Chasing Liberty, Part 1

“We can’t seem to shake Apex off, can we?” Jackboot asked.

The four of them were packed tight inside the elevator, with all of them sharing the same look of concern while Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede played in the background.

“We’ll have to deal with him eventually,” Thunder answered.

She looked tired. More tired than Sam had seen her since their trip began.

“Let’s hope Achelous wins the god versus monster deathmatch,” Sam replied.

They all stared at him.

“What?” he asked.

The song cutting out abruptly alerted them to the end of the elevator ride.

“Maybe if Achelous went full nuclear on Apex, but”—Farsight repeatedly tapped on the ‘open’ button—“his divine essence was barely possessing that automaton. He won’t hold a beta like Apex for long.”

“He can’t just juice up some more?” Sam asked as he followed Farsight out the elevator and through the gallery’s outer hallway.