Table of Contents1
“Well that was terrifying,” Herk noted as the trio left the Torch building. Jason didn’t know that Herk could be terrified.
“Well that was terrifying,” Herk noted as the trio left the Torch building. Jason didn’t know that Herk could be terrified.2
“It doesn’t change anything,” Jason snapped. “We already knew the stakes were high. We keep doing our jobs; we find the Fleece.”
“It doesn’t change anything,” Jason snapped. “We already knew the stakes were high. We keep doing our jobs; we find the Fleece.”4
“How do you expect me to take this? I’m living a cyclical archetypal experience. Or something. I’m not even sure what that means. Or who I am.”
“How do you expect me to take this? I’m living a cyclical archetypal experience. Or something. I’m not even sure what that means. Or who I am.”8
“How about we find the Fleece and you deal with your existential crisis afterwards?” Herk told his friend.
“How about we find the Fleece and you deal with your existential crisis afterwards?” Herk told his friend.11
“You boys want to keep talking about your feelings or do you want to solve this thing?” It was Theseus, seeming to appear from nowhere. His face was bruised and his forehead was bandaged.
“You boys want to keep talking about your feelings or do you want to solve this thing?” It was Theseus, seeming to appear from nowhere. His face was bruised and his forehead was bandaged.13
“Ask Jason and Medea,” was all he said as Jason casually looked the other way and Medea turned bright red but said nothing.
“Ask Jason and Medea,” was all he said as Jason casually looked the other way and Medea turned bright red but said nothing.15
Theseus lit up a cigarette and took a drag. “I put a tracking bug on your cell phone yesterday at Mel’s.” How had Theseus even gotten a hold of his phone? “I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. And yes, it puts you at OLI right around the Talos’ time of death,” the cop replied, answering Jason’s question before he could even ask it. “But I’m not interested in that right now. I did some digging into Colchis, like you asked. Turns out they have been recruiting heavily in the area: ex-cops, ex-cons, and ex-heroes. I talked to a guy I know and he heard they have a training facility somewhere down by the docks. He didn’t know exactly where, as all of his communications had been through a third party. But here’s the kicker. Guess who said third party was?”
Theseus lit up a cigarette and took a drag. “I put a tracking bug on your cell phone yesterday at Mel’s.” How had Theseus even gotten a hold of his phone? “I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. And yes, it puts you at OLI right around the Talos’ time of death,” the cop replied, answering Jason’s question before he could even ask it. “But I’m not interested in that right now. I did some digging into Colchis, like you asked. Turns out they have been recruiting heavily in the area: ex-cops, ex-cons, and ex-heroes. I talked to a guy I know and he heard they have a training facility somewhere down by the docks. He didn’t know exactly where, as all of his communications had been through a third party. But here’s the kicker. Guess who said third party was?”19
The detective nodded. “One step ahead of you. I went through all the paperwork we seized at Mel’s warehouse. I thought I had seen the name Colchis somewhere. I turned up records for a big shipment that was supposed to come in last week.”
The detective nodded. “One step ahead of you. I went through all the paperwork we seized at Mel’s warehouse. I thought I had seen the name Colchis somewhere. I turned up records for a big shipment that was supposed to come in last week.”21
“Maybe. But here’s the thing. Mel rejected the shipment. Apparently didn’t want it.” The company had to be trouble if Mel didn’t want to do business with them. He was known to do business with just about anyone with money to spend.
“Maybe. But here’s the thing. Mel rejected the shipment. Apparently didn’t want it.” The company had to be trouble if Mel didn’t want to do business with them. He was known to do business with just about anyone with money to spend.23
Medea nodded. “It makes sense. We’ve got to find their place by the docks, before they turn it into a fortress.”
Medea nodded. “It makes sense. We’ve got to find their place by the docks, before they turn it into a fortress.”24
Perhaps the twins had found something. Jason dialed the Argo, but after several rings, it went to the answering machine. He tried dialing Atlanta next. It also went to voicemail. “That’s odd.”
