READ THE NOVEL- Chapters 1-31 - ERBzine

Tarzan on Mars
success of our own attack," he concluded. "We must find the
nullifier!"
There was an undercurrent of response, but no great
shout of enthusiasm. Five hundred lean, hard commandos, the
picked fighters of more than seven nations, stared back at the
magnificent figure of the Warlord, some of them in sullen silence,
others with a troubled expression of uncertainty.
Certainly, he knew it was not fear which gripped them, for
the Barsoomian fighting man would rather breathe the smoke
of battle than the perfume of his lady's ear.
Now, Talu, the yellow-skinned, black bearded Jeddak of
Okar, stepped close to the Warlord and spoke in low tones.
"Clarify your position, John Carter, as you have to me. Your
stubbornness and your reticence has lost you the support of
Zodanga and other lesser nations, not to mention the allegiance
of Tars Tarkas, himself. Speak frankly, dangerous
though the subject may be, and let them know that they go
forth to battle as men of intelligence who whould defend
Barsoom against false deception and opportunism and
anarchy."
A shadow crossed John Carter's face at mention of his old
friend and mighty battle companion, Tars Tarkas, Jeddak of
Thark. "Very well," he said to Talu. Then he looked into the
tense faces of his waiting commandos. "Men, we will face the
issue squarely. Ever since the so-called Holy Alliance began
to organize, Barsoom has been torn between two ideologies.
Yet we stand here ready to fight for neither one...”
As the assembled warriors stirred uneasily and looked at
one another quizzically, he hastened to explain. "One ideology
says that Barsoom must return to the old religion of Issus,
which will be based ona a reformed, genuine paradise in the
Valley Dor by the Lost Sea of Korus." He frowned. "The Holy
Alliance claims that the original Issus has returned, according
to prophecy—"
"And Tharos Pthan, as well!" cried a red warrior jed from
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