# XI: The Forest Men Attack explained — The Airlords of Han

> Chapter companion for The Airlords of Han by Philip Francis Nowlan.

## What happens

Anthony Rogers, still a prisoner among the Hans, observes their preparations for escape to underground cities via 'escape tunnels' and learns from San-Lan of their plan to wage war from beneath the earth. He then witnesses a distant rocket barrage from the Forest Men, which continues through the night, and receives a report from his guard the next morning.

## Themes in this chapter

### Technology and Warfare

The Hans use disintegrator rays, automatic factories, and escape tunnels, while the Americans employ explosive rockets and long-range tactics.

### Utopia and Dystopia

San-Lan's vision of self-sufficient underground cities contrasts with the natural world, presenting a dystopian future of artificial living.

### Resistance and Rebellion

The Forest Men (Americans) continue their rocket barrage against the Hans, resisting Han domination.

## Character check-ins

### Anthony Rogers

Prisoner among the Hans, observing their escape tunnels and the distant rocket barrage.

### San-Lan

Supreme ruler of the Hans, who mocks Rogers and reveals the plan for underground cities.

### The Han Officer

Captain of Rogers' guard, who provides commentary on the battle and promises to wake Rogers.

### The Hans

The Han population and military, preparing for underground relocation and defending against the Forest Men.

### The Americans

Referred to as 'Forest Men' or 'tribesmen,' launching rocket attacks against the Hans.

## Key lines

> These tunnels constitute the road to a new Han era. Your forest men have turned our cities into traps, but they have not trapped our minds and our powers over Nature.

San-Lan declares that the escape tunnels will lead to a new era for the Hans, as the forest men have made their cities dangerous but cannot overcome Han intellect and control over nature.

_San-Lan explains the purpose of the tunnels to Rogers._

> We shall make our own sunlight to order in the bowels of the earth. If necessary, we can manufacture our air synthetically; not the germ-laden air of Nature, but absolutely pure air.

San-Lan boasts that the Hans will create artificial sunlight and pure air in their underground cities, rejecting natural conditions.

_San-Lan responds to Rogers' objection about living without sunlight._

> It is a fine plan, but you will not have time to carry it through. Long before you can complete your new cities you will have been destroyed.

Rogers dismisses San-Lan's plan, claiming the Hans will be destroyed before they can finish their underground cities.

_Rogers retorts to San-Lan's plan._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_airlords_of_han_se/chapters/xi-the-forest-men-attack
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_airlords_of_han_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_airlords_of_han_se/chapters