted the shield and lunged with his sword he discovered that his opponent was further away than he expected.

  M’Protun refrained from parrying the sword. He merely stepped to one side. The cheers from the Minoan side of the crowd were mocking as the hero of Atlantis stabbed clear air.

  Atlas recovered and resumed his defensive stance. The jeers of the Minoans rang in his ears. His mouth distorted into a snarl.

  M’Protun took the opportunity to reverse his axe and jab the shaft hard into Atlas’ shield. The blow slammed into the shield, transferring the shock through to Atlas’ arm, numbing it for a few seconds. The warrior stepped backwards away from the blow to give his arm chance to get the feeling back in it.

  Again the jeers of the Minoans followed him.

  At the side of the arena Ilissus quietly spoke to Eridanus.

  ‘I think M’Protun has the edge. He is nearly as quick as Atlas and has anticipated his every move.’

  Eridanus shook his head slightly.

  ‘Atlas has this combat planned to the last move. It will appear as though he is loosing, then he will launch a brilliant move that will put his foe on the ground. Remember, I did my training alongside him.’

  ‘It still looks worrying.’ Ilissus commented as Atlas was driven back by the massive Minoan again.

  As she was concentrating on the fight she didn’t see Eridanus mirror her concern.

  *

  White House Situation Room 28th May

  ‘What the hell just happened?’ roared Admiral Kay.

  ‘Phil, post the life satellite feed to the main screen.

  ‘Get a message out to all shipping. Tell them to avoid the Straits of Gibraltar, the South Western coast of Spain and Portugal and the North Western Coast of Africa.’ Admiral Thomas Kay spoke to the room as they looked at the updated satellite track of Arcanadia’s progress across the Atlantic.

  ‘What do we tell them Tom? That an eighty thousand square mile island is steaming towards them at fifteen knots?’ said General Norton.

  The president cut in.

  ‘Get the message out. They will know what’s going on from the media. Do we know where it’s going to end up?’

  ‘Mr President, according to legend, Atlantis was based outside the Pillars of Hercules. They were thought to be where the modern Rock of Gibraltar is.’ said Phil Taylor

  ‘Are you telling me that Atlantis is going to block the Mediterranean Sea?’ exploded General Norton.

  ‘General, it has always been said the Atlantis was an island. It won’t block the straits.’ Taylor explained.

  ‘And it was always said that Atlantis never existed. How do you explain that sonny?’ The General rose to his feet and rested his hands on the solid table surface.

  ‘Colin. Sit down.’ ordered Jack Henry.

  ‘Thank you Jack,’ said the President as he stood examining the live feed on the wall screen.

  ‘What’s the latest from our forces within Atlantis?’

  Phil Taylor looked down at his notes.

  ‘Mr President, we have lost contact with both teams. The last thing we knew for certain was that the Minoan army had entered the city and heavy fighting was taking place. All contact was lost with the team led by Lieutenant Atkinson after the island started moving.

  ‘We haven’t been able to contact Lieutenant Fisher and his team since the nuclear device was unsuccessful.’

  ‘What about satellite?’ The President looked for a lifeline.

  ‘It just confirms what we already know. The Minoans have entered Atlantis, they have control of the Valley containing the Temple of Zeus, and the island as a whole is moving towards Europe and growing.’ He trailed off.

  ‘So what can we do?’

  ‘Not much,’ said Admiral Kay. ‘Our fleet is down the far end of the Med and won’t be able to get out in time. We must consider that we have lost them.’

  ‘Not good.’

  ‘However, it doesn’t affect our Airforce and Army resources in Europe. They still have full mobility.’ said General Fry.

  ‘Until those Minotaurs get their way.’

  ‘Colin, if you don’t have anything useful to add to this you may as well leave.’ snapped the President.

  He drew a deep breath to regain his temper.

  ‘Is there anything we can do to stop this happening?’ he looked around the table, ‘anybody?’

  He was greeted by a set of embarrassed looks from his advisors. The most powerful men in the world had been rendered impotent.

  ‘Inform everybody that we are facing the end of the world as we know it.

  *

  Temple of Zeus 28th May

  ‘Damn it.’ said Danny.

  He dropped the small AN/PRC-343 radio onto the altar alongside the knife he had been using to tweak the wiring.

  ‘What’s up?’ asked Dingo.

  ‘There’s not enough tolerance in the components to boost the gain and increase the range. I attempted to drop the frequency so we could contact the fleet but it’s fried the chip.’

  Dingo looked blankly back at him.

  ‘It’s knackered.’

  ‘Why didn’t you say so?’

  ‘I just did.’

  ‘OK.’ Dingo walked across to where Fisher and Saraph were discussing something quietly. Every now and then they looked up to peer at the small group of Minoans that had remained with M’Varak in the temple.

  ‘Radio’s no good LT.’

  ‘Great. We
’ll have to track back to pick up the main unit. Unless…’

  Fisher got up and strode towards the Minoans.

  ‘M’Varak, can I interrupt?’

  The new Minoan monarch turned to look at the Ranger.

  ‘Yes Fisher?’

  ‘Did M’Sorta or any of his warriors pick up our radio unit?’

  M’Sorta looked at Fisher.

  ‘What does it look like?’

  ‘It’s a box, about so big, covered in the shiny black stuff.’ Fisher held his hands out to give an approximate size of the main unit.

  ‘We did encounter such a box. Minotaur, the old one, smashed it with his axe.’ M’Sorta looked at M’Varak in apology.

  ‘Damn.’ said Fisher.

  The Ranger racked his brain for an alternative way to communicate with the city and came up blank. Exasperated he walked back to where Danny, Dingo and Sophia were standing. M’Varak and M’Sorta followed.

  ‘They smashed the squad radio on the way through.’

  ‘Great,’ said Dingo.

  ‘Do the priests have some way of sending messages to each other? You know like telepathy or whatever.’ Craig waved his hands in the air and laughed.

  Danny looked at him levelly. Slowly he turned and looked at the twin Talos. Something had triggered in his memory.

  ‘Agesilaus, does the Temple of Poseidon in Atlantis have the same mechanisms that this temple has?’

  The priest looked up from where he was sitting with his back against one of the pillars.

  ‘I think so. It is many years since I was an acolyte there.’

  ‘Do they have Talos?’

  ‘Oh yes!’ The priest got to his feet. ‘There are twenty Talos surrounding the Temple.’

  Saraph looked puzzled.

  ‘I have never seen them.’

  ‘They are set in the walls. They are the last defence of the Temple.’

  ‘The statues of the original Lords and Ladies of Atlantis?’ exclaimed Sophia.

  ‘Yes Lady, the statues are Talos.’

  They stood stunned for a few seconds.

  ‘So how do we take control of them?’ asked Danny.

  ‘I am not certain it is possible,’ said Agesilaus.