Perhaps the twins had found something. Jason dialed the Argo, but after several rings, it went to the answering machine. He tried dialing Atlanta next. It also went to voicemail. “That’s odd.”26
“No one answered at the Argo. Atlanta is MIA too.” He turned to Herk. “We should go check it out.”
“No one answered at the Argo. Atlanta is MIA too.” He turned to Herk. “We should go check it out.”27
The detective took one final drag from his cigarette before flicking it into the street. “I’ll head back to the station and see what else I can find. I’ll call you when I know more.”
The detective took one final drag from his cigarette before flicking it into the street. “I’ll head back to the station and see what else I can find. I’ll call you when I know more.”29
Theseus shook his head. “Thanks, but no. I’m not ready for that. It means a lot that you offered.” He pointed his index and pinky fingers at Medea. “Watch her. She’s dangerous.”
Theseus shook his head. “Thanks, but no. I’m not ready for that. It means a lot that you offered.” He pointed his index and pinky fingers at Medea. “Watch her. She’s dangerous.”30
Laughing out loud, Jason responded, “Trust me, I know.” The hero and the ex-hero shook hands cordially and parted ways.
Laughing out loud, Jason responded, “Trust me, I know.” The hero and the ex-hero shook hands cordially and parted ways.31
In the car on way back to the Argo, Jason tried several more times to reach the twins, Atlanta, and even Orpheus, but to no avail.
In the car on way back to the Argo, Jason tried several more times to reach the twins, Atlanta, and even Orpheus, but to no avail.33
“Yes, but I’m trying to avoid self-destructive behavior that is counterproductive to the quest,” Jason told his partner.
“Yes, but I’m trying to avoid self-destructive behavior that is counterproductive to the quest,” Jason told his partner.35
“I don’t know, Herk. Maybe because it is the mature thing to do. And because I can get more info from Theseus with honey than with vinegar.”
“I don’t know, Herk. Maybe because it is the mature thing to do. And because I can get more info from Theseus with honey than with vinegar.”37
“Well good for you, we’re going to a place that serves food.” They pulled up to the Argo and immediately realized that something was wrong. Nearly a dozen motorcycles were parked in the lot, including one very recognizable leopard-print bike.
“Well good for you, we’re going to a place that serves food.” They pulled up to the Argo and immediately realized that something was wrong. Nearly a dozen motorcycles were parked in the lot, including one very recognizable leopard-print bike.38
“Amazons.” When Jason had asked Atlanta to talk to the gang, he hadn’t meant invite them over for drinks. “Alright, let’s expect the worst. Atlanta tried to talk to Lyta, it went badly, and they’re here to settle some sort of score. Herk, call Percy and B-phone and see how fast they can get over to back us up. Medea, stay in the car.”
“Amazons.” When Jason had asked Atlanta to talk to the gang, he hadn’t meant invite them over for drinks. “Alright, let’s expect the worst. Atlanta tried to talk to Lyta, it went badly, and they’re here to settle some sort of score. Herk, call Percy and B-phone and see how fast they can get over to back us up. Medea, stay in the car.”39
“Absolutely not,” she stated defiantly. “I think I’ve proven already that I’m just as dangerous if not more dangerous than you are in situations like these. And you’re going to need all the help you can get in there.”
“Absolutely not,” she stated defiantly. “I think I’ve proven already that I’m just as dangerous if not more dangerous than you are in situations like these. And you’re going to need all the help you can get in there.”40
Jason begrudgingly agreed. He got out of the car and went around to the trunk to see what sort of supplies they could use. When he popped the trunk he found something else altogether.
Jason begrudgingly agreed. He got out of the car and went around to the trunk to see what sort of supplies they could use. When he popped the trunk he found something else altogether.41
It was Ace, bound and gagged with duct tape and curled up in the fetal position. Jason could not tell immediately if he was alive or dead. He had not been cut to pieces so that was a good sign. He poked his cousin gently and didn’t get a response, so prodded more firmly, and then shook the young man roughly. Ace’s eyes opened with a start and he tried to scream but the gag muffled most of the sound. Jason started to peel the tape off of his mouth, but paused to warn Ace.
