Table of Contents1
It only took a few hours for the heroes to pull together the supplies they needed. In addition to bar and grill, the Argo also functioned as armory and command center. Jason called Theseus to warn him in advance.
It only took a few hours for the heroes to pull together the supplies they needed. In addition to bar and grill, the Argo also functioned as armory and command center. Jason called Theseus to warn him in advance.3
“I don’t think the Amazons will take kindly to teaming up with the New Olympus PD. Working with us heroes is enough of a stretch for them. And someone is going to need to clean this mess up if it goes horribly wrong. Just keep the chopper ready.”
“I don’t think the Amazons will take kindly to teaming up with the New Olympus PD. Working with us heroes is enough of a stretch for them. And someone is going to need to clean this mess up if it goes horribly wrong. Just keep the chopper ready.”17
So there was a glimmer of hope he would see her again. In the meantime, Jason had to focus entirely on the mission at hand. Argos pulled up with his nondescript white van. Lyta and one of her Amazons joined them.
So there was a glimmer of hope he would see her again. In the meantime, Jason had to focus entirely on the mission at hand. Argos pulled up with his nondescript white van. Lyta and one of her Amazons joined them.18
“Are you sure you want to do this in broad daylight?” Lyta asked one last time. It was the middle of the afternoon.
“Are you sure you want to do this in broad daylight?” Lyta asked one last time. It was the middle of the afternoon.20
The Amazon queen arched an eyebrow. “Since when did you have any sort of good relationship with the NOPD?” she asked. “Maybe tying you and Theseus up and leaving you there wasn’t such a bad idea after all.”
The Amazon queen arched an eyebrow. “Since when did you have any sort of good relationship with the NOPD?” she asked. “Maybe tying you and Theseus up and leaving you there wasn’t such a bad idea after all.”21
“Gloat after this all works out,” Jason told her. “We square on the plan?” Lyta gave the hero a thumbs up. “Well, then I guess it’s now or never. See you on the other side.”
“Gloat after this all works out,” Jason told her. “We square on the plan?” Lyta gave the hero a thumbs up. “Well, then I guess it’s now or never. See you on the other side.”22
He gently laid the bag of explosives in the back of the van and closed the doors. Jumping into the front passenger seat, he told the grizzled old bartender, “Let’s try not to hit any bumps on the way over there, Argos.” With that, they took off.
He gently laid the bag of explosives in the back of the van and closed the doors. Jumping into the front passenger seat, he told the grizzled old bartender, “Let’s try not to hit any bumps on the way over there, Argos.” With that, they took off.23
The warehouse in question was about four blocks from Mel’s office, and also right on the Bay of Poseidon. As they drove by Mel’s, Jason saw that the entire building was still cordoned off with yellow police tape. His heart started to race. Mel, despite his flaws, had been a friend and had not deserved his fate. Neither had Autolycus for that matter, shady as the thief had been. Medea’s father and the rest of the goons at Colchis were going to realize that they had bit off a little more than they could chew by going after New Olympus.
The warehouse in question was about four blocks from Mel’s office, and also right on the Bay of Poseidon. As they drove by Mel’s, Jason saw that the entire building was still cordoned off with yellow police tape. His heart started to race. Mel, despite his flaws, had been a friend and had not deserved his fate. Neither had Autolycus for that matter, shady as the thief had been. Medea’s father and the rest of the goons at Colchis were going to realize that they had bit off a little more than they could chew by going after New Olympus.24
They stopped the van two blocks past the warehouse, along the back side. From the front, it didn’t look any different than any of the other buildings on the street. There were no signs of life outside the building.
They stopped the van two blocks past the warehouse, along the back side. From the front, it didn’t look any different than any of the other buildings on the street. There were no signs of life outside the building.25
“The sewage entrance should be about thirty feet down, built right into the side of the river,” Jason told Atlanta and Herk as they donned wetsuits and scuba gear. “We drop in right here, swim underwater to the gate, and let ourselves in.”
“The sewage entrance should be about thirty feet down, built right into the side of the river,” Jason told Atlanta and Herk as they donned wetsuits and scuba gear. “We drop in right here, swim underwater to the gate, and let ourselves in.”26
“Question,” Atlanta asked. “I get how we get in. How do we get out? And more importantly, how do we get the Fleece out? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a sheep swim.”’
“Question,” Atlanta asked. “I get how we get in. How do we get out? And more importantly, how do we get the Fleece out? I don’t know about you, but I’ve never seen a sheep swim.”’27
“Let me worry about that.” Jason had a plan for that too, but it didn’t matter if they couldn’t get to the Fleece in the first place. He called Lyta. “You ladies in position?”
