CHAPTER 4 #2
“Which presents a problem, I get that, and we’ll have to work on finding its particular kryptonite since the poison water had no effect.
For the moment, though, we’re concerned about its ability to produce more nanobots.
Eradicating its minions won’t matter if it simply starts mass producing those little machines and having them take over people in key positions of power, not to mention contacting more of its kind. ”
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “You don’t need to worry about it building any bots.”
“Why not?”
“Because Earth lacks a crucial ingredient needed for them to function.”
“Says the woman who repaired one using stuff from our planet.”
“Who said all the components came from here?”
“What?” he exclaimed. “Where else would it come from?”
“Somewhere else,” her low muttered reply.
On a hunch, he said, “Mars?”
The way she stiffened told him he’d guessed right.
But she tried to cover by scoffing. “You do realize we’ve yet to create anything capable of reaching that planet and returning.”
“That we know of.”
“Meaning what?”
“Meaning that if Zodiacs, like me, can travel impossible distances using less-than-conventional methods, then maybe there is a way to get to Mars.”
“Why would you even bother? It’s a dead planet.” A flat reply that left her expressionless.
“Is it?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Usually, the warriors didn’t speak much of themselves to those not closely associated.
However, these were unusual circumstances.
Add in the fact this woman already appeared knowledgeable about them and he saw no reason to hold back.
“Our seer uttered a prophecy the other night right after Aries met the alien commander. Something to the effect that the only way to defeat the ancient enemy was to broker a deal with the Martian Queen.”
Her laughter proved unexpected, rich—and apparently cock rousing.
Embarrassing. Aquarius had long eschewed the company of women, not because he lacked interest but because he’d tired of meaningless sex.
Why bother going through the hassle of flirting and all that for a single encounter?
His hand did the trick with much less effort.
It also didn’t require him to leave Tower, make witty conversation, or lie about what he did for a living.
“What’s so funny?” he huffed.
“You. This. The Mars thing.” She snickered.
“I’m glad you find the possible end of our world amusing,” he snapped, a rebuke that sobered her.
“Oh, I am not amused that the Earth is doomed. However, I don’t see how a dead planet is supposed to help.”
“Aries got the impression these aliens had been to our solar system before. It said something about a defeat?” he stated on a querying note.
“Probably referring to the astrolábos stymying their scouts.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I think they were beaten.”
Her expression gave no clue as to her thoughts. “If beaten, then why return?”
“Perhaps they were scared to, but now Earth is proving to be too big a temptation.”
“Nothing scares the Kukakk.”
“What did you call it?”
Her lips pinched tight. “Nothing.”
“Bullshit. I heard you call them the coo-cack.” He stumbled slightly over the foreign word, a rarity for a man who could speak, read, and understand every language known to man. A gift from the Astraeus. “You know more about them than you’re saying.”
“And if I do?” she hotly challenged.
“Then you need to relate to me everything you know.”
“I don’t have to do shit,” she spat.
“Even if it will help?”
“That’s just it. It won’t. The Kukakk are practically immortal.”
“Their pawns weren’t,” he countered.
“Because the Saursu are meant to be expendable. They’re launched first to cause panic in the populace and to sow disarray. Their ease in replicating means those defending against them never truly have a chance.”
“Except we beat them, remember?”
“Their masters, the Kukakk, aren’t so easily vanquished. For one, as you mentioned, they are not of fleshly or biological origin. Kill the body it inhabits and its sentient energy will enter another.”
“What if it’s trapped and there is no one it can possess?”
“Trapped?” Her laughter didn’t have the same effect as before, given its shrill high note. “These are beings of pure power; there are no walls, no prison they can’t escape.”
“How many of them would have been on their asteroid ship?”
She shrugged. “More than one I’d imagine but not too many, given their greedy nature.”
“Assuming only one landed on Earth, what happened to the others? Are they currently zipping around space.”
“You needn’t worry about them, as those remaining chunks of asteroid are headed for the sun, where they will be destroyed.”
“You just said these Kukakk can’t be killed.”
“Even they cannot survive the incinerating strength of millions and millions of degrees of heat.”
“So there is a way to get rid of them.”
“By the sun,” she emphasized. “Exactly how are you planning to capture the one on Earth and send it there?”
“I don’t know, but I’d hope someone smart enough to build herself a super-duper plane might have a few ideas.”
“You really think you could fool it into getting aboard a spacecraft with a course set for the sun?” She didn’t laugh but her expression and tone mocked.
“Won’t know until I try,” he countered.
“Good luck then. Glad I could help. You know where the exit is.”
“I didn’t say that’s what I’d do. I’m spit-balling here. Exchanging ideas. Seeing if anything triggers an idea.”
“Can’t you do that elsewhere? I’m busy.”
“Busy being difficult,” he grumbled.
“I’m not the one who showed up uninvited.”
“I had no choice. I needed to talk to you.”
“You could have sent a message. After all, you hacked Lance’s system. You knew how to contact me.”
“As if you’d have replied.” His turn to scoff.
Her lips curved slightly. “Fair point.”
Before he could say anything, a chime went off.
“What’s that? Timer for dinner?”
“No.” She frowned as she rose from her seat and headed for the one monitor with a display. “It’s a motion detection alarm.”
“Seems odd you’d get two visitors in one day, or is it the wildlife?”
“My sensors are set to ignore the birds, and nothing else can make it to this valley. Usually.” The latter spoken with a pointed look in his direction.
“Know anyone who can rent a military-grade helicopter?” he asked, watching as the chopper landed in the valley.
“No.”
The flying bird no sooner landed than a man emerged, bundled for the elements.
“I’m going to take a guess and say this isn’t another of you star warriors.”
“Doubtful. For one, why fly when we can beam? And we don’t usually gear up so thick. Gets in the way when we need to fight. Not to mention there’s no need; we don’t feel the elements like a normal person does.”
“Did you tell anyone you were coming here?”
“The boss, but before you ask, that’s not Aries. No idea who that is. Want me to go confront them?”
“No. I need for you to leave.”
“Why?” he asked as she headed for a wall with an array of weapons. Some he recognized like the Beretta pistol and M16 rifle, but there were a few guns that appeared custom made and one incredibly cool sword that made his finger itch to touch.
“I don’t need a reason to kick you out but turns out I have one. You compromised my lair, and now it’s found me.”
“What found you?”
She cast him a dark look. “What do you think?”
He quickly glanced at the screen again with the man staring seemingly right at the camera.
“That’s the Kukakk? Hate to break it to you, if he came here by chopper, then he didn’t follow me unless he can beam.”
“They don’t beam, but if they shed their body, they can travel faster than light and inhabit new flesh at a location of their choice.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Shoot it.”
“Won’t that just set it free to take over someone else?”
“Yes, which is why you have to leave.”
“It can possess warriors?”
“I don’t know. Unlikely, given you’re protected by the Astraeus, but just in case, seeing as how you’re not a completely horrible person, I’d hate to shoot you.”
“And what about you? If I leave and you kill it, doesn’t it make you the nearest body?”
“It can’t inhabit my flesh.”
“Why?”
“I don’t have time for this,” she snapped. “Get out.”
“I’m not leaving without you.” Then, rather than bicker some more about it, he chose to act rather than ask permission. Forgiveness could come later when she realized he’d saved her. Maybe she’d even be grateful. Ha. He’d be lucky if she didn’t sock him in the face.
Knowing he’d probably end up with a broken nose or black eye didn’t stop him, though. Aquarius grabbed hold of Ishtar—dragging her against his chest, making her gasp in a way he enjoyed all too much—and called to his star god.
Take me home.