It was Ace, bound and gagged with duct tape and curled up in the fetal position. Jason could not tell immediately if he was alive or dead. He had not been cut to pieces so that was a good sign. He poked his cousin gently and didn’t get a response, so prodded more firmly, and then shook the young man roughly. Ace’s eyes opened with a start and he tried to scream but the gag muffled most of the sound. Jason started to peel the tape off of his mouth, but paused to warn Ace.42
“If you try to scream after I pull this off, it goes right back on, ok?” Ace shook his head eagerly, so Jason continued, pulling the tape off with one quick rip.
“If you try to scream after I pull this off, it goes right back on, ok?” Ace shook his head eagerly, so Jason continued, pulling the tape off with one quick rip.45
“Wait, wait!” Ace begged. “That was pain, not terror.” Jason paused as his cousin regained his composure. “It’s passed, yo. I’m ok. You can untie me now.”
“Wait, wait!” Ace begged. “That was pain, not terror.” Jason paused as his cousin regained his composure. “It’s passed, yo. I’m ok. You can untie me now.”46
“How about you tell me how my car got back to the ferry to the underworld first, and how you managed to end up in the trunk of my car second, and then we’ll see if I decide to untie you.”
“How about you tell me how my car got back to the ferry to the underworld first, and how you managed to end up in the trunk of my car second, and then we’ll see if I decide to untie you.”47
Ace struggled to sit up but kept falling back into the trunk comically. He’d been bound with multiple layers of duct tape around his ankles and knees, and his arms had been taped together behind him at the wrists and just below the shoulders. Whoever had done this had to have used a couple rolls of tape.
Ace struggled to sit up but kept falling back into the trunk comically. He’d been bound with multiple layers of duct tape around his ankles and knees, and his arms had been taped together behind him at the wrists and just below the shoulders. Whoever had done this had to have used a couple rolls of tape.48
“When those biker babes came out of the apartment with that guy and you three didn’t follow I figured something bad had happened.”
“When those biker babes came out of the apartment with that guy and you three didn’t follow I figured something bad had happened.”50
“I called Dad and asked him what to do—he told me to follow the Amazons and hopefully they’d lead me to the Fleece. He said you could take care of yourself.”
“I called Dad and asked him what to do—he told me to follow the Amazons and hopefully they’d lead me to the Fleece. He said you could take care of yourself.”51
Rage boiled up in Jason. “You called Pelias?” So he had known what Ace was up to and had not told them. What kind of game was the old tyrant playing?
Rage boiled up in Jason. “You called Pelias?” So he had known what Ace was up to and had not told them. What kind of game was the old tyrant playing?52
“Duh, yeah. Do you think I can make a decision like that on my own? Do you want to hear the rest or not?” Jason motioned for him to continue. “Anyway, I followed them all the way back to the ferry to the underworld. I was doing real good, staying four car lengths back—I saw that in a spy movie once—not rushing through traffic lights to keep up with them, all those things.”
“Duh, yeah. Do you think I can make a decision like that on my own? Do you want to hear the rest or not?” Jason motioned for him to continue. “Anyway, I followed them all the way back to the ferry to the underworld. I was doing real good, staying four car lengths back—I saw that in a spy movie once—not rushing through traffic lights to keep up with them, all those things.”54
“Well I didn’t know, but they must have been onto me and called for backup, because the next thing I know, there were still six bikes in front of me and another six behind me. I was totally surrounded.” Ace was going to make this sound truly epic, as if he’d faced down the entire Persian army with nothing but a spear and a loincloth. “So they make me get out of the car and they start asking me all these questions, like what’s my name, why am I following them, do I want their number, stuff like that. And I’m all like, ‘Yo girls, I’m not interested right now. You’re very fine but I’m in the middle of a quest and shit.’”