“Let me worry about that.” Jason had a plan for that too, but it didn’t matter if they couldn’t get to the Fleece in the first place. He called Lyta. “You ladies in position?”30
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Wait a second. Something’s happening.” Jason motioned for Herk and Atlanta to stop. “What is it, Lyta?”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Wait a second. Something’s happening.” Jason motioned for Herk and Atlanta to stop. “What is it, Lyta?”35
“She knocked on the door. And now she’s just standing there. Wait, someone answered. Two big, burly military types packing some serious heat.” That at least confirmed that this was the right spot. “They went back inside and left her out here,” Lyta continued to report. A minute passed. “They’re back—and they brought Absyrtus with them. Jason, they’re hugging.”
“She knocked on the door. And now she’s just standing there. Wait, someone answered. Two big, burly military types packing some serious heat.” That at least confirmed that this was the right spot. “They went back inside and left her out here,” Lyta continued to report. A minute passed. “They’re back—and they brought Absyrtus with them. Jason, they’re hugging.”36
“Is it a ‘I haven’t seen you in years’ hug or a ‘hey I didn’t think you were going to be home for lunch’ hug?”
“Is it a ‘I haven’t seen you in years’ hug or a ‘hey I didn’t think you were going to be home for lunch’ hug?”37
“I don’t know. It’s hard to see from up here.” Lyta and the Amazons were set up on a nearby rooftop. “Shit. She saw us.”
“I don’t know. It’s hard to see from up here.” Lyta and the Amazons were set up on a nearby rooftop. “Shit. She saw us.”40
“Lyta, wait!” Jason yelled back, but the Amazon had already hung up. The sound of gunfire rang out a few blocks away. “We’ve got to move—now!” Jason barked to the two other heroes.
“Lyta, wait!” Jason yelled back, but the Amazon had already hung up. The sound of gunfire rang out a few blocks away. “We’ve got to move—now!” Jason barked to the two other heroes.42
“It looks like Medea is playing for the other side after all. We’ve got to move now if we want any chance of getting in there.”
“It looks like Medea is playing for the other side after all. We’ve got to move now if we want any chance of getting in there.”43
“I knew I didn’t like her,” Atlanta mused as she strapped her scuba tank on. The three heroes were in the water two minutes later. After that, it was a ten minute swim to the location. Jason celebrated a small victory as they approached their destination and he saw the large round sewage tunnel. It was about ten feet in diameter and was covered with a steel grate. Herk swam up to the grate, set his feet against the wall of the building, and yanked the iron door from its hinges. It was handy to have the world’s strongest man at his side, Jason thought.
“I knew I didn’t like her,” Atlanta mused as she strapped her scuba tank on. The three heroes were in the water two minutes later. After that, it was a ten minute swim to the location. Jason celebrated a small victory as they approached their destination and he saw the large round sewage tunnel. It was about ten feet in diameter and was covered with a steel grate. Herk swam up to the grate, set his feet against the wall of the building, and yanked the iron door from its hinges. It was handy to have the world’s strongest man at his side, Jason thought.44
The trio floated into the dimly lit tunnel. It only continued for about twenty feet before it stopped and opened above them. Atlanta signaled that she was going to go ahead and scope out the scene. She floated up the pipe and out of sight. She was gone for what seemed to be an interminable amount of time but in reality was only a few minutes. When she returned, she flashed Jason and Herk a thumbs up sign and they followed her up the pipe.
The trio floated into the dimly lit tunnel. It only continued for about twenty feet before it stopped and opened above them. Atlanta signaled that she was going to go ahead and scope out the scene. She floated up the pipe and out of sight. She was gone for what seemed to be an interminable amount of time but in reality was only a few minutes. When she returned, she flashed Jason and Herk a thumbs up sign and they followed her up the pipe.45
The pipe opened up into a large, empty room above the water line. There was no sign of any Colchis soldiers. As Jason pulled himself up out of the pool and onto the floor of the room he also saw that there was no apparent exit to the room either.
The pipe opened up into a large, empty room above the water line. There was no sign of any Colchis soldiers. As Jason pulled himself up out of the pool and onto the floor of the room he also saw that there was no apparent exit to the room either.47
Jason surveyed the room. Three of the four walls were plain cinderblock walls empty of anything but barren shelving. The fourth floor was made of solid steel. “Check the walls for switches or secret panels,” he told the other two. If this was indeed a room for storing contraband merchandise, then the entrance might not be obvious.
