Chapter 3…Marching to a different beat
He had been walking a steady pace for three hours along with the detachment of soldiers. The higher-ranking ones riding horses, the others riding in back of carts carrying supplies. Gary found it fortunate they did as a steady pace for them was barely a stumble to him. Even so he wasn’t walking no more than 2 kilometers an hour. Gary’s stomach grumbled. “Was that your stomach?” Meena asked from his pouch. “Yes. I’m not taking in enough calories. At this rate my bioimplants will glitch in a few days” he replied. “You mentioned those before. What are these bioimplants?” she asked. “In simple terms very small machines that make me a better soldier and pilot. Machines that boost muscle strength to make me stronger. Heart and lung implants for better endurance. Machines in my eyes for better vision. I even have them in my brain. One of them lets me understand your language” he said. “Sounds very useful” she said. “They have drawbacks. They run off my metabolism so the amount of food I eat is more than normal. Usually, a man like me needs between 2,700 to 3,000 calories a day. I need around 6,000. And my language unit can translate spoken language but not written. Even music can cause it to glitch” he said. “Music? You have music?” she asked. “Yeah we do. Why don’t we take a break for a while, and I can play some. Sounds good captain?” Gary asked. “Agreed. There’s a branching of the Helena river up ahead” she said. A few minutes later, all the soldiers, including Gary and Meena were resting their feet. Food and water were dispensed. Gary waved off any portion for himself using his own rations he gathered. “So, about this music” Meena said. “Humans created all kinds of music. For example, here’s one called Moonlight Sonata” he said playing it from his multi tool. The soldiers gathered around him and listened. A few closed their eyes entranced by it. “It is…breathtaking” Meena said. “It was written by a deaf man 700 years ago” he said. "The man was deaf?! Then how did he hear his own notes?!” the captain asked. “I’ll show you” Gary said picking her up. He had her place her hand on his throat. Gary hummed a note, then another of a different tone, and another. “Did you feel the difference?” he asked. “Ye…yes I did” she stammered shyly. “So did he, he placed his head on his musical instrument and felt each note” he said.
“Is there more?” someone asked. “Oh, so much more. Baroque, opera, jazz, Alpha Centauri Blues, but probably my favorites are 20th and early 21st century pieces. Guys at the academy used to make fun of my taste in music” he said. “Can we listen to one of your favorites?” Meena asked. Gary nodded and thumbed through his personal playlist. “Ah, here’s one that is pretty appropriate” he said. The song “Adventure of a Lifetime” by Coldplay began playing. The beat began playing and Gary clapped to the clap in the rhythm. The soldiers began to mimic him.
“Turn your magic on, to me she’d say, everything you wants a dream away. Under the pressure, under this weight, we are diamonds. Now I feel my heart beating, I feel my heartbeat beneath my skin. I feel my heart beating…oh…you make feel…like I’m alive again! clap clap clap. Clap clap clap Alive again. Oh, you make me feel…like I’m alive again!”
By this time, each woman before him was clapping a jumping to the beat. One woman stood up and full on danced as her friends giggled and laughed. When the song was over, they breathed and smiled. The mood was a far cry different from earlier. It was lighter. “We should get going if we are to reach Corinthia by nightfall” the captain said. Gary agreed and soon they were back on the road. He kept the music going and not one song disappointed them. The biggest surprise was when Gary himself began to sing. They were astonished at how good he was. However, when he stopped Gary looked upset. “Are you alright?” Meena asked worried. “That was Dani’s favorite song. She used to sing to me on long patrols. Our ships had two means of communication. Broadcast and emergency physical contact. She’d flip her ship upside down and land on my roof so she could sing without us being overheard” he said. “What was the name of it again?” Meena asked. “One Last Kiss” by Hikari Utada. Neither of us knew that would actually come true one day" he muttered. He wiped his eyes. The soldiers watching him looked at one another stunned. “What?” he asked them. “You’re crying. You can cry?” one asked. “Of course I can. I’m no god. I cry, bleed, thirst, eat, and shit like any of you. Whatever you’ve been taught that my kind are gods was a total lie” he said sternly. “Gary” Meena said.
“What? It’s the truth” he said. “A very dangerous truth” the captain said riding her horse before him. “Our religion, our very culture is built around the concept that giant men and women are our gods and that they commanded us how to live. Your words, your very presence puts a thousand years of dogma in jeopardy” Meena said. “She speaks truth. It would destroy the religious sect, call into question the validity of the Queen herself” the captain said. “The Queen…I’ve been wondering. How do you have a queen when you don’t have children? An election? Lottery?” he asked. “The oracle. She decides who the Queen is. When one dies the one designated Queen years prior is taken from a sanctuary near the Valley of the Gods to replace her” Meena said. “And she is obeyed without question for she has the Mandate of the Gods” Andrea said sitting on the back of a cart. “This sounds shittier by the second. She’s going to fight me won’t she?” Gary asked. They all looked at one another. “Yes. And as the first recon regiment no doubt she will order us to fight you with the others” the captain said. “You know how that will turn out. You KNOW this” Gary said. She said nothing. Around midday, they stopped once again at a stream crossing the road to rest and eat. Gary stared at the captain. “You would throw your life away on a hopeless battle?” Gary asked. “I am a soldier. It is my duty to serve and obey. I do not question my orders” she said. Gary scoffed. “You disagree? Are you not a soldier as well?” she asked. “Indeed I am but I don’t follow suicidal orders. Nor do I fight hopeless battles to soothe the ego and pride of my commander” he replied. “And that is where we differ” she said.