“Well I didn’t know, but they must have been onto me and called for backup, because the next thing I know, there were still six bikes in front of me and another six behind me. I was totally surrounded.” Ace was going to make this sound truly epic, as if he’d faced down the entire Persian army with nothing but a spear and a loincloth. “So they make me get out of the car and they start asking me all these questions, like what’s my name, why am I following them, do I want their number, stuff like that. And I’m all like, ‘Yo girls, I’m not interested right now. You’re very fine but I’m in the middle of a quest and shit.’”56
“I’m getting there, yo. So they get all up in my face and then this big-ass SUV pulls up and the ladies get all quiet and are like, ‘They’re here, they’re here,’ but they don’t know what to do with me and so they wrap me up like this and throw me in the trunk.”
“I’m getting there, yo. So they get all up in my face and then this big-ass SUV pulls up and the ladies get all quiet and are like, ‘They’re here, they’re here,’ but they don’t know what to do with me and so they wrap me up like this and throw me in the trunk.”57
Incredulous, Jason asked, “That’s it? They just threw you in the trunk? There was no whining or begging for your life on your part? I wouldn’t be embarrassed if I was you. Those Amazons are pretty tough women. One beat up Herk once.”
Incredulous, Jason asked, “That’s it? They just threw you in the trunk? There was no whining or begging for your life on your part? I wouldn’t be embarrassed if I was you. Those Amazons are pretty tough women. One beat up Herk once.”59
“It wasn’t like that, man. I think they were trying to protect me or something. They didn’t want the guys in the SUV to know my identity.”
“It wasn’t like that, man. I think they were trying to protect me or something. They didn’t want the guys in the SUV to know my identity.”61
“Dude, I was in the trunk. I couldn’t see shit.” Ace’s mouth curled up into a big, goofy grin. “I did hear some stuff though.”
“Dude, I was in the trunk. I couldn’t see shit.” Ace’s mouth curled up into a big, goofy grin. “I did hear some stuff though.”64
A few moments later, Ace was out of the trunk and de-duct taped. “Here’s the deal. One of the guys in the SUV—the guy in charge I think—is named Absyrtus. I know, stupid name.”
A few moments later, Ace was out of the trunk and de-duct taped. “Here’s the deal. One of the guys in the SUV—the guy in charge I think—is named Absyrtus. I know, stupid name.”68
Medea nodded. “Abi? Yeah. He’s my little brother. And my father’s second-in-command. What was he doing with the Amazons?”
Medea nodded. “Abi? Yeah. He’s my little brother. And my father’s second-in-command. What was he doing with the Amazons?”71
“Well, this Abi guy—even worse nickname by the way—it sounded like this guy was doing business with Amazons. I think they traded that Phemus guy for a shipment of something. I couldn’t hear everything, but it sounded like they delivered a first batch with more coming.”
“Well, this Abi guy—even worse nickname by the way—it sounded like this guy was doing business with Amazons. I think they traded that Phemus guy for a shipment of something. I couldn’t hear everything, but it sounded like they delivered a first batch with more coming.”72
Jason conferred with Herk. “It sounds like Colchis is selling arms to the Amazons. I bet they aren’t the only gang Colchis is selling to, either.”
Jason conferred with Herk. “It sounds like Colchis is selling arms to the Amazons. I bet they aren’t the only gang Colchis is selling to, either.”74
“And if things get out of hand in the underworld, Colchis brings in their army of mercenaries to bring order back to the city. It’s kind of brilliant.”
“And if things get out of hand in the underworld, Colchis brings in their army of mercenaries to bring order back to the city. It’s kind of brilliant.”75
Medea interrupted both of them. “All this is very, very interesting, but how do we deal with the now heavily armed Amazons that are in there right now?” As if on cue, six of the biker women emerged from the bar. “Correction: Out here right now!”
Medea interrupted both of them. “All this is very, very interesting, but how do we deal with the now heavily armed Amazons that are in there right now?” As if on cue, six of the biker women emerged from the bar. “Correction: Out here right now!”76
“Nobody move!” one of the Amazons shouted. They were wielding heavy-duty machine guns; it was certainly an upgrade from Jason’s encounter with them only twelve hours earlier. The heroes were outwommaned and outgunned.
