Chapter 18
Circe couldn’t speak. One shock after another had her stunned, but not Taurus, despite the fact he’d been struck by lightning. And was his first thought to his smoldering body?
Nope. He turned to her with concern in his gaze. “You okay?”
“Shouldn’t I be asking that of you?” While he appeared fine, his hair sticking up in a spiked crown seemed to indicate otherwise.
His lips curved. “What can I say, honey. I’m electric.”
She almost laughed but happened to notice steam rising from Demetrius’ body. “Um, Taurus. I think he’s going to blow like Andreas did.”
A quick whirl by Taurus resulted in him bellowing, “Fuck! Everyone back to Tower; the bodies are about to explode.”
Before she could even take a step, Taurus swept her into his arms and they teleported into that dark and cold place before landing in the portal room.
They didn’t arrive alone. Aries appeared, as did Leo, Zora, Capricorn, and Libra, who immediately headed for the Athens portal and stepped through. Aries watched him leave with a frown.
It did seem odd. Didn’t teams usually debrief after missions? A mission whose purpose was to save her.
She glanced up at Taurus. “I can’t believe you came for me.”
“As if I wouldn’t,” he snorted, lifting her bound hands and using a knife to separate the strands of rope.
“But it cost you the Antikythera schematics.”
“Like I told Demetrius, we made a copy.”
“He also said it wouldn’t do us any good, which I don’t understand. We have the rock and the means to rebuild the device properly. What are we missing?”
“Yeah, that didn’t make sense to me either. Could it be he gave us the wrong rock?” Taurus held it up, and Circe pointed out the dimples.
“I don’t think so. It’s the same one he showed me. Demetrius called it a scout transport. Said his masters released hundreds of them in search of a planet they could invade.”
The claim had Aries uttering a low whistle as he neared them. “Meaning there could be more.”
“I didn’t get that impression actually. He said something about this being their second attempt to bring their masters. Apparently, someone he called the enemy foiled them the first time with the Antikythera device.”
“Did he say anything more about this enemy?” Aries prodded.
“No, just that they’d stopped the last invasion attempt with the device.”
“And then the machine got destroyed and the rock went missing for centuries. Once it emerged from the ocean and infected a human, these scouts, as you called them, figured it would be safe for their so-called masters to invade since we no longer had the original plans,” Taurus surmised.
At his summary, she nodded. “Only we did end up finding the creator’s original schematic. Hence why he came after us.”
“But why bother? Demetrius said it was too late.” A reminder that had Taurus frowning.
“I think the better question is why he specifically wanted you at that meeting,” Aries interjected.
“He came to the maze looking for Taurus, too.” Even before asking about the plans, he’d been more concerned about Taurus. Circe pursed her lips as the reason why hit. “I think I know why Demetrius wanted Taurus there, and you won’t like it.”
“Lay it on me.”
Circe eyed her toes before sighing. “According to Demetrius, Taurus is carrying something they call a scout—likely the parasite you assumed had infected Andreas.”
“What? Like fuck. I don’t have a parasite,” he huffed in clear indignation.
“No need to panic. Apparently, your star-power thing prevented it from merging with you, but it was able to emit a signal whenever you stepped outside of Tower. It’s how they found me in the maze.
They took a helicopter over to Crete to ambush us, only you were gone by the time they made it to the heart of the Labyrinth. ”
“I should have never left you,” he growled.
“At least everything turned out well.” A soothing reminder by Aries. “Not only are they gone, but we know more now than we did.”
“Only because they think they’ve won.” Taurus grimaced. “This scout thing Demetrius mentioned? Where would it be attached?” Taurus began examining his hands and arms.
“I don’t think you’ll be able to see it with the naked eye,” Aries murmured. “We’ll have to get you into the med lab.”
“You have a medical facility?” Circe had never been more surprised.
“Yes, because not everyone who lives in Tower or is allied with us can use the Stardust for ailments. Let’s head over there now, and on the way, I want you to tell me everything you learned,” Aries ordered.