Gary grabbed her from the ground. Not saying a word, he began pulling her clothing off starting with her sandals. “What…what are you doing?!” she yelled. “Taking off your clothing before I eat you. I’m not about to digest your armor, tunic, or sandals” Gary replied. “Eat me?! Have I offended you?!” she quickly asked. “I wouldn’t say offended. Annoyed probably but that has nothing to do with my decision to eat you alive” he said pulling off her leather breastplate. “Don’t look at me that way. You’re ready to throw your life away. I need to eat. Just cutting out the middleman” he said. “Please don’t” she begged softly crying. “Why should I? Give me a good reason not to and I’m not fucking around” he said. “I don’t want to die” she said. Gary had her nude by now and was lowering her into his mouth. “Gary…please” Andrea said begging. Everyone looked up at him with pleading eyes. “They value your life more than you do. You command their respect, not some Queen” he said putting the woman down. “So, I just disobey orders? What soldier does that?” she asked putting her clothing back on. “The ones with a heart. A soldier that blindly follows orders is no more a person than the horse that pulls that cart” Gary said. The captain was deeply ashamed by his words. After getting dressed she sat down staring at her sword. Gary scooted close to her. He began to sing.
“The minstrel boy to the war has gone, in the ranks of death you will find him. His father’s sword he has girded on, and his wild harp slung behind him. The land of song said they warrior bard, tho all the world betray thee…one sword at least thy ranks shall guard, one faithful harp shall praise thee…”
The captain looked up at him. “It’s a song written over 600 years ago by a man mourning the deaths of friends that fought in a war. It was a quick and bloody war where many followed orders without question and killed people and got killed in return. All it accomplished was creating people to grieve for them. A soldier fights with his heart, not his weapons” he said softly petting her hair. “How old were you when you first killed someone?” she asked. “18. Barely a month out of the academy. I was with my wingman doing a patrol at the far edge of Leyton 2. Suddenly sensors registered an incoming warp signature and then an enemy ship appeared. Small, barely 500 ft long. Computer couldn’t identify the class, so we closed in. There was a plasma fire on the starboard side. It saw us, changed course, and ran. We could easily outrun it, but something wasn’t right. It wasn’t firing on us. My wingman yells at me to give the order to fire on it. I told him to hold fire as it just didn’t feel right. Well, my wingman called local command and they ordered me to fire. So, I did. Just a few shots from my pulse cannons and it exploded. Me and my wingman knew enough that ships packed with weapons explode a LOT more violently. This one just…poofed. Command downloaded our sensor data and told us to keep our mouths shut. I’m a firm believer that ship was a transport ship carrying possible noncombatants. If that’s true then I killed defenseless people because of orders. They drill into us that our enemy are soulless killers and I’ve come to believe that. I fight to win at any cost but there are times I think about that day and wonder” he said quietly. “Wonder what?” she asked. “That I lost my heart that day” he replied.
There was a moment of silence. “I decided not to tell them I’m not a God. My presence alone will stir enough shit without dropping that bombshell” Gary said. He stood up. “We’re burning daylight and I want to get to this town before we lose the sun” he said. Soon, they were on the road once more. Gary and everyone else were very silent the rest of the march. It was just an hour before sunset when they arrived in Corinthia. Gary was visibly shocked at how intricate the town was. It sat off the river, apparently their civilization relied heavily on it, and was spread in a 300 ft. diameter circle. The streets laid out in a wagon wheel pattern. A larger than average mansion sat in the center on a hill raised 5ft. from the streets below. Probably the mayor or some equivalent resided there. The houses and buildings were in perfect scale for them as if someone shrunk an Ancient Greek city. Oddly though the four main streets running in the cardinal directions were three times the width of the others. If he was careful, Gary could use them to get around. He saw panic at the city entrance as they spotted a giant among the troops. A sparse garrison was called to meet them as they approached. “Ma’am?!” a soldier said standing before the captain “Have you no shame? Humble yourself before a god!” the captain yelled pointing to Gary. Her eyes went wide, and she bowed. The others with her followed suit.