Jason surveyed the room. Three of the four walls were plain cinderblock walls empty of anything but barren shelving. The fourth floor was made of solid steel. “Check the walls for switches or secret panels,” he told the other two. If this was indeed a room for storing contraband merchandise, then the entrance might not be obvious.48
“Nothing here,” Atlanta told him. Herk reported the same. It had to be the steel wall. Jason traced his hand over it, trying to discern an opening. It looked solid.
“Nothing here,” Atlanta told him. Herk reported the same. It had to be the steel wall. Jason traced his hand over it, trying to discern an opening. It looked solid.50
Jason shook his head. “It would cause too much of a ruckus. And this is a pretty confined space, so we could end up blowing ourselves up too. And we only have one charge.”
Jason shook his head. “It would cause too much of a ruckus. And this is a pretty confined space, so we could end up blowing ourselves up too. And we only have one charge.”51
The strongman threw his arms up in the air. “Alright, alright, it was just a thought. If only Odysseus was here.”
The strongman threw his arms up in the air. “Alright, alright, it was just a thought. If only Odysseus was here.”54
“Or a Trojan duck,” Atlanta continued. “It could quack, quack its way past security. Ducks are devious like that.”
“Or a Trojan duck,” Atlanta continued. “It could quack, quack its way past security. Ducks are devious like that.”55
“No, a pigeon. Look.” Jason pointed. There, in one corner of the room was a pigeon, pecking at the dusty ground for scraps of food.
“No, a pigeon. Look.” Jason pointed. There, in one corner of the room was a pigeon, pecking at the dusty ground for scraps of food.57
“But how did it get it in here?” Jason wondered aloud. “Pigeons don’t swim.” The pigeon look familiar, but then, didn’t all pigeons look the same? “I know this pigeon,” he declared.
“But how did it get it in here?” Jason wondered aloud. “Pigeons don’t swim.” The pigeon look familiar, but then, didn’t all pigeons look the same? “I know this pigeon,” he declared.63
Meanwhile, Jason had crouched low to the ground and was staring eye to beady eye with the dirty street bird. The pigeon stared back for a few moments and then lost interest. The bird spun around and pecked the base of the steel wall four times. There was a groan of shifting metal as the entire wall shook and rumbled. Finally, the entire wall moved about two feet, creating a small exit to the room. The pigeon quickly trotted through and barely made it through before the opening slammed shut again with a metallic thud, catching its back few tail feathers and leaving them on Jason and company’s side of the wall.
Meanwhile, Jason had crouched low to the ground and was staring eye to beady eye with the dirty street bird. The pigeon stared back for a few moments and then lost interest. The bird spun around and pecked the base of the steel wall four times. There was a groan of shifting metal as the entire wall shook and rumbled. Finally, the entire wall moved about two feet, creating a small exit to the room. The pigeon quickly trotted through and barely made it through before the opening slammed shut again with a metallic thud, catching its back few tail feathers and leaving them on Jason and company’s side of the wall.64
“Did you just see that?” Jason asked the others. They both nodded, also bewildered. Jason cautiously took a step toward the wall and tapped on the same spot the pigeon had three times. The wall groaned again, swung open, and then a moment later, clashed shut. They had their way out, but they had to do it quickly.
“Did you just see that?” Jason asked the others. They both nodded, also bewildered. Jason cautiously took a step toward the wall and tapped on the same spot the pigeon had three times. The wall groaned again, swung open, and then a moment later, clashed shut. They had their way out, but they had to do it quickly.65
“I’ll go first,” Atlanta said. “I’m the fastest, after all.” She tapped on the wall and swiftly slipped through as the wall opened. Jason took a long look at Herk. “Do you want to go next, or should I worry that you’ll get stuck, Winnie the Pooh style?”
“I’ll go first,” Atlanta said. “I’m the fastest, after all.” She tapped on the wall and swiftly slipped through as the wall opened. Jason took a long look at Herk. “Do you want to go next, or should I worry that you’ll get stuck, Winnie the Pooh style?”67
“You do love honey,” Jason replied. “And that’s a lot of you to get through there in not a lot of time.”
“You do love honey,” Jason replied. “And that’s a lot of you to get through there in not a lot of time.”68
“I’ll be fine,” the big man said, though a look of nervous anticipation came across his face. “Maybe you should go first. Just in case.”
“I’ll be fine,” the big man said, though a look of nervous anticipation came across his face. “Maybe you should go first. Just in case.”69
Jason patted the giant on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine.” Then, tapping on the wall again, he leaped through the opening. As the door opened, he heard a shout of protest on the other side, but it was too late. Jason jumped in to the next room of the warehouse, right into a cadre of fully armed Colchis Corporation guards. Next to him, Atlanta already had her hands in the air in surrender. They were outnumbered by a margin of five to one.