“Nobody move!” one of the Amazons shouted. They were wielding heavy-duty machine guns; it was certainly an upgrade from Jason’s encounter with them only twelve hours earlier. The heroes were outwommaned and outgunned.77
“Here we go again,” Herk muttered. “Same chicks, different day.” Seeing no other alternatives, they raised their hands above their heads. The Amazons corralled the four and ushered them into the Argo.
“Here we go again,” Herk muttered. “Same chicks, different day.” Seeing no other alternatives, they raised their hands above their heads. The Amazons corralled the four and ushered them into the Argo.78
Inside, the scene was actually pretty calm. Argos was behind the bar, reading his copy of the morning Torch. Orpheus was reclined in a booth, still fast asleep. Atlanta and the twins were huddled around a small high top table, playing cards with two of the Amazons. Another pair of biker women was at another table, cleaning a pile of disassembled guns. Lyta was waiting for them at the door.
Inside, the scene was actually pretty calm. Argos was behind the bar, reading his copy of the morning Torch. Orpheus was reclined in a booth, still fast asleep. Atlanta and the twins were huddled around a small high top table, playing cards with two of the Amazons. Another pair of biker women was at another table, cleaning a pile of disassembled guns. Lyta was waiting for them at the door.79
“Jason, so nice to see you again. Please come in, have a seat.” She glanced at Ace. “I see you found your little friend. I’m so glad he’s alright,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Jason, so nice to see you again. Please come in, have a seat.” She glanced at Ace. “I see you found your little friend. I’m so glad he’s alright,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.82
“Do you mind telling me what you’re doing in our bar? I can’t remember the last time you and your ladies left the underworld twice in twenty-four hours. Is it for Argos’ signature pina colada? It’s really quite excellent. I think we even have a few souvenir cups around here somewhere.” Jason looked meaningfully at Lyta’s new machine gun. “Or does it have something to do with your shiny new toy?”
“Do you mind telling me what you’re doing in our bar? I can’t remember the last time you and your ladies left the underworld twice in twenty-four hours. Is it for Argos’ signature pina colada? It’s really quite excellent. I think we even have a few souvenir cups around here somewhere.” Jason looked meaningfully at Lyta’s new machine gun. “Or does it have something to do with your shiny new toy?”83
Lyta displayed it proudly. “You like? It was either that or a new handbag. I think this suits me better.”
Lyta displayed it proudly. “You like? It was either that or a new handbag. I think this suits me better.”85
“Interesting that you bring them up. One of their big wigs sent us here to wipe out your sad little league of heroes. Apparently they don’t like you any more than you like them. They offered me a whole load of weapons—I’m going to get a grenade launcher out of this deal. ”
“Interesting that you bring them up. One of their big wigs sent us here to wipe out your sad little league of heroes. Apparently they don’t like you any more than you like them. They offered me a whole load of weapons—I’m going to get a grenade launcher out of this deal. ”86
Jason took another look around. None of his friends seemed surprised or upset about Lyta’s declaration.
Jason took another look around. None of his friends seemed surprised or upset about Lyta’s declaration.87
“Well, I’m glad that you waited for me to start the party. Though I thought that the going rate for my head was a little higher than a grenade launcher.”
“Well, I’m glad that you waited for me to start the party. Though I thought that the going rate for my head was a little higher than a grenade launcher.”88
“That’s debatable. Then I got to thinking. What kind of people arrange for the kidnapping of corporate security guards, put hits out on the local heroes, and pay for it all by supplying heavy-duty firepower at way below the market price?”
“That’s debatable. Then I got to thinking. What kind of people arrange for the kidnapping of corporate security guards, put hits out on the local heroes, and pay for it all by supplying heavy-duty firepower at way below the market price?”90
“That’s what I thought too. Until I found out that they also delivered a crate of weapons to the Furies last night.” The Furies were a rival gang that ran most of the drug industry in the underworld. They were known for throwing wild parties that usually culminated in at least one fatality. “Another crate of weapons showed up at Echidna’s Lair last night.” Echidna’s was the local monster haunt. “Half of those freaks don’t even have hands.”
