Giants on the Earth | Page 5

have all of
the Nepthalim. Now it is war to the death between them and us. On
which side do you stand?"
Damis hesitated as the Kildare's keen gray eyes bored into his own.

"My father was Viceroy of the Earth in the days gone by," he said
slowly, "and he planned that I should take his place. His dream was a
peaceful union of the strength and science of Jupiter with the beauty
and humanity of the Earth. True to his dream, I have cleaved to his
people and striven to bring it about, but I can see now the folly of his
ambition. In stature and mental power he was a Jovian, in all else he
was a Terrestrial. Since his death I have seen you stripped bit by bit of
what he left you until now you are lower than the slaves on Jupiter,
who can appeal to Tubain against a cruel master. Even I, a Nepthalim,
the son of a Viceroy, am forced to revolt to save the maiden I love.
Henceforth, I give up my father's dream of peace and do what my heart
tells me is right. It is war to the death between the Sons of God and the
Sons of Man, and I, who am descended from a Son of God and a
Daughter of Man, cleave to my mother's people."
* * * * *
A shout of joy came from all who heard his ringing voice announce his
new allegiance. Damis had ever a reputation as a humane man and he
was guilty of none of the brutalities which made the Jovians so detested
and which were bettered by those of the Nepthalim who had the power.
It was only the influence which Damis had wielded with the Earthmen
which had prevented many an outbreak which would have been
ruthlessly crushed by the Jovian overlords. To know that the son of a
Viceroy, reputed one of the most brilliant as well as one of the
strongest of Jovian blood, was one with them, made them hope that
they might make some headway against their oppressors and wring
from them some small measure of liberty. Turgan's face was wreathed
with smiles.
"Again I offer you my hand, Damis," he said. "Before it was as a father
thanking you for the rescue of his daughter. Now it is a father
welcoming the son he has always longed for and whom he feared he
would never have. My consent to your union with Lura which was
grudgingly given only to save her from the dishonor of being dragged a
slave to Glavour's seraglio, is withdrawn, and in its place I give you a
happy father's joyous consent to the marriage."

There were tears in the old Kildare's eyes as he grasped the hand of the
young blond giant. For a moment they stood with clasped hands, two
strong men taking the measure of one another and each found the other
good. The Kildare dropped Damis' hand and turned to the crowd.
"To your homes!" he cried sharply. "The Sons of God will return with
new weapons and it is my wish that none be found to oppose them. All
within sound of my voice who are members of the inner council will
join me in the palace. Damis, come with me."
Followed by Damis and a score of Earthmen, the Kildare led the way
into a building. As they entered, Damis cast a swift glance around and
looked questioningly at Turgan.
"Lura--?" he asked hesitantly.
"Will join us in the council room," said Turgan with a smile.
CHAPTER II
Turgan's Plan
Content with the Kildare's answer, Damis followed him down a
corridor and into a large room set around with benches. The Kildare did
not pause but moved to the far end of the room and manipulated a
hidden switch. A portion of the paneled wall swung inward and through
the doorway thus opened, Turgan led the way. The corridor in which
they found themselves was dimly lighted by radium bulbs which Damis
shrewdly suspected had been stolen from the palace of the Viceroy by
Earthmen employed there. It sloped steeply downward and Damis
estimated that they were fifty feet below the level of the ground before
another door opened to Turgan's manipulation of hidden catches and
admitted them to a large room equipped with tables and chairs and well
lighted by other radium bulbs. Damis turned to the Kildare.
"For years there have been rumors among the Sons of God of the
existence of this place," he exclaimed, "yet every effort to find it has
been futile. Glavour and his council have at last decided that it is

merely a myth and that the underground council chamber does not exist.
You have kept your secret