Jason patted the giant on the shoulder. “You’ll be fine.” Then, tapping on the wall again, he leaped through the opening. As the door opened, he heard a shout of protest on the other side, but it was too late. Jason jumped in to the next room of the warehouse, right into a cadre of fully armed Colchis Corporation guards. Next to him, Atlanta already had her hands in the air in surrender. They were outnumbered by a margin of five to one.70
A moment later, the wall clashed open again, and with a boisterous “Geronimo!” Herk came flying through, tumbling directly into one of the guards. Chaos ensued and Jason and Atlanta took advantage of it. Each of them launched at their would-be captors—Atlanta with her feet and Jason with his fists. Herk got to his feet and pulled one of the fallen guards up with him. He hoisted the guard into the air and tossed him at two others.
A moment later, the wall clashed open again, and with a boisterous “Geronimo!” Herk came flying through, tumbling directly into one of the guards. Chaos ensued and Jason and Atlanta took advantage of it. Each of them launched at their would-be captors—Atlanta with her feet and Jason with his fists. Herk got to his feet and pulled one of the fallen guards up with him. He hoisted the guard into the air and tossed him at two others.71
“These are the trained mercenaries that we were so afraid of?” Atlanta asked as she disarmed one man of his rifle and in one fluid motion used it as a club, smacking it against the head of another. Trained or not, the heroes quickly gained the upper hand over the Colchis goons.
“These are the trained mercenaries that we were so afraid of?” Atlanta asked as she disarmed one man of his rifle and in one fluid motion used it as a club, smacking it against the head of another. Trained or not, the heroes quickly gained the upper hand over the Colchis goons.72
What the guns-for-hire may have lacked in skill, they made up for in numbers, and soon more guards arrived on the scene. The three heroes fought with all of their might, but eventually they were overpowered and were thrown face first against the wall. It took two guards apiece to hold Jason and Atlanta still; it took four men to restrain Herk.
What the guns-for-hire may have lacked in skill, they made up for in numbers, and soon more guards arrived on the scene. The three heroes fought with all of their might, but eventually they were overpowered and were thrown face first against the wall. It took two guards apiece to hold Jason and Atlanta still; it took four men to restrain Herk.73
One of the other guards called into a walkie-talkie, “We’ve got the heroes, sir, what would you like me to do with them?”
One of the other guards called into a walkie-talkie, “We’ve got the heroes, sir, what would you like me to do with them?”74
There was a static ‘khrk’ sound before the response. “Bring them to me,” the voice commanded. It was a bold, sinister voice on the other end of the walkie talkie.
There was a static ‘khrk’ sound before the response. “Bring them to me,” the voice commanded. It was a bold, sinister voice on the other end of the walkie talkie.75
The guards forced the heroes out of the room and into the main part of the warehouse. Jason gasped at the sight. The warehouse was stocked full to the rim with shipping crates, and dozens of soldiers milled about the floor unpacking and organizing the merchandise. How could Colchis have gotten so far so quickly? Jason thought. The Fleece was nowhere to be seen, but Jason hadn’t suspected that it would be displayed out in the open.
The guards forced the heroes out of the room and into the main part of the warehouse. Jason gasped at the sight. The warehouse was stocked full to the rim with shipping crates, and dozens of soldiers milled about the floor unpacking and organizing the merchandise. How could Colchis have gotten so far so quickly? Jason thought. The Fleece was nowhere to be seen, but Jason hadn’t suspected that it would be displayed out in the open.76
“Where are you taking us?” Jason asked semi-wryly as he was hustled along. “And don’t think you’re getting anything out of us. I’m not saying a word until my lawyer is present. If you’d let me reach into my pocket, I can get her number out of my wallet.”
“Where are you taking us?” Jason asked semi-wryly as he was hustled along. “And don’t think you’re getting anything out of us. I’m not saying a word until my lawyer is present. If you’d let me reach into my pocket, I can get her number out of my wallet.”79
The guards led them across the floor and up a flight of stairs onto the warehouse’s mezzanine, then into one of the offices that lined the back wall.
The guards led them across the floor and up a flight of stairs onto the warehouse’s mezzanine, then into one of the offices that lined the back wall.80
The office was sparsely furnished. It contained a plain steel desk and two matching metal chairs. An oversized map of New Olympus hung on the wall. Sitting in one of the two chairs was the man Jason had to believe was in charge. The middle aged man was tall and bulky—and all the bulk was muscle. His gray hair was cut short and his demeanor revealed him to be every bit the military man.