“It’s not a lot. As I mentioned to Taurus, Demetrius called the rock an advance scout. Apparently, the rock was one of hundreds carrying scouts, scattered in the universe by another species. These scouts were supposed to notify their masters when they landed on a suitable planet.”
“And we had the misfortune of them landing on Earth,” Aries grimly replied.
As they headed for the stairs, Taurus pulled the stone from his pocket. “I’m guessing he sabotaged this thing before handing it over. Hence why he claimed it was useless.”
“Because the rock wasn’t what we actually needed, but the scouts,” Circe remarked, keeping up with the men’s long strides.
Aries paused on the staircase. “That would actually explain why he wanted Taurus specifically at the meeting.”
“I’m not following,” Taurus stated as they began climbing the stairs.
“I’m thinking this scout thing attached to you was likely the reason. He needed to get rid of it.” Aries’ explanation didn’t help Taurus’ confusion, but Circe understood.
“The lightning.” The exclamation burst from her. “All of them, plus Taurus, were hit by a bolt. They wanted him there to kill it.”
Judging by Aries’ grim nod, she’d guessed right. “They didn’t want us to get our hands on an active scout.”
Circe concluded by saying, “Because it must be the scouts, and not the rock, that the Antikythera needs to destroy the asteroid.”
They trudged up the next flight in contemplative silence.
“Perhaps Aquarius will have a different answer once he’s had a chance to analyze the original plans.” Even Aries didn’t sound as if he believed it.
The third level, which she’d yet to see, was where the men exited the stairs. She followed them into a room that could have belonged in a hospital. She recognized an ultrasound machine. Giant MRI. Centrifuges and more.
Aries glanced at Circe. “We’ll have to step outside while the examination is conducted.”
“Why?”
“Our resident doctor is shy. Even Taurus won’t see them, as they will put him to sleep before they examine him.”
“Oh.” She didn’t immediately leave, clasping Taurus’ hand. “I’ll wait until you’re done.”
“Don’t. This could take a while. Go and eat. I’ll find you when I’m done.” She might have protested but for the kiss he planted that left her breathless. Soon as he set her down on her wobbly feet, he whispered, “We’ve got all night to catch up.”
A warm promise that helped. The food also did much to revive her spirits, even if she ate alone. Aries had gone to check on his wife and child. As for the other warriors, they’d scattered, or at least not come for a bite to eat.
As she sipped on a tea, Asterion entered, and she almost didn’t recognize him. Well, she did; after all, who else had a bull’s head on a man’s body? However, this beast had been tamed. His hair, combed and neatly trimmed, his clothes modern, and the smell? Vastly improved.
“Asterion.” She waved him over, suddenly eager for company.
“Circe. I am pleased to see you didn’t suffer from your ordeal.”
A grimace tugged her features. “I’m fine, but I’m afraid we failed.”
“How so?”
“Apparently, even with the plans for the device, we won’t be able to stop the asteroid.”
“That is unfortunate and ironic. I finally have my freedom but only weeks to enjoy it.”
She leaned forward. “We never thought to ask, but how did you end up with those plans?”
“Because someone left them for me at the mouth of the Labyrinth tucked within the pages of a book. At the time, I didn’t pay them much mind, more interested in the bag of rice and other amenities they also gifted.”
“Someone just left a load of stuff for you to find?” She couldn’t help her surprised lilt.
He nodded.
“They wanted you to guard it.”
“That would be the assumption.”
“Not helpful, but interesting. Thank you. Now on to more pleasant matters, how are you finding life in Tower?”
“Marvelous. I don’t know what I’m enjoying more, the food, the sun on my face, or the fact there are people to talk to.”
“The warriors and their partners are making you feel welcome?”
“Not just them. Tower has a whole section reserved for other refugees like me who don’t fit into the world.”
“Really? I’ve never seen anyone else.”
“Because they’re kept hidden.”
“You sound happy,” she noted.
“The happiest I’ve ever been. I have you and Taurus to thank for that.”
