"The God Wars" - Chapter Eighteen: Moving Forward

The God Wars

Chapter Eighteen:

Moving Forward

By Dwayne MacInnes

The city of Zakrostas was in full celebration after its victory over Ares' army. The locals amazed the Otherworlders with many their fantastic celebratory customs. The one that astounded the Otherworlders the most was the bull-leaping or as the locals called it -- taurokathapasia.

Inside the local stadium, which was packed with revelers, a group of teenage boys and girls stood on the field. The youths were clad in only a short kilt to leave their movements unhindered. Released from a pen, a large, long-horned bull would charge into the midst of the teens. One of the youths would then literally grab the bull by the horns and as the bull swung his head back, the youth was vaulted over the beast's back.

One of the other youths would position him or herself behind the animal to catch their vaulting comrade. The bravery and acrobatic skill amazed even the most stoic patron. This event went on for hours to the ecstatic cries of the audience. After it concluded, there was not even one injury amongst the young acrobats.

There was feasting all over the city. Bronze tripods and spits with roasting goats, mutton, and beef sat over blazing fires. The grease of the meats would sizzle as it fell into the flaming pits releasing a savory aroma into the air. On such occasions as the victory celebration, the vendors dispensed the food at no charge to anyone wanting it.

The alcohol flowed just as freely. The revelers enjoyed copious amounts of Atlantean beer, mead, and wine leaving many intoxicated. Remarkably enough there were few complaints of disorderly conduct.

Even if one did not want to enjoy the games, food, or drink, he or she could listen to the many songs played by the musicians around Zakrostas. The pleasant aroma of food and the sweet sounds of music filled the air all through the day and into the night. Never had the city been so alive with merriment.

The partying lasted a full three days. After it finally died down, General Crist called a meeting of his top military leaders. He was happy to see Theena attending. The woman had adapted well into her role of general of the local forces.

Since the days of Ares's defeat, General Crist had gone on a program of promoting officers and awarding medals. The latter was new to this world. Historically, Napoleon awarded the first campaign medals to his soldiers during the Napoleonic wars on earth about 150 years ago.

The new Atlantean Gold Star and Atlantean Silver Star for service and the Zakrostian Campaign medal proved very popular amongst the American soldiers as it did amongst the Zakrostian. The Zakrostians awarded one of the new medals would proudly display it on their chest as they walked down the streets.

Theena was one of the few to receive both the Gold and Silver Star for valor and bravery for her actions in the trenches. Now the woman sat around a large polished oak table with the rest of the officers of the new army. General Crist shuffled some papers in front of him before he started the meeting.

"Okay, people," the general said. "We must start thinking about holding democratic elections.

"I want the offices held by both native Atlanteans and us Otherworlders. I want the government set up like our own in the U.S."

Captain Bolger of the Olympus raised his hand, "I say old chap have you considered our system of government back in England?"

"I have," Crist replied. "But the local aristocrats have left town so assembling a House of Lords will be rather difficult."

Many of the Otherworlder officers chuckled. Theena felt like she missed the joke and only watched the exchange between the two men. She wondered why the language that they spoke, which they called English, strangely did not have the same accent. Theena could understand a lot of the new language, but like most of the local officers at the meeting, she had an interpreter on hand.

"Point taken," Bolger said with a smile. "However, when we get back home, I plan on lodging a complaint with Eisenhower."

The chuckles now became full laughs amongst the Otherworlders. The locals sat quietly feeling a bit left out. General Crist nodded his head smiling before continuing with his agenda.

"We must also start rushing the construction of factories. We must have new ships for Admiral Arnolds's navy," General Crist stated looking towards the captain of the Pima. The general decided that as long as they were stuck on this world, they would at least temporarily promote the most able commanders. This would help build up the Atlantean naval and land forces.

"We also need ammunition and replacement parts for our weapons. Even though we can produce steel, we cannot refine aluminum at this time. Therefore, we are limited to the aircraft we have on hand."

Colonel Hodgson cleared his voice, "General Sir," the new air corps commander interrupted. "We can try to manufacture planes like the British Hawker Hurricane. The planes were constructed primarily from wood and fabric. Rubber for the tires and the construction of a good engine would be the main obstacle."

Bolger smiled with pride at Hodgson's proposal. The American pilot had obviously paid attention to the Battle of Britain. Nevertheless, the Spitfire received the lion's share of the glory for winning the battle. The smaller Hurricane's numbers finally wore the Germens down, primarily because it was easy to construct and repair.

"I never thought of that," General Crist replied writing the suggestion down on a pad of paper. "Speaking of construction, I want a fort built north of here near the village of Knopso." The general looked over at Theena.

"General Theena will lead a force of engineers and soldiers north as soon as possible."

Theena smiled. She was pleased when the general first proposed a fort to act as an advanced warning of another attack. Such a fortification could have delayed Ares long enough for reinforcements to arrive and the scorched earth policies that Theena employed would not need to have happened.

Crist handpicked Theena because she knew the area. Further, she had the respect from the people of the neighboring villages. The peasant militias would rally to her much more willingly than they would to a Zakrostian or Otherworlder commander.

Crist also charged her with training the militias. The Jolly Rogers would accompany her to help modernize the ancient forces. They would guide her in the best designs for a fort as well as its placement. They would also bring some artillery pieces along.

As they proceeded north, they would string telegraph lines; therefore, the frontier could communicate directly to Zakrostas. To minimize the chances of another surprise attack, General Crist ordered other small outposts to be constructed.

Such wisdom and strategy would have been worthy of Odysseus noted Theena.