The day after, Jim walked into the base research laboratory, housed within a converted hangar. Its vast interior buzzed with organized activity like a busy hive. Workbenches lined the walls alongside sophisticated testing and monitoring equipment, all bathed in the harsh white glow of LED fixtures suspended from the vaulted ceiling. Scientists in crisp lab coats and technicians moved purposefully between stations, absorbed in their various projects.

  On one bench, a team methodically fitted what looked like explosive grenades onto arrow shafts, while nearby colleagues tested a high-powered laser against a pair of sunglasses, the beam pulsing in brief, bright flashes. Yet what was at the center of the space that truly captured his attention. A massive stage dominated the hangar's heart, where a towering nine-foot humanoid construct stood partially assembled.

  He gazed at it in awe. The construct's body formed a striking patchwork of diverse materials. Bronze components had oxidized to a weathered brown patina, contrasting with sections of dark carbon steel, while the exposed inner framework gleamed with shiny titanium that reflected the harsh laboratory lighting. Its head presented a corroded bronze visage of imposing stature, hollow eyes gazing blindly into the distance with an unsettling intensity.

  The familiar sound of hooves against the floor approached him from behind. "Behold, the magnificent and powerful Talos," Chiron said.

  "Didn't waste any time, did you?" Jim asked, still taking in the sight.

  "No, we did not—everyone here was excited to start right away. Fortunately, we recovered enough pieces to analyze his mechanisms and begin reconstruction."

  Jim tilted his head. "He's smaller than I expected," Jim remarked.

  Chiron raised an eyebrow. "You imagined him to be a colossus, towering above the clouds?"

  "Yeah... from the stories I used to think of him... as tall as this hangar."

  Chiron chuckled, "You have quite the imagination! No, Talos, as you can see, is much smaller than that, although he is taller than you. Do you know how he fought?"

  "Did he throw punches or use a spear?"

  "Neither," Chiron replied, a note of amusement coloring his voice. "Though that's a reasonable assumption. Talos employed a far more terrifying method. He would immerse himself in molten lava, then embrace his enemies, burning them alive with searing heat."

  "Ouch. That must have been painful. How was he defeated?"

  "Jason and the Argonauts accomplished that feat," Chiron said, his tone carrying quiet pride. "All of whom trained under my guidance. One hero struck Talos's ankle with a lance, causing his life essence—ichor—to drain from the wound. He collapsed and never rose again."

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  "I'm guessing the major is reinforcing that part a little better this time?" Jim quipped.

  "Absolutely," a voice answered as Chang approached the two from behind. "This new version won't be so easy to take down."

  Jim whipped his head around. "Oh, hello, sir. Good to see you."

  Chang nodded in greeting, clipboard in hand, already jotting down notes. "Thanks to you, we have enough pieces to figure out how he worked," Chang replied. "Fascinating stuff, really. See, he had gears, arms, and crude actuators—surprisingly advanced for this period. But the materials? All heavy bronze. We're replacing those with upgraded alloys like high-carbon steel and titanium."

  Jim raised an eyebrow. "I assume his power source, or life essence, is ichor, then?"

  "Funny you ask," Chang said, tapping his pen against his clipboard. "His body has a network of channels, almost like human veins and arteries, through which flowed..."

  Chang immediately gestured toward Chiron.

  "Ichor," Chiron supplied.

  "Yep," Chang confirmed. "The divine essence. Unfortunately, we don't have any—nor a way to replicate it. And without it, he's just an incredibly strong, expensive... statue."

  "So," Jim mused, "if we get our hands on some Ichor, we just pour it in, and he wakes up? Starts running around, throwing boulders, and maybe hugging people to death?"

  "That's the theory," Chiron said. "Though... I've never actually seen the process."

  "One problem," Chang added. "Once he powers up, he might not be able to tell friend from foe. He could end up hurting people. We'll need precautions."

  "Glad to hear you've thought that through. Not even gonna ask," Jim said. "Sounds like I'm about to be tasked to find you some ichor to turn him on... sorry, I meant make him work."

  Chang nodded. "Sounds like you already have a lead."

  Jim grinned. "Yeah, I think I know who to ask."

  "Excellent. Good luck on that." Chang tapped his clipboard. "Oh, I've got something else to show you. Nothing major, but definitely interesting."

  Jim raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it—more gadgets?"

  Chang handed him a report. "I had Maddie go through the standard medical tests, including a vision exam. We wanted to analyze how her eyes function."

  Jim flipped through the pages, scanning the results. "All looks normal to me..." He stopped, staring in confusion. "No Data. What does that mean?"

  Chang exhaled. "It means," he said as he rubbed his chin, "she fried the testing equipment."

  Jim blinked. "Fried it? How?"

  "No clue. The electronic sensors burned out the moment she looked at them. Unlike our eyes, which act as passive receptors, hers seem to emit something—something that disrupts both other eyes and electronic sensors."

  Jim frowned. "Sounds like we won't get any answers while we're here."

  "Right, we won't know anything until we get her back to our time. We don't have the technology here to analyze what's going on with her vision."

  Jim shook his head in disbelief. "I shouldn't be surprised anymore. This entire era is just... insane."

  "I hope you don't consider me to be insane as well," Chiron interjected with gentle concern.

  "No, nothing like that," Jim clarified. "I meant the situation itself. The deeper we dig, the more enigmatic everything becomes. This world is nothing like we thought we knew. Every answer we find brings more questions."

  "Understandable. I appreciate the knowledge, advancements and techniques you brought to us," Chiron added.

  Chang nodded in agreement. "One thing at a time."

  "Yes. For sure. Thanks for showing me all this, Major. Good to see you, Chiron."

  Chiron nodded. "Be safe, Lieutenant."

  "Good luck out there," the major said as Jim turned and left the building.