Giants on the Earth
By Capt. S. P. Meek
The yoke of Jovian oppression
rests heavily on the dwellers of
Earth—until Damis, the Nepthalim,
comes forward to lead them in
spirited revolt.
CHAPTER I
The Jovian Tyrant
Glavour, Jovian Viceroyof the Earth, looked arrogantlyabout as he layat ease on the cushions ofthe ornate chariot which bore himthrough the streets of his capitalcity. Like all the Jovians, he wascast in a heroic mold compared tohis Earth-born subjects. Even fora Jovian, Glavour was large.He measured agood eight feetfrom the solesof his hugesplayed feet to the crown of hisenormous head, crested with stiffblack hair which even the best effortsof Tonsome, the court barber,failed to make lie in order. Hiskeen black eyes glittered as theyswept over the scene before him.Where only a few years before hadbeen only tangled tropical jungleon the narrow neck of land separatingthe two great oceans, now roserow after row of stately buildings.Suddenly Glavour'sattentionwas attracted bya girlish form ina passing chariot.
"Stop!" he cried.
out of a nightmare.
[367]Obedient to the driver's touchon a lever, the tiny radium motorof the chariot ceased to revolveand the equipage stopped its forwardmotion. Glavour turned to anequerry at his side.
"Havenner," he exclaimed, "didyou note that maiden who passedus?"
"I did, Your Excellency."
"Bring her before me."
The equerry sprang lightly tothe ground and called out in astentorian voice. At the soundevery vehicle on the street ceasedits movement until the will of theViceroy, the ruler of the Sons ofGod, should be made known. Ina few steps, his powerful Jovianmuscles carrying his huge bodyforward at a rate impossible topersons born of Earthly parentagewho had not inherited the powerneeded to overcome the enormousgravity of Jupiter, Havennerreached the equipage containingthe girl. He gave a curt order andthe girl's driver turned his vehicleand brought it alongside theViceroy's.
[368]Glavour's eyes rested on theslim lithesome figure of theEarth-girl. She was just emergingfrom the grace of girlhood intothe full dignity of young womanhoodand the soft clinging garbshe wore accentuated rather thanconcealed the curves of her body.As Glavour's gaze fell on her, shecast down her eyes and a flushcrept slowly over her pretty faceto the mass of coppery gold hairwhich crowned her head. An expressionof brutal lust came intothe Viceroy's eyes.
"Daughter of Man," he said slowly,"how are you named and whatis your family?"
"My name is Lura, Your Excellency,"she faltered, "and I am thedaughter of Turgan, the Kildareof this province."
"You please me, girl," said theViceroy. "Dismiss your chariot andjoin me in mine. There is room inmy seraglio for you."
Lura stared wit