“The reports of a giant rang true. Turns out he is one of the gods and has returned. He hungers so make haste with food and libations for him!” the captain ordered. The soldier saluted and marched back into the city quickly. “Nice job” Gary muttered. The captain smiled. She led him into the city where the people gasped and ran into their homes. The captain explained that the only place in the town that could hold him was the arena to the east. Gary nodded and said he would be there for the time being. She checked her soldiers into the base before sending message to the Prefect, the royal overseer of Corinthia. Dusk was upon them as crowds began to gather near the arena to see this god for themselves. An hour had passed before the Captain had returned with cartloads of food and drink. “Forgive me but this is all we could get from the market” she said. “Better than what I was expecting” he said quietly as he began plucking butchered chickens, goats, and whatever meat there was. Gary ended up devouring 1000 people’s worth of food in under a minute. Next was ripened fruit like tic tacs. Vegetables swallowed whole. Using his fingernail, he popped open barrels of what they considered wine and drank them like shots. The people were astonished he ate and drank so much that quickly. For Gary it was the first full meal he had in days. Gary let out a belch that could be heard throughout the city. The captain was giggling until she was passed by a woman wearing a white toga and gold necklace. “Is this the god?” she asked. “Indeed priestess” the captain replied.
She approached him. “Gary. She’s the city priestess” Meena whispered. “Hi” he said. “What proof is that he’s a god?” she asked. “Proof? Can you not see that he is a giant? I have seen firsthand his penis and the sperm it can provide” the captain said. “That is circumstantial at best. There are plenty of giant beasts in the Agoge lands with a penis and that makes sperm. They are not gods” she said. “How many can talk?” Gary asked. “Parrots can talk” she said sharply. “Is she always a bitch?” Gary asked the captain. She had to stifle a laugh. “I can show you power if you want. Power you and your beasts don’t have” Gary said. “Do it” she commanded. Gary looked around and spotted a boat about 100 ft. away tied to a mooring. His enhanced vision could see nobody near it. He pulled out his laser pistol, dialed it up to four, aimed, and fired. A red beam of light shot across the southern part of the city striking the flimsy tiny boat. It was turned to ash within a millisecond. The laser beam superheated the water around it causing a violent steam explosion blowing the dock to smithereens. “I saw him use it on my commander. All that was left of her was ash and bone” the captain whispered into the priestess ear. The woman trembled so much she fell to her knees. “What…what is your name my god?” she asked. “Gary” he replied. She looked confused. “Not Zeus? Not Apollyon?” she asked. “I am…a new god” Gary said on the fly. She nodded believing him. Gary bid her to sit as he had questions.
Meena sat nearby eating a piece of fruit listening to them speak. It was undeniable now that somehow Ancient Greek culture had influenced them, and Gary asked the origins of their beliefs. The priestess spoke of an ancient book detailing the lives and teachings of their gods. A book Gary’s scale. When Gary asked specifically what was in the book, she could only answer about her patron god Apollyon. A god of wisdom and foresight. Arts and crafts. The harbinger of light. What little Gary knew of Ancient Greek gods fit what he knew of the god Apollo. A mystery solved but the deepening of questions remained. She said there were other priestesses that worshippers their own gods and goddesses that maybe could answer more of his questions. Gary bid her farewell as the limit of what she could tell him was reached. Gary stood up and pulled out an emergency blanket from his backpack. “What is this shining cloth?” Meena asked. “Emergency thermal blanket. I’m going to use it as a roof tarp tonight” he replied. “Have you need of me?” the captain asked. “The ruler of this city. I’m surprised I haven’t met her” he said. “Well about that. She’s…busy” she said. “More like scared shitless, trying to figure out what to do, and asking for advice from your empress” Gary said. “As you say” the captain muttered. “Just remember what I said about following orders” Gary said dismissing her. As evening turned into night, the amount of people watching him lessened. Those that remained did so for their own reasons.
The younger ones, teenagers, were youthful curiosity or simply infatuation. The older ones apparently wanted blessings. A woman approached asking for a bountiful grape harvest. Gary made up some bullshit and simply said…“it is done”. Others came forward asking boons for wealth, good health, good business and so forth. Gary told them to leave him alone after it became too much of an annoyance. “Good job for someone who isn’t a god” Meena chuckled. “You have no idea how annoying that was. A third just wanted to see my penis” he growled. “Looks like the guard is closing off access here so you can relax now” she said. “Good” he grumbled. Meena ended up climbing onto his chest. “What are you doing?” he asked. “Wanting you pay attention to me. I do not like sharing your attention with others. It irritates me” she said. “Meena I’m a little tired” Gary said. She crawled to his face and kissed his giant lips. “I enjoy your touch. Play with me as you want. Coat me in your seed, drink my milk, or better yet…” she said opening her legs. “You’re drunk” he said. “Indeed I am but I still want you” she said. Gary scooted her closer and sucked her breasts into her mouth. He milked her until she was dry and then let go. “Satisfied?” he asked. She quickly shook her head. “Meena I really am tired. Tomorrow okay?” he asked. Meena nodded sighing. Gary suddenly kissed her with actual feeling. Meena was quite surprised by that. “I may be rough around the edges, but I do care about you” he whispered. “Goodnight Gary” she said.
“Goodnight Meena” he muttered.
