Euno: Warrior Women of the League, #6

By Jo Carey and Frank Carey

Can Euno and her sort of boyfriend, stop the world-ending plans of a Titan monster god?

Euno, the immortal Goddess of Law, has learned that she prefers investigating cases to prosecuting them in the courtroom, but sometimes her methods are too heavy-handed for her employer, Xenure Pharmaceuticals.

She uncovers a plot that could destroy her homeworld and imperil the mortal and immortal citizens of the League of Planetary Systems.

Can a goddesss and an assassin save the world and build a future together?

Euno is the sixth book in a unique science fiction adventure series featuring the Warrior Women of the League. Euno is one of the Immortal Ladies Sagas which feature strong female characters and some real twists on the legends of mythology. 157 pages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jo Carey
• Release date: Apr 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386097792

Jo Carey

Jo Carey grew up in the Midwest but her curiosity and gypsy-spirit has kept her on the move. She's lived in eight US states and spent three years living in Ireland. She has always loved creature movies, so creatures and bugs often show up in her books. Jo, a former information security compliance guru, writes fast-paced, character-driven stories in a variety of genres from medical thrillers to space operas and cozy mysteries. Her novels are filled with humor, romance, and sometimes creatures or aliens, or maybe even all of the above. She often builds her stories around a strong female lead character surrounded by plenty of hunky male heroes. Jo's been under fire on a golf course and climbed out the roof of an elevator in the Netherlands. Life hasn't been boring. Now residing in Texas, setting often plays a huge role in her stories. Jo was intrigued by the League of Planetary Systems, a world her husband, Frank, created for his science fiction books, and she now writes mysteries and other types of tales sets in that world. Jo was bitten by a cat, a fire ant, and a snake, before succumbing to the bite of the writing bug.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

We have to stop them, Thalassa said. No good can come of this.

It is only the Zubrovkan eels they're after, Ikatere said. There are many of them well away from the area where Langston plans to search. What does it matter if they harvest a few?

What matters is what they plan to do with them, Thala said. If everyone who can afford an expensive medical procedure can become immortal, I fear the balance of good and evil will be shifted. And what if they can use this to create a weapon as Typhon did?

We can blame Typhon for all of this. If he hadn't meddled in the natural order of things, we wouldn't be faced with this situation.

Thalassa and Ikatere sat on a log behind Langston's camp. The jungle vegetation that had taken over Old Olympia provided sufficient cover to hide them but let them stay close enough to hear the words of the people sitting around the table that had been set up outside the common pod that served as their kitchen and meeting room.

We'd better get back to camp or they'll start wondering where we are, Ika said, pulling Thala to her feet.

They'll just assume we wanted to be alone, she said.

When they walked back into the camp, Langston said, About time you two showed up. I knew you two had a thing for each other when I hired you. Just keep it under control and focus on the mission.

Yes, sir. Sorry, sir, Ika responded, while Thala just gritted her teeth and headed to the common pod to fix a mug of tea.

Langston was a thug and Thala would like nothing better than to see him meet his fate at the hands of some of the sea creatures she commanded, but they needed to play along until they could find out who was financing the search for the eels.

She stood with both hands wrapped around her mug and looked over at the group gathered near the boats. Thalassa had met Ikatere when they were both teaching marine biology at the university on Tralaska. Both were considered experts in their field which wasn't surprising seeing as Thalassa was the Ancient Greek Sea Goddess considered the mother of all the fish in the sea, and Ikatere was the Maori fish god, father of all sea creatures. If it swam in the oceans, these two held power over it.

Ikatere was quite an impressive figure. Tall and muscular, his brown skin glistened with sweat in the sunlight as he stood talking to some of the other fishermen. When Thala met him at the university, there was an instant connection due to their mutual love for all sea creatures. They dated a few months before Thalassa learned that Ikatere was an immortal like her. That was something else they shared.

She'd been contacted by Langston and asked to take part in a search for the Zubrovkan eels on Old Olympia. It was her home once, and she couldn't refuse a chance to return. She had read about the current state of the planet and the new sentient species that now governed it. What an amazing reversal of fortune it had been for her home world. When she told Ikatere about the expedition, he wanted in. He filled her in on the rumors he'd heard about the Zubrovkan eels having been used to rebuild the epsilon fields of some immortals. The epsilon field was what gave all the immortals their longevity. If it were true, it could have far reaching ramifications.

When Thalassa first suggested that Ikatere join the expedition, Langston had balked, but she'd made the case that Ikatere was a fish whisperer who would be invaluable in finding the eels they were after. Before they left on the expedition, Thala convinced him of the potential risk to immortals if Langston was able to bring back the eels which were destined to be turned over to a large pharmaceutical company on New Olympia for research. She'd reached out to Bob and validated the story of what had happened with the rescue mission that had been sent to Old Olympia over a year ago now. It was that mission that led to finding the new sentient species on the planet and starting a revival of Old Olympia.

XXX

Thalassa, you'll stay on the boat monitoring the sensors, Langston said. Ikatere, you'll be in the water with these two. He pointed to his two companions—an Olympian couple who said they were experienced divers. During their first meeting, the two had bragged about their escapades capturing a great white shark on Earth, but Ikatere easily one-upped them with his accounts of swimming with the Kraken on Old Olympia.

We need at least ten eels, Langston said as the divers donned their underwater gear. Remember, we want them alive and only the Zubrovkan ones.

