Trojan War Chapter 33

 

33.

The defeat at Outpost Six dampened the mood of the victors although they have captured and destroyed the other outposts. Aeneas the King of the Dardanes was upset at the loss of the destroyer. It was the gathering of the leaders to discuss the next move on Troy.

“I will have my vengeance on the women.” Aeneas had seen the vids that showed the death of his warriors. “The Queen will hold mercy from me when I captured her.”

“Rest assured, Aeneas. We will destroy them all.” King Menelaus assured the other leader. “The war with the Trojan may have now engulfed the Frontier which is fine by me. The Frontier has posed to be a menace but this round, we are all united. We can defeat them all.”

“Your Archaeon confidence is not well received,” Aeneas utter out. “Your members have staged protests on the war.”

It was unfortunate that Iphigenia, the daughter of Agamemnon had formed protest groups on the Archaeon worlds calling for equality among the genders, and the recent war against Troy.

“We shall not declare war over a lady.” The term ‘lady’ was considered not to be said in equal terms then. That line was the latest call by the protest groups.

“Iphigenia, the enforcers are deployed.” Iphigenia was cautioned by her aide. The young lady was the daughter of Agamemnon and held her father’s characters. She was tall like her father and was dressed in the chiton with the leather vest over her chest. She wore the headband that held the emblem of Artemis.

“Swift winds will follow us.” The followers of Iphigenia roared around her. “We will be swift to overcome this blemish in our people.”

Almost all that was gathered there were the younger generations who had taken the stand that gender equality needed to call on.

“No more women. Call us ladies.” The female followers roared towards the other gender. The followers were in the thousands and had gathered at the city square and streets. The authorities had sent the enforcers; the non-military warriors to quell the unrest. The protests started in Archaeon and had spread to the other worlds.

“The Enforcers are attacking!’ The calls were heard. “Retreat on the streets!”

“Come, Iphigenia. We need to go.” The aides of Iphigenia had planned an escape route. “The hovercraft will meet us at the roof.”

Iphigenia had taken off with her aides and was soon mounting the steps on the nearby structure to reach the rooftop. There the aide accompanying her called to direct the hovercraft. The group of aides was six in the number had positioned themselves to guard Iphigenia.

“Leave on the craft. We will be fine.” The aide told Iphigenia but the young lady was adamant about staying.

“I can’t leave all of you here while I escaped.” Iphigenia held onto her aide’s arm. “We stay together to battle. We call for equality for all.”

“No, Iphigenia. This is not your call. You have to be saved to rally the others. We will be fine.” The aide had told Iphigenia. “You are the beacon of our cause.”

It was then the enforcers arrived at the rooftop. There were a dozen of them armed with batons and shields with their frame covered in the leather vest.

“Get those scoundrels!’ The call went out among the enforcers who rushed at the younger group. The batons and shields were used indiscriminately and when all seemed to be lost, another hovercraft appeared overhead. A figure was seen jumping off at the height to land on the rooftop.

“Who…:” The enforcer was held back at the arm by the newly arrived figure.

“Achilles is the name.” Achilles tossed the enforcer to the side. The Archaeon warrior was without any weapons for he was the weapon. His body frame was covered with the coating of armor that he got when he was subjected to the Styx Method. The golden coating on Achilles rendered him formidable and tripled his strength. He grabbed the flooring on the rooftop and tore off a chunk of it to form a shield before he rushed at the enforcers.

“Hold your wrath or faced mine.” Achilles roared out.

“It’s Achilles…: The standing enforcers retreated while Achilles stood in between them and the younger generation.

“Retreat now!” Achilles told them, enforcers. “They are under my protection now.”

Iphigenia was saved then but soon she was to face her father and the other leaders at the Hall.

“Iphigenia, your protest shamed us the Archaeon.” Agamemnon started the reprimanding. “I cannot accept that behavior.”

“First, I want to thank Achilles for helping me.” Iphigenia looked to the Archaeon warrior who had retracted the golden armor. “I was fine then.”