“That’s what I thought too. Until I found out that they also delivered a crate of weapons to the Furies last night.” The Furies were a rival gang that ran most of the drug industry in the underworld. They were known for throwing wild parties that usually culminated in at least one fatality. “Another crate of weapons showed up at Echidna’s Lair last night.” Echidna’s was the local monster haunt. “Half of those freaks don’t even have hands.”91
It was just as Jason had suspected, but on an accelerated timetable. “You know what they’re trying to do, Lyta.”
It was just as Jason had suspected, but on an accelerated timetable. “You know what they’re trying to do, Lyta.”92
“Of course I do – I didn’t get this far in life on looks alone. I needed to know why. And right as I was trying to figure that out, Atlanta here calls me. So I decided it was time for a trip back across the river. Maybe get some answers out of the wonder twins here while I’m at it. They told me what happened to Mel. I’m sorry about that. As men go, he was one of the ok ones.”
“Of course I do – I didn’t get this far in life on looks alone. I needed to know why. And right as I was trying to figure that out, Atlanta here calls me. So I decided it was time for a trip back across the river. Maybe get some answers out of the wonder twins here while I’m at it. They told me what happened to Mel. I’m sorry about that. As men go, he was one of the ok ones.”93
“Let’s not get sentimental, Lyta,” Atlanta chimed in. She’d apparently gotten over her immediate emotional reaction to her ex-husband’s murder.
“Let’s not get sentimental, Lyta,” Atlanta chimed in. She’d apparently gotten over her immediate emotional reaction to her ex-husband’s murder.94
“You thought he was good enough that you chose him over the club at one point, Cheetah,” Lyta reminded her. No one had used Atlanta’s Amazon name in years. She turned back to Jason. “It’s in no one’s best interest if Colchis helps turn the underworld into a mass grave. If you know the location of Colchis’ base of operations in New Olympus, we want to help you take them out.”
“You thought he was good enough that you chose him over the club at one point, Cheetah,” Lyta reminded her. No one had used Atlanta’s Amazon name in years. She turned back to Jason. “It’s in no one’s best interest if Colchis helps turn the underworld into a mass grave. If you know the location of Colchis’ base of operations in New Olympus, we want to help you take them out.”97
Jason considered the offer. Their ranks were depleted, so having any backup would be immensely useful. But could Lyta and her gang be trusted? “What’s the catch?” he asked.
Jason considered the offer. Their ranks were depleted, so having any backup would be immensely useful. But could Lyta and her gang be trusted? “What’s the catch?” he asked.98
“If there’s a stockpile of weapons at this base, I want a rocket launcher.” The Amazon queen smiled broadly, baring her teeth to the hero. “And any other weapons we want. The rest get destroyed.”
“If there’s a stockpile of weapons at this base, I want a rocket launcher.” The Amazon queen smiled broadly, baring her teeth to the hero. “And any other weapons we want. The rest get destroyed.”99
Jason was loath to get involved in underworld politics, and this would certainly shift the balance of power amongst the New Olympus criminal element, but he didn’t have much of a choice. “Deal. Do you want to shake on it, or are you having the urge to kiss me again?” Medea’s nails dug deep into Jason’s shoulder as she put her arm around him.
Jason was loath to get involved in underworld politics, and this would certainly shift the balance of power amongst the New Olympus criminal element, but he didn’t have much of a choice. “Deal. Do you want to shake on it, or are you having the urge to kiss me again?” Medea’s nails dug deep into Jason’s shoulder as she put her arm around him.100
Lyta laughed and offered her hand. “Let’s stick with a handshake this time. I don’t have an ex to make jealous and if I make any move on you I’ve got a feeling that your little minx here will tear me to pieces.”
Lyta laughed and offered her hand. “Let’s stick with a handshake this time. I don’t have an ex to make jealous and if I make any move on you I’ve got a feeling that your little minx here will tear me to pieces.”101
As Jason took her hand and shook it Lyta’s facial expression changed slowly but steadily from grin to frown to anger. “Are those my panties hanging behind the bar?”