The office was sparsely furnished. It contained a plain steel desk and two matching metal chairs. An oversized map of New Olympus hung on the wall. Sitting in one of the two chairs was the man Jason had to believe was in charge. The middle aged man was tall and bulky—and all the bulk was muscle. His gray hair was cut short and his demeanor revealed him to be every bit the military man.81
“You must be this Jason that I keep hearing things about.” The man’s voice was a deep, low rumble.
“You must be this Jason that I keep hearing things about.” The man’s voice was a deep, low rumble.82
“And you must be this, this guy, I keep hearing about,” Jason responded. “I just realized, I have no idea what your name is, guy.”
“And you must be this, this guy, I keep hearing about,” Jason responded. “I just realized, I have no idea what your name is, guy.”83
“How embarrassing,” the man said. “Baron Nikolas Von Aetes, president and CEO of the Colchis Corporation, at your service.” Medea had never mentioned that her father was a Baron. How impressive, Jason thought sarcastically. “I hear that you’ve been looking for me.”
“How embarrassing,” the man said. “Baron Nikolas Von Aetes, president and CEO of the Colchis Corporation, at your service.” Medea had never mentioned that her father was a Baron. How impressive, Jason thought sarcastically. “I hear that you’ve been looking for me.”84
“Not so much looking for you, your baronosity, but for something you may have that doesn’t belong to you.”
“Not so much looking for you, your baronosity, but for something you may have that doesn’t belong to you.”85
Aetes made no expression. “I’m really not sure what you are talking about,” he responded carefully.
Aetes made no expression. “I’m really not sure what you are talking about,” he responded carefully.86
“Oh, you would know it if you saw it. It’s about yay big,” Jason said, gesturing broadly, “goes ‘baaaaaahhhh,’ and is made of gold.”
“Oh, you would know it if you saw it. It’s about yay big,” Jason said, gesturing broadly, “goes ‘baaaaaahhhh,’ and is made of gold.”87
The baron pretended to ponder the point. “I can’t say that rings a bell. But I’ll be sure to let you know if something like that turns up.”
The baron pretended to ponder the point. “I can’t say that rings a bell. But I’ll be sure to let you know if something like that turns up.”88
“Alright, then,” Jason said. “Well, then this has all been a big mistake. My friends and I will be on our way, and we’ll let you get back to your warmongering.”
“Alright, then,” Jason said. “Well, then this has all been a big mistake. My friends and I will be on our way, and we’ll let you get back to your warmongering.”89
Aetes made a tsk tsk sound. “There’s no need to leave so soon,” he chided. “There are so many things I’d still like to show you.”
Aetes made a tsk tsk sound. “There’s no need to leave so soon,” he chided. “There are so many things I’d still like to show you.”90
“Ooh! Will there be a recruitment video? I’ve been looking for a job where I can kill people for money. Doing it for the good of others has gotten old.”
“Ooh! Will there be a recruitment video? I’ve been looking for a job where I can kill people for money. Doing it for the good of others has gotten old.”91
His face still a stony, emotionless mask, Aetes commanded the guards, “Take Jason and his friends out to the barge. I can’t afford to have them mucking up my plans any more than they already have. And find Absyrtus. I need to speak with him immediately.”
His face still a stony, emotionless mask, Aetes commanded the guards, “Take Jason and his friends out to the barge. I can’t afford to have them mucking up my plans any more than they already have. And find Absyrtus. I need to speak with him immediately.”95
“I don’t know how you know my daughter, but I have neither seen nor spoken to her in almost ten years.”
“I don’t know how you know my daughter, but I have neither seen nor spoken to her in almost ten years.”97
Aetes shouted at one the guards. “Find Absyrtus. Now!” The guard scurried away. A few minutes passed, and an awkward silence fell over the room.
Aetes shouted at one the guards. “Find Absyrtus. Now!” The guard scurried away. A few minutes passed, and an awkward silence fell over the room.98
The guard returned, still by himself. “No one can find him, sir. Johnson thinks he saw him heading onto the barge.”
The guard returned, still by himself. “No one can find him, sir. Johnson thinks he saw him heading onto the barge.”101
Aetes regained his composure. “Very well. I’ll be accompanying the heroes to the barge myself. Apparently there are surprises waiting for all of us there.”
Aetes regained his composure. “Very well. I’ll be accompanying the heroes to the barge myself. Apparently there are surprises waiting for all of us there.”