“Second, the Wind protest will go on. You are all…” Iphigenia was snapped off by King Menelaus then.

“Iphigenia, you are too young to understand our reasons.” King Menelaus drew ranks on the difference of age. “Your father knows better.”

“I am not naïve. I am the daughter of Agamemnon. He taught me the wise lessons of life and I am applying it.” Iphigenia was upset. “I had spent some time at the Artemis Tower and given …”

“A regrettable action of mine.” Agamemnon sighed. “Artemis had …”

“Redefined the contour of her thinking perhaps.” The voice belonged to the newly arrived Artemis who came to see her student from Archaeon. “Iphigenia is one of my brightest interns. She need not learn from me. All of you might want to do with her.”

“Artemis? We did not expect you. Is Zeus with you or … Ares?” King Menelaus was stunned by the Goddess's arrival.

“Am that weak to be escorted or shall I say to be seen only in their shadows?” Artemis glared at King Menelaus. The Goddess stood there in the green gown with the fan design headpiece. “I came to see the protest and was appalled by the way the enforcers …quell was it the term you used…I felt it was more like a killing.”

“Tell, King Menelaus. How many of them had been hurt by the enforcers?” Artemis looked at the King. “Perhaps you had not cared.”

“I got the count, Goddess.” Iphigenia addressed Artemis. “Three thousand maimed or wounded and five hundred…”

“Iphigenia, be silent.” Agamemnon reprimanded his daughter.

“Thank you, Iphigenia. I had the counts too but not the King.” Artemis looked at the gathered. “That is a small number but if you declare war, more of than numbers will be read to you.”

“Artemis, the war with Troy is on a matter of honor and rescue. It’s not the same with them.” King Menelaus replied. “I was told that Zeus…”

“Use not that name on me, King Menelaus, or you will face my wrath.” Artemis snapped in. “I am not here on your war with Troy. I am here on … seeing my intern. If harm her, I will take it on you.”

“Artemis, your call is …” Agamemnon, bit on his words. “Iphigenia is my daughter and I will deal with her as ..”

“Iphigenia had taken the oath to be my intern. I am here to take her with me to Artemis Tower. She will not be a part of your household for now.” Artemis told Agamemnon. “As for your war, I will be direct. I was in the Hall that day when Paris won the love of the woman. To me, he is entitled to that prize as I had received my defeat then. Battle the Trojans at your own risk but harm any more of the inhabitants even in Troy which is part of the twelve worlds, is declaring war on myself too. Heed those words.”

“Why are you …” Achilles was there and questioned the Goddess.

“I am not taking sides. I am looking at the well-being of the worlds, and eleven worlds against one warrant my attention. It’s not a war, but a massacre if I may perceive it. I believe in equality too.”

Those last words sounded from the Hall to the corridors and the streets. The women at their tasks paused then and reflected on the words by Artemis. Archaeon will never be the same as before.

“Come with me, Iphigenia. We got much to learn.” Artemis reached out to the young lady who chose to follow her.

“I am lost today. A daughter and now a Goddess who could be on the side of the Trojans. I have failed even before we attack Troy.” King Menelaus sighed.  “I cannot lead in this war.”

“If that is the call, then I will take your place with Odysseus and Achilles at my side.” Agamemnon took his brother’s place. “My first call is to eliminate the Trojan’s allies.”

“Are you mad? The fleet at the Frontier is scattered spread and evasive to our battle.” The Macedonians roared out.

“That may be true but I have the leader to secure us the lynchpin into their hideouts.” Agamemnon looked towards Achilles. “Achilles will be that leader.”

“What of the Olympians? Ares and Aphrodite support the Trojan. We have none.” An Argo's leader voiced out.

“Artemis had rescued her intern for you.” The Argos leader referred to Agamemnon’s daughter. “We may be up …”

“The Trojan may have Artemis but we shall get one other on our side.” Agamemnon cut in. “I am not without God's support.”