32388 - The Themistocles of the Revolution

N. Lygeros
Translated from the Greek by Athena Kehagias

A fistful of men in a fishing boat cross through the night of the sea in absolute silence.
What could be heard is merely the sound of the oars hammering down the waves with one and only target: barbarism’s flagship.
However that remained hidden, lost within the masts which seemed like trees of a dark forest, because the moon was absent.

Sailors: How will we locate the flagship within the black sea?

Kanaris: God will enlighten us.

Sailors: We are alone for so many years.

Kanaris: But we are with Him now.

Sailors: And what will that change ?

Kanaris: The impossible will occur.

Sailors: Have you lost your senses?

Kanaris: Today we will die …

Sailors: It’s only in that way that we’ll be free.

Kanaris: But we’ll take with us to Hades many barbarians who encroach upon our homeland.

Sailors: Only that the night hides them.

Kanaris: It’s us that the night hides, not the shadows.

Sailors: And who will show us the target?

Kanaris: Their own fear itself.

Sailors: So they are not fearless then.

Kanaris: They don’t have the love of the homeland in their hearts.

Sailors: We are a mere wick.

Kanaris: That’s how blasts are detonated.

At that instant, the flagship responded with three cannon firings to the coastguard which detected a suspect vessel.

Sailors: They’ve spotted us!

Kanaris: No! They’ve showed us the target! And three times at that. It’s there that we will die.

Sailors: Let’s live our death through then.

Kanaris: Put all your strenght upon the oars but without them been heard.

Sailors: You demand the impossible, Kanaris!

Kanaris: That’s why we are here!

Sailors: Only you could be blasphemous in such a manner …

Kanaris:
Because I am a believer … He is with us …

Sailors: Who?

Kanaris: He who defeated death.

Sailors: Do you know where you are taking us?

Kanaris: With our death, we will go into history.

Sailors: Let your wish be done.

Kanaris: When it happens, your heart will be overwhelmed with joy.

Sailors: And you?

Kanaris: With you by my side it’s already joyous.

Sailors:
You are the spirit of light.

Kanaris: Let’s sink the light into the shadow.

Sailors: As deep as possible.

Kanaris: In order to incinerate barbarism.

Sailors: We are ready!

Kanaris: Fire!