The Shadow Summoner | Book Three - PJO Universe

seven

ANGRY COWS

They circled up their beanbags

Rachel spread blueprints across the floor between them.

"You guys know about the emperor's fasces?"

Ariana, Meg and Apollo shared a look that meant they wish they didn't.

"We're familiar," Apollo said. "In San Francisco, we destroyed the fasces of Commodus and Caligula, which made them vulnerable enough to kill. I assume you're suggesting we do the same with Nero?"

Rachel pouted. "That killed my big reveal. It took me a long time to figure this out."

"You did great." Meg assured her.

Ariana shrugged. "Apollo just likes to hear himself talk."

"I beg your pardon -"

"Did you find the exact location of Nero's fasces?" Nico interrupted. "Because that would be really useful."

Rachel straightened a bit. "I think so, yeah. These are the original designs for Nero's tower. They were not easy to get."

"I can imagine." Ariana mumbled to herself, looking at them intently.

Will whistled appreciatively. "I bet many Bothans died to bring us this information."

Rachel stared at him. "What?"

Nico sighed. "I'm guessing that was a Star Wars reference. My boyfriend is a Star Wars geek of the worst kind."

"Okay, Signor Myth-o-magic. If you would just watch the original trilogy." Will looked at the rest of them for support and found nothing but blank expressions. "Nobody? Oh, my gods. You people are hopeless."

"Anyway," Rachel continued, "my theory is that Nero would keep his fasces here." She tapped a point about halfway up the tower's cross-section schematic. "Right in the middle of the building. It's the only level with no exterior windows. Special-elevator access only. All doors are Celestial-bronze-reinforced. I mean, the whole building is a fortress, but this level would be impossible to break into."

Meg nodded. "I know the floor you mean. We were never allowed in there. Ever!"

A chill settled over their little group. Goose bumps dotted Will's arms. The idea of Meg, their Meg, stuck in that fortress of evil was more disturbing than any number of mysterious cows or penguins.

Rachel flipped to another blueprint - a floor plan of the ultra-secure level. "Here. This vault has to be it. You could never get close, unless..." She pointed to a nearby room. "If I'm reading these designs correctly, this would be a holding cell for prisoners." Her eyes were bright with excitement.
"If you could get yourself captured, then convince someone on the inside to help you escape-"

"Lu was right." Meg looked at Ariana and Apollo triumphantly. "I told you!"

"Forgive me for being betrayed by people in the past." Ariana crossed her arms.

Rachel frowned, bringing the blue paint spots on her forehead into a tighter cluster. "Who is Lu?"

They told her about Luguselwa, and the special bonding time they had shared before Apollo threw her off a building.

Rachel shook her head. "Okay ... so if you've already thought of all my ideas, why am I even talking?"

"No, no," Will said. "You're confirming. And we trust you more than ... er, other sources."

Ariana hoped he meant Lu and not her and Apollo.

"Besides," Nico said, "you have actual blueprints."

He studied the floor plan. "Why would Nero keep his prisoners on the same level as his most valuable possession, though?"