Read Beyond Hades: The Prometheus Wars for Free Online Page B

He glimpsed something moving across her torso and leaned in closer to see what it was. It was some kind of insect, a beetle or -
    The dryad's right arm shot up impossibly fast and gripped Talbot by the throat, the talon like a steel vice. The eyes of the creature snapped open, and it sat up on the bench, drawing him closer at the same time, its mouth yawning open, impossibly wide and revealing rows of shark-like fangs within.
    KABOOM!!!
    The shot echoed around the room, and scientists scattered. Talbot, struggling furiously to draw breath, saw the beast's head snap back and its grip lessened slightly, allowing him a tiny gasp.
    KABOOM!!!
    This time the bullet entered the creature's eye and penetrated beyond, dust and splinters spraying from the hole. The beast went limp, the talon dropping instantly from Talbot's throat as the dryad crashed back lifelessly onto the work station. Talbot leaped backwards, holding his bruised throat as he scurried away, wheezing painfully, and trying to draw in as much air as possible.
    Captain Benedict stood, his Desert Eagle drawn and expertly aimed, smoke curling from the end of the barrel like an Arnold Schwarzenegger cigar. When the creature failed to move, the captain cautiously approached the counter, placing the barrel against its other eye and squeezing the trigger.
    Bachoonk!
    More smoke and splinters sprayed from the second ruined eye socket, and the marine stepped back, striding to where Talbot cowered on the floor.
    "Are you okay, sir?" he asked, keeping his gaze and weapon trained on the dryad.
    Talbot probed his bruised throat. "I think so," Talbot croaked.
    "Those idiots are supposed to make sure these things are dead before transporting them, and they know the only way to be certain is to penetrate the eyes. Damn."
    "They were probably too busy running for their lives, what with that cyclops razing your base and all," said Talbot, the aching in his neck slowly fading.
    "Good point," agreed Captain Benedict with a slight grin. "And I can't condemn them too much, I forgot to check too."

    ***

    Captain Benedict studied Talbot, checking him thoroughly for any sign of injury. He noticed the dryad incident had left the smaller man shaken, but otherwise unhurt.
    "Captain," began Talbot, "what's your first name?"
    The marine was taken aback by the question. He'd been expecting anything but that.
    "Er, my first name is Charles, but most people call me Chuck."
    Talbot looked at him appraisingly before grasping his hand and shaking it vigorously. "Well, thank you, Chuck, for saving my life."
    "It's my duty, sir," he answered uncomfortably.
    "That doesn't take anything away from the fact you did it. Now if you don't mind, I think I'd like to leave this little menagerie before something else tries to kill me." Talbot managed a weak grin.
    Captain Benedict found himself reassessing Doctor Harrison as they returned to the stairs. After their first meeting, and the ensuing encounter with the gryphon, Chuck had silently cursed. Although so physically identical to his brother, the man lacked some other indefinable quality which made people notice Thomas.
    He'd thought this babysitting job would be much more difficult, minding the nerdy archaeologist - the weaker of the two brothers. He couldn't be that important or else they would have assigned Thomas's bodyguard to protect him; Chuck had figured Talbot was just being brought along in case they found a use for him, but now he wasn't so sure.
    That cyclops had broken out for a reason; it was searching for something... or someone. Captain Benedict's eyes returned to Doctor Harrison once more.
    Despite Talbot's average build, there were some wiry muscles concealed beneath his loose shirt. The incident with the dryad should have left him close to mental collapse. Truthfully, the events of the day would have broken most men, but the doctor seemed to be taking it all in his stride. Either he was in complete denial, or he possessed more intestinal