As Jason took her hand and shook it Lyta’s facial expression changed slowly but steadily from grin to frown to anger. “Are those my panties hanging behind the bar?”103
It took a little while to get Lyta calmed down, but once she’d come back to her senses (and the offending undergarments had been removed from sight), the heroes and the Amazons discussed strategy. The twins had identified a possible location on the docks where Colchis might be setting up shop. Castor had traced the leasing records back through a series of shell corporations that eventually led back to Medea’s brother Abi. Pollux had managed to find floor plan schematics of the building, but they were several years old. It was likely Colchis had modified the building’s security to protect their stock and, more importantly, the Fleece.
It took a little while to get Lyta calmed down, but once she’d come back to her senses (and the offending undergarments had been removed from sight), the heroes and the Amazons discussed strategy. The twins had identified a possible location on the docks where Colchis might be setting up shop. Castor had traced the leasing records back through a series of shell corporations that eventually led back to Medea’s brother Abi. Pollux had managed to find floor plan schematics of the building, but they were several years old. It was likely Colchis had modified the building’s security to protect their stock and, more importantly, the Fleece.104
“What sort of insight can you give us on Colchis?” Jason asked Medea after explaining her connection to the Amazons.
“What sort of insight can you give us on Colchis?” Jason asked Medea after explaining her connection to the Amazons.105
“Not a lot,” she admitted. “My family disowned me when I went into the sisterhood after I turned sixteen. I haven’t spoken to them much since. I joined the order of Hecate to protest my father’s warlike ways. When I left, my brother was only fourteen but was already being groomed as my father’s lieutenant. He’s not a bad person,” she assured them. “He just doesn’t know any better. His whole life has been has been shaped by my father. A few years ago I tried to reconnect with Abi, get him to see that there was another way, one that didn’t involve violence, but I was too late. Father has made him into the perfect little soldier.” She dabbed her eye with a napkin. Even after all these years, the subject was obviously still a sore topic for discussion.
“Not a lot,” she admitted. “My family disowned me when I went into the sisterhood after I turned sixteen. I haven’t spoken to them much since. I joined the order of Hecate to protest my father’s warlike ways. When I left, my brother was only fourteen but was already being groomed as my father’s lieutenant. He’s not a bad person,” she assured them. “He just doesn’t know any better. His whole life has been has been shaped by my father. A few years ago I tried to reconnect with Abi, get him to see that there was another way, one that didn’t involve violence, but I was too late. Father has made him into the perfect little soldier.” She dabbed her eye with a napkin. Even after all these years, the subject was obviously still a sore topic for discussion.107
“My father is another story,” Medea told the group. “He is a bad man. Growing up I saw what he did to my hometown. It was a military state, with armed men on every corner, and every citizen working in Father’s war factories. He will do the same to New Olympus, and we can’t allow that. This city is special.” Prometheus’ words echoed in Jason’s mind as she spoke.
“My father is another story,” Medea told the group. “He is a bad man. Growing up I saw what he did to my hometown. It was a military state, with armed men on every corner, and every citizen working in Father’s war factories. He will do the same to New Olympus, and we can’t allow that. This city is special.” Prometheus’ words echoed in Jason’s mind as she spoke.108
“If the weapons Abi gave you are any indication, this place is going to be heavily armed. Even with the Amazons help, a frontal assault is probably not going to be successful.”
“If the weapons Abi gave you are any indication, this place is going to be heavily armed. Even with the Amazons help, a frontal assault is probably not going to be successful.”109
Herk squinted hard at the schematic. “I wish Odysseus was here. He’s always so good about finding ways into places.” True to form, the wandering hero was currently on one of his long cruises he took every year when the weather started to turn. He wouldn’t be back for weeks, and that was assuming the cruise ship didn’t get lost a few times, which Odysseus’ ships were apt to do.
Herk squinted hard at the schematic. “I wish Odysseus was here. He’s always so good about finding ways into places.” True to form, the wandering hero was currently on one of his long cruises he took every year when the weather started to turn. He wouldn’t be back for weeks, and that was assuming the cruise ship didn’t get lost a few times, which Odysseus’ ships were apt to do.110
Atlanta scoffed. “That man isn’t that smart. Here’s what his plan would look like: ‘Let’s build a gigantic, conspicuous animal out of spare parts, hide inside, and hope it tricks Colchis.’ Shit like that only works once.” She paused. “Alright, twice. But that was because the Trojan Chimpanzee was a work of art.”
