"The God Wars" - Chapter Twenty-four: Thief

The God Wars

Chapter Twenty-four:

Thief

By Dwayne MacInnes

After two grueling days of interrogation, the military allowed Hyrtios to leave the city. Hermes smiled inwardly, they were not able to ascertain if he was indeed a spy or not. However, they still had doubts, and the military told him to leave and never return. It was sooner than he expected, but he believed he had some useful information to share with the other Olympians.

Nonetheless, Hermes still had one job to do. If he accomplished it, he could very well swing the balance of power overwhelmingly back towards the gods. He just needed to wait until nightfall then he could follow his plan.

* * * * *

Dr. Reno sat in General Crist's office. If he thought his previous visits were uncomfortable, it was nothing compared to today. The general was visibly angry and barely controlled his rage.

"Who was this man you've been seen with?" General Crist growled.

"His name is Hyrtios, he's a merchant from Hellekos," Reno replied.

"How do you know he is who he claims to be?" Crist countered.

"He said so, just as I believe that you are General Crist," Reno said getting a little hot.

"Don't give me any smart answers," yelled Crist. "You may be in a lot of hot water mister."

"I'm sorry I did not know I had to clear all my acquaintances with you first. How much time did you take in checking out your General Theena?" Reno fired back

General Crist calmed himself down before he continued. It is true he never did tell any of the men to do a clearance check on their Atlantean friends. Even if he did what could they do, other than ask other Atlanteans to vouch for them.

Reno also had a point about Theena. Although, the two had been dating for some days now, Crist had to ask himself how much did he know about her? He had seen her in combat, but other than that, he did not have anything concrete.

The general rubbed his temple. "Okay, fine," Crist acknowledged. "But you are a highly valuable person. You know things and you may say things."

Reno relaxed a bit. It appeared that he had scored against the general. A thing few could boast. Yet, the general did not stop pacing back and forth in front of the scientist.

"I also have it on good authority that you have been getting drunk lately," the general stated.

"I've been under a lot of stress. I like to unwind after a hard days work," Reno said, his face turning slightly red. He was not a drinking man and to have the general insinuate he was a drunkard, embarrassed the scientist.

"I also know that you have been drinking with your new friend, Hyrtios," the general continued. "In fact, I know that he tends to buy the drinks and you do the lion's share of drinking."

Reno could not deny it. It was true even though he never really realized it until now. Dr. Reno started to have his own doubts about the merchant. All Hyrtios ever drank was a glass of wine while he downed shot after shot of whiskey.

The scientist nodded his head in affirmation while he kept his eyes on the floor in shame.

"In addition, I have heard that you like to talk when you are drunk," the general further added. "What do you talk about?"

Reno shot his head up and stared at the grim looking general. Crist's face was stern and his eyes still flashed in rage.

"I...I don't remember everything," Reno started. "Maybe stuff about the machine."

The general's eyes narrowed in a tight slit as he approached the scientist in the chair. Crist lowered his face until he was just inches away from Reno's face.

"You are telling me that you shared classified information with a local?" the general said in a tight cold voice barely above a whisper. A chill ran down Reno's spine, there was no denying he messed up big time.

"Y...yeah," Reno stammered.

"I should have you shot," Crist continued in the same cold whisper. Cold sweat broke out on Reno's face. The general straightened his back and walked to the window overlooking the city. He stared out on the darkening city; many of the electric lights were beginning to shine.

"Relax," Crist finally said, "this is as much my fault as yours. I have been putting a lot of stress on you, and I did not issue any orders about fraternizing with the locals."

General Crist turned back towards Reno. He could see that he had put the fear of God into the scientist. That was good; it would be a long time before he accepted drinks from a stranger again.

"I tell you what," General Crist finally said in a friendly voice. "Take some time off. See a movie or a play. The locals have done well adapting Shakespeare into Minoan."

"But sir," Reno protested. "The work...your timetable. I can't just stop."

"Sure you can," Crist replied. "In fact, this is an order. You are to take two weeks off. You can go anywhere in the city, but you are not to discuss any of your work with the locals."

* * * * *

Reno returned home to his apartment. He unlocked the door and stepped into the black interior. He instinctively flicked the light switch but nothing happened.

"Damn, electricity is out again," Reno cursed. There were still some problems with the power grid. However, a quick glance out his window told him that from the lights in the neighboring buildings that it was not the electricity.

"Hello old friend," said a familiar voice in the darkness.

"Is that you Hyrtios?" Reno inquired. "I thought you were kicked out of the city."

"What are city walls," Hyritos said bringing his face into the ambient light emanating from outside. His face was familiar to Reno, but there were subtle changes, "to Hermes, the god of thieves?"

"What do you mean?" Reno began. "Are you here to rob me?"

"Not exactly," Hermes laughed, "I am here to rob you...."