“I’m just glad we could help. Will you stay here?”
“I think so. I’ve been studying current events and culture. The library here is most impressive. I do believe Taurus had a point when he said I might not fit in outside of Tower. However, I am not perturbed. I have everything I need for the moment right here and then some.”
Before she could reply, Aries popped into the dining room. “Taurus is done. He’s going to meet us in my office with the results.”
Circe reached out to Asterion, putting her hand over his. “I hope we get to speak again soon.”
“So do I,” said almost wonderingly.
Quick steps brought her to Aries’ side. “Did your doctor find the scout?”
“Not sure. Tower just indicated I should go to my office.”
“I didn’t know Tower could communicate.”
“Not in the usual sense. Tower’s kind of simple when it comes to messages. It flashed an image of Taurus, you, and my office.”
“Effective.”
A compliment Tower must have liked because the stairs became an escalator, making the trip up quick and not murder on her thighs.
Entering Aries’ office, they found not just Taurus waiting, but also Aquarius.
“I take it you also have something to report,” Aries stated, heading for the folder on his desk.
“Yeah, but I’m actually here because Tower dumped me out of my chair. Guess it wants me in on this meeting.” Aquarius chuckled.
“How are you?” Circe asked, putting her hand on Taurus.
“Strong as a bull,” he boasted with a wink.
“They found the scout?”
“No idea. Damned folder of results wouldn’t open for me.” A complaint tossed in the file’s direction with a heated glare.
“Let’s see what the medical report says.
” Aries had no trouble flipping it open.
He read silently for a moment before clearing his throat.
“So, I’m gonna skip over the stuff that’s not important and get right to the point.
The first being, Taurus, you are completely fine.
The object extracted from you was unable to attach to your central nervous system and left no lasting harm. ”
“Thank fuck,” he huffed.
“As to the object, I see now why Aquarius was summoned. It would appear the scout, as it was called, is not a biological entity, but a mechanical one.”
“What?” A triple exclamation.
Aries grabbed a glass cube on his desk, which she’d thought a paperweight, and held it up. The box looked empty but for a tiny silver spot on the bottom, not even a quarter inch in size. “A nanobot, to be exact, comprised of unknown material, alien in origin and structure.”
“Shit. Mind-controlling robots,” Taurus exclaimed.
“Yes, although we don’t need to worry about it anymore, since it’s inert. It appears our theory was correct. The meeting wasn’t about the schematics but the scout you carried, which Demetrius ensured got fried by a lightning strike.”
“Which really sucks, because that’s the one thing I can’t make,” Aquarius suddenly stated.
“I take it you’ve studied the Antikythera plans.”
“Yup. I’ve got the 3D printer already spitting out the parts we’ll need, but that scout thing, which the original creator actually called the star’s eyes, is the most crucial part.”
“Crucial how?” Aries inquired, still staring at the glass box.
“I’m not sure. The last page of instructions is too faded to translate.”
“Asterion might remember what it said!” When everyone looked at her, Circe stammered, “I mean he liked to read, and given he didn’t have much, chances are he studied it enough he might recall what was on the last page.”
“I haven’t yet met the minotaur. Think he’ll help?”
She bobbed her head. “He’s actually quite nice.”
Aries held out the glass box. “Any chance we can unfry the circuits to get it working?”
“Maybe, but I’m not the guy for that job. I do computer programming, not repair.”
“Yet you’re the one rebuilding the Antikythera,” Taurus remarked.
“The printer is. Once it’s completed all the parts, I should be able to assemble them. If not, I might have to hit up some outside help.”
“Which is exactly what I’m going to do with this nanobot. Let me know when you’re done with the machine.”
“Will do, boss.”
Aquarius left, and Taurus pursed his lips. “How are you going to find someone to fix alien technology and keep them quiet?”
“It won’t be easy, but we don’t have a choice. I’ll talk to Sage. She might be able to point us in the right direction.”
“What do you want me to do in the meantime?”
“Enjoy these next few weeks and pray they’re not our last.”