# The Air Battle explained — The Gods of Mars

> Chapter companion for The Gods of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

John Carter learns from the captured commander Yersted that Dejah Thoris is still alive and that the Martian calendar has given him more time than he thought. He discovers Issus's plan to imprison her in the Temple of the Sun if he approaches. Carter's fleet executes a daring plan to enter Omean through the shaft, block the passage with captured ships, and prepare for an assault on Issus via the subterranean passages.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

John Carter's relentless pursuit to rescue Dejah Thoris, risking his fleet and life despite the odds.

### Deception and Manipulation

Issus uses the Temple of the Sun as a tool of psychological torment, threatening to imprison Dejah Thoris to thwart Carter.

### Freedom vs. Oppression

Carter's forces fight to liberate Dejah Thoris from the oppressive rule of Issus and the First Born.

## Character check-ins

### John Carter

Leads the fleet into Omean, captures the submarine island, and interrogates Yersted about Dejah Thoris.

### Yersted

Captured commander of the submarine; reveals Dejah Thoris's fate and the Temple of the Sun's mechanism.

### Carthoris

Reconnoiters the shaft and suggests the plan to block Omean with captured ships.

### Kantos Kan

Commands part of the fleet alongside Carthoris and John Carter in the assault.

### Tars Tarkas

Planned to lead green warriors in a land assault on Issus's garden.

### Hor Vastus

Planned to lead red men alongside Tars Tarkas in the land assault.

### Xodar

Serves as guide for Tars Tarkas and Hor Vastus in the land assault.

### Dejah Thoris

Still alive and held by Issus; threatened with imprisonment in the Temple of the Sun.

## Key lines

> Thus will Dejah Thoris die, and her fate will be sealed by the first alien foot that crosses the threshold of Issus.

Issus will kill Dejah Thoris if any outsider enters her temple.

_Yersted explains Issus's threat to execute Dejah Thoris if Carter attempts a rescue._

> I am in time! I am in time! The words surged through my brain again and again, until at last I must have voiced them audibly, for Yersted shook his head.

John Carter realizes he still has time to save Dejah Thoris due to the longer Martian year.

_Carter's epiphany about the calendar difference gives him hope._

> It will not be for long, John Carter. We have been expecting you and we are prepared.

Yersted warns Carter that the First Born are ready for his attack.

_Yersted's grim confidence hints at a trap._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters/xx-the-air-battle
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_gods_of_mars_se/chapters