Page 44 of Legend of Scorpio
“How many flights of stairs this time?” she asked for distraction.
“Not many,” he replied with a grin. “But say the word and I’ll carry you.”
“I can climb on my own,” she grumbled, ignoring the temptation to say yes.
As they exited his room, she asked, “Do you really think your friend will find anything about the orb and why they wanted it so badly?”
“Depends on how cocky they are about their server security. Many criminals don’t trust computers to keep their secrets, and at the same time, having information accessible via a network makes sharing simpler.”
“I am struggling to see how a metal ball can be so important.”
“I would imagine it’s what’s inside they’re after and, before you ask, no clue what that might be. All I know is Sage really thinks it’s important we be the ones to have it in custody instead of them.”
The floor he stopped climbing at proved more modern than she’d seen thus far. A copy machine sat against a wall. There were screens on the walls displaying news channels from around the world and clocks showing the various time zones.
She craned to look around. “Is this like Zodiac Command Control?”
“Yup. As our head dude, Aries has that big office over there.” Scorpio pointed to a closed door. “The computer lab is here as well.”
“If this tower isn’t visible or accessible to the outside, how do you get internet and electricity?” she asked.
“Space fairies,” he replied with a straight face.
She snorted. “You’ll never let me forget that term, will you?”
“Nope.” He laughed. “As with all other things, the tower gives what we need.”
“And that doesn’t bother you? Don’t you want to know why? Who made the tower? How does it work?”
“I don’t need to know how to make bread to enjoy eating it,” he replied, leading her into the computer lab, filled with, you guessed it, computers and screens and a thickly muscled fellow sitting in a chair that spun as he turned to greet them.
“Good timing. I was just about to buzz.” The man’s smile widened. “Oh, hello. You must be Dr. Guthrie.” He stood and held out his hand. “I’m Aquarius.”
“Nice to meet you. Call me Rebecca.” She shook his extended hand. “I hear you’re the tech guru.”
“Guilty as charged. And you’re a pretty well-known scientist.”
“I don’t know if I’d say that,” was her demure reply.
“I read some of your published papers. I can see why you graduated top of your class.”
Scorpio cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt, but hoping for good news. Did you get into Cetus’ server?”
“Yes and no.” Aquarius sat and spun back to his screen. “I’ve managed to get past the first few firewalls. I’ve currently got access to employee files and scheduling, lab results, purchasing orders, even a few of their current projects.”
“I hear a but,” Scorpio stated, leaning against a desk with arms crossed.
“I encountered another firewall, a good one, I might add.”
“Can you crack it?”
“Most likely, but it will take me a bit more time,” Aquarius stated.
“Any idea of what’s hiding behind?” Scorpio questioned.
“Could be something, could be nothing.” Aquarius shrugged. “Won’t know until I get past it.”
“Well, that fucking blows,” Scorpio grumbled.