Page 35 of Capture of Capricorn

“Tower knows.”

“Okay, then I’m off to check out your water pressure. See ya.” Zora’s round ass wiggled as she strode to the bathroom, and Capricorn resisted an urge to follow.

Barely just met and yet the woman was like a worm wiggling into his thoughts. But more scary? The way she also seemed to be wedging herself into a spot in his heart.

CHAPTER 11

The shower provedlarge with multiple jets and scorching-hot water. The bar of soap, while lacking the usual logo of the one back home, felt and smelled the same. The shampoo provided was the same brand she usually used, and she could have cried at the relief of finally feeling some semblance of normal. She’d been making do in her prison with generic crap that left her skin feeling dry and her hair a frizzy mess.

“Thank you,” she murmured. She’d finally accepted the fact that this place didn’t have an AI running things, but figured that whatever did provide would probably appreciate politeness. A building that could whip people through floors probably shouldn’t be pissed off.

As Capricorn predicted, when she emerged from the shower, wrapped in a huge fluffy towel, she found her dirty prisoner scrubs gone and a pile of clothes waiting for her. Good. Those rags were good only for burning.

The ensemble left for her could have come from her closest. Cargo pants, T-shirt, sports bra, and cotton undies. For her feet, athletic socks and, oh hell yeah, some steel-toed boots. Unlike most women, Zora hated heels and flimsy shoes. Given her line of work, she preferred something sturdy.

She emerged to find Capricorn watching his television. It took her a moment to grasp what he watched: a news report.

“What’s going on?” The scene on screen displayed military vehicles and personnel as well as people sitting on the ground, hands cuffed behind their backs.

“It appears the invasion of Area 51 by alien enthusiasts got the attention of the media. The military was called in to clear the protestors.”

The camera panned to a dark plume of smoke. “Did Crius’ base burn down?”

“They’re not saying, but it appears the fire we set hasn’t yet been put out. The place is mostly made of concrete, though, so I don’t imagine it will suffer too much structural damage, but their machines and shit will likely be ruined by smoke and water.”

“That should slow Crius down.”

“If we’re lucky. This isn’t the first installation of theirs we took out. Although, Aquarius has yet to find another.”

“You think the relic you’re looking for is still inside?”

“Doubtful. Dickhead most likely fled with it once he realized shit went south.”

“How will you find it, then?”

“By not looking. Apparently, I’m supposed to sit put for the moment and wait for it to surface.”

Her brow creased. “Wait? Doesn’t that give the asshole time to figure out how to use it?”

“That’s what I said,” he exclaimed. “But Aries seemed adamant that I’d be wasting my time seeking it out.”

“What about that Sage chick? Can’t she see where it is?” Zora still struggled with the idea of someone seeing the future, but Capricorn believed.

“She’s been having trouble seeing anything. Same with Olivia.”

“The little girl I met.”

“Yeah. When Sage asked her if she’d seen anything, Olivia apparently said, ‘Don’t worry. It’s coming.’”

“What’s coming?”

He shrugged. “Dunno, but I’ll admit it wasn’t exactly reassuring.”

“So we’re supposed to just sit around on our asses and wait?”

“Apparently.” He sighed.

“Poor baby. Stuck with me.”

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