“Obviously.” It emerged a tad tart, so she added, “Working with live specimens is new for me. I wouldn’t have thought of doing that.”
“I’m just glad Tower could provide what I asked for. Does it have any limitations?”
“Not many. Complex machines like computers and electronics that have chips seem to be the only things it can’t simply produce on demand.”
“Are you sure about that? Your lab is full of equipment.”
“Which Tower has to acquire from the outside world, and while quick, it isn’t instantaneous. Despite how it seems, all of the goods aren’t actually made out of thin air.”
“Tower steals the stuff?” He sounded aghast. No surprise a warrior wouldn’t approve of theft.
“My understanding is that Tower somehow purchases them and then they’re transported here. But don’t ask me who does the buying or where the money comes from. Or even how it’s possible to source our demands in mere seconds.”
“Maybe he sends secret shoppers back in time to get the stuff,” he joked.
“A likely scenario. After all, as I said, time runs differently here.”
“Since Blue is secured, shall we go eat?”
“Yes.” Which then led to her wondering if she should bring him to her dining room or the Zodiac one. Hers might be closer, but she could just imagine the consternation—and curiosity—if she showed up with a Zodiac Warrior. Best she dine with him on the lower level. “Will you lead the way?”
“With pleasure. Although I don’t suppose I can splash my face and use your washroom first?”
“Of course.”
It didn’t take him long to freshen up, and Tower provided a change of clothes. They headed down the stairs to the dining room, although she balked at the entrance upon seeing people.
Aquarius, whom she’d met, Aries, whom she knew of but hadn’t actually ever seen in person, and the petite woman by his side, cradling a baby, had to be his wife, Sage, the seer.
“There you are,” Sage chirped. “Right on time.”
“You expected us?” The scientist in Leila might not struggle too hard anymore with the magic of the Zodiacs or Tower, but someone who could see the future? It bothered because it raised questions about free will and choice versus predestined events.
“Even if Sage hadn’t seen it, I would have sought you out. Libra, you’ll be excited to know you’re needed for a mission,” Aries stated before taking a sip from a mug.
Grayson stiffened before exclaiming, “I thought I wasn’t ready.”
“You aren’t, but this one shouldn’t be too dangerous, I hope.” Aries grimaced. “Sage hasn’t been able to see much where these aliens are concerned.”
“I seem to have difficulty with discerning them directly, but I’m getting glimpses of the aftermath of their actions.” Sage shrugged. “Apparently, my ability is more linked to the Astraeus than we realized.”
“What do you need me to do?” Grayson asked as he and Leila sat down. Plates with food already waited for them.
“First, Aquarius, can you bring them up to speed on what you discovered?” Aries glanced at the other man, who looked up from his tablet.
“So, the boss asked me to pinpoint the landing locations of all the asteroid pieces that hit Earth. Thirteen in total, with the largest chunk hitting Lake Ontario.”
“Which borders Toronto, the place that’s had the largest number of aliens attacking,” Aries added.
“How many of the meteorites were recovered?” Leila asked.
“None.” A surprising answer from Aquarius.
“Hold on a second. What do you mean none?” Grayson paused eating to ask.
“Blame a lack of interest.” Aquarius shrugged. “Our planet gets smacked by thousands of meteorites a year, way more than people realize. What’s one more boring space rock? No one had a clue it was an alien vessel. Although an attempt was made to retrieve the one that landed in Toronto. However, the search got called off when they lost a diver.”
“I wonder if the diver found it,” Leila murmured. “It would explain how the aliens might have escaped the lake since they wouldn’t have fed on the aquatic life.”