Atlanta scoffed. “That man isn’t that smart. Here’s what his plan would look like: ‘Let’s build a gigantic, conspicuous animal out of spare parts, hide inside, and hope it tricks Colchis.’ Shit like that only works once.” She paused. “Alright, twice. But that was because the Trojan Chimpanzee was a work of art.”111
“What’s this right here?” Jason asked, pointing at a spot near one of the buildings in question.
“What’s this right here?” Jason asked, pointing at a spot near one of the buildings in question.115
“These are the docks, right? There’s got to be some sort of secret passage that smugglers use to get restricted goods into town.”
“These are the docks, right? There’s got to be some sort of secret passage that smugglers use to get restricted goods into town.”117
“You won’t have to.” Jason pointed to another spot on the perimeter of the building. “I want you and your Amazons to set up in position here. It’s easily defensible and you’ve got a straight shot at the front door.”
“You won’t have to.” Jason pointed to another spot on the perimeter of the building. “I want you and your Amazons to set up in position here. It’s easily defensible and you’ve got a straight shot at the front door.”119
“We can’t. But with their new firepower, the Amazons can create a pretty spectacular distraction. During the firefight Herk, Atlanta, and I slip in through what we hope is the back door. We grab what we’re looking for—and Lyta’s grenade launcher—and wire the rest of the building to go boom.”
“We can’t. But with their new firepower, the Amazons can create a pretty spectacular distraction. During the firefight Herk, Atlanta, and I slip in through what we hope is the back door. We grab what we’re looking for—and Lyta’s grenade launcher—and wire the rest of the building to go boom.”121
“Stolen OLI property. A couple pretty big ticket items.” And Jason left it at that. “Argos, we’re going to need your van to do the transport. You good to drive?” The bartender grunted. Jason took that as a yes. He turned to the twins. “What are the chances you have any C4 lying around?”
“Stolen OLI property. A couple pretty big ticket items.” And Jason left it at that. “Argos, we’re going to need your van to do the transport. You good to drive?” The bartender grunted. Jason took that as a yes. He turned to the twins. “What are the chances you have any C4 lying around?”122
The twins were tinkerers and tinkered with, among other things, explosives. “We have a little,” they admitted.
The twins were tinkerers and tinkered with, among other things, explosives. “We have a little,” they admitted.123
“That’s fine. We won’t need a lot. If that warehouse is as much of a powder keg as I suspect it is, we only need something to get the fire started.”
“That’s fine. We won’t need a lot. If that warehouse is as much of a powder keg as I suspect it is, we only need something to get the fire started.”125
“Me too!” Ace declared boldly. It was the first time he had spoken since he’d seen the Amazons again.
“Me too!” Ace declared boldly. It was the first time he had spoken since he’d seen the Amazons again.126
“Ace, the last thing I asked you to do was stay in the car and you screwed that up. I know Pelias wants you to tag along and report back, but this is way too dangerous for you. You need to stay here with Orpheus and the twins.”
“Ace, the last thing I asked you to do was stay in the car and you screwed that up. I know Pelias wants you to tag along and report back, but this is way too dangerous for you. You need to stay here with Orpheus and the twins.”128
“You too. I know you don’t like it, but this is going to be extremely dangerous. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you—especially if it was caused by your own family.”
“You too. I know you don’t like it, but this is going to be extremely dangerous. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you—especially if it was caused by your own family.”129
Medea’s face went cold and stiff. “You are a self-centered, misogynistic ass.” She stood up, straightened her skirt, and promptly stormed out of the bar.
Medea’s face went cold and stiff. “You are a self-centered, misogynistic ass.” She stood up, straightened her skirt, and promptly stormed out of the bar.132
Jason jumped to his feet and followed her outside, but he was too late. She was gone – and she had taken his car.
Jason jumped to his feet and followed her outside, but he was too late. She was gone – and she had taken his car.