Thala and Ika had discussed a strategy to make it appear that they were working toward capturing the desired eels, but they couldn't let Langston get his hands on any of the creatures.

The eels could be dangerous. Ika knew how to handle them, but he wasn't convinced that his dive partners had the required skills. They found a swarm of eels but not the right ones. These aren't the eels we're looking for, Ika said.

I think I found a Zubrovkan, the female diver said. Ika started to explain why she was wrong, but it was too late. She got too close and the eel gave her a strong shock which knocked her out cold. Her partner rushed to her aid and was quickly surrounded by the Prastok eels. He was stung numerous times.

I need help down here now, Ika said into his mic. The other two are down. I can't get them both to the surface by myself.

He checked out the two divers and quickly realized that the female would likely survive her injuries, but the male had received too many stings. He'd be lucky to live to reach the surface. A medbed might save him, but the nearest one was lightyears away. Never mind. I'm heading to the surface now.

Langston was skeptical of Ika's assessment of the other diver's injuries, so he ordered the Maori to retrieve the other diver even if he was dead. Ika did as requested. By the time he made it back onboard the boat, he was exhausted and questioning how he ever let Thala talk him into being part of this.

Langston was determined to carry on with the hunt. He moved the ship to another location where they tracked some eels they thought might be the right variety. Thalassa, you'll have to dive with Ika. We have no choice, Langston said.

That was fine with her. Thalassa loved being in the water surrounded by the creatures she understood better than most of the people she interacted with. She and Ika found the Zubrovkan eels easily but reported to Langston that the eels swarming around them were not the variety they needed.

CHAPTER TWO

On New Olympia...

Euno, you're wanted in the boss's office. Pronto, Patria said. His secretary said no excuses. Should I round up some boxes in case we have to pack up our desks?

No need for that, Euno said. I'm sure Mr. Halliday only wants to congratulate me on my latest coup.

Of course, Patria said, as she headed out in search of boxes.

Euno stopped in the ladies’ room to check her hair and makeup. She applied a fresh coat of her Take No Prisoners red lipstick, fluffed her shoulder length golden-blond hair, and smoothed her gunmetal blue pencil skirt. Lookin' good, she said, heading out the door. She took the elevator up two floors and made her way to the office of the COO of Xenure Pharmaceuticals. 

Good morning, May, she said. I believe he's expecting me.

Sit, May commanded, pointing to one of the upholstered chairs outside Mr. Halliday's office. He's on a call, but he definitely wants to see you.

After flipping through the out-of-date magazines, Euno walked up to May's desk. I can come back, if he's tied up. I have work to do.

Perhaps, but you need to wait until Mr. Halliday can speak with you.

Euno had never found May to be overly warm but today her mood was practically glacial. Euno returned to her chair and turned her attention to the messages on her datapad.

A few minutes later, the inner office door opened, and Mr. Halliday walked out, running his hands through his hair in irritation. Dammit, I hate dealing with lawyers. Always makes me feel like I need a shower when I'm through, he said, looking at May.

Yes, sir, she said. Ms. Troy is waiting as requested. She nodded her head toward Euno.

He motioned for Euno to follow him into his office. You're a lawyer, aren't you Ms. Troy?

Yes, sir. Perhaps I can be...

That explains a lot, he said, sinking into the butterfly leather chair behind his burled walnut desk.

Euno started to reply, but he held up his hand to stop her. Don't say anything.

As a lawyer, Euno understood the value of silence. Mr. Halliday hadn't spoken a word and, although the silence grew uncomfortable, Euno would never succumb to such an obvious trick to get her to blurt something out without thinking. She folded her hands in her lap and looked out the window behind Mr. Halliday. His office on the fifteenth floor of the Atlantis Tower had a magnificent view of the harbor.

Ms. Troy, do you have any idea why you're sitting in my office this morning?

I assume you want to congratulate me on obtaining the information you wanted regarding Trimeric's plans for a drug to cure vision problems.

You're wrong, but the issue we need to discuss does have to do with your investigation of Trimeric.

I've given you everything they have on that project. Xenure has their formula, test results, and the name of the principle chemist. What more do you need?

The information isn't the issue. As usual, you've delivered exactly what was requested. The issue is your methods.

I assure you all of my methods were legal, and nothing can be traced back to Xenure Pharmaceuticals.

That may well be true. I'll admit that to succeed in this business sometimes requires me to tread a very fine line on what is ethical, but I still want to be able to sleep at night, Ms. Troy.

Forgive me, Mr. Halliday, but I have no idea what you're getting at. I did what I was asked to do. I was successful in providing the information you requested. I don't understand what the problem is.

Ms. Troy, this is not the first time we've talked about your tactics. While I appreciate you being no holds barred in the courtroom, you've been warned about using inappropriate coercion tactics. This time you've gone considerably too far.

I can assure you that on this assignment I operated, as I always do, well within the law, Euno said.

So, you don't believe you have any complicity in the death of Mr. Papadakis?

Death? Of course not. When I last spoke with Mr. Papadakis, he was living and breathing. He may not have been happy to be backed into a corner that led to him sharing the information about Trimeric's latest product development effort, but I certainly had nothing to do with his death. How did he die?

He jumped off the roof of Trimeric, after confessing all to their COO and turning in his resignation.

That can hardly be my fault, Euno said. "The man had a guilty conscience.