Chapter 6: Leo
It was fair to say the Galermi Aqueduct was not as impressive as the Pont du Gard. Whilst the Nimes aqueduct was a vast, imposing structure, the Galermi Aqueduct was a thin tube. A frosty chill blew throughout the narrow passage. Leo shivered. Ahead of him he could see a puddle. Mist rose off of the liquid's surface. The Styx water looked more like a viscous iron than water. Annabeth kneeled down and refilled the vial.
"Damn it," she said, "there's barely any here. It won't get us far."
"How far will we get?" said Jason.
"Well based on this amount, we'd probably reach Cyprus or Crete if were are lucky." Responded Leo.
Back in the hanger Leo began refilling the fuel tank of the Argo III. An arrow whizzed past his face, missing his head by mere centimetres, and lodged itself into the side of the plane. Leo spun around. Ahead of him several automatons stood. The figures were dressed as ancient Greek hoplite, with steel armour covering their bronze mechanical skeletons. In their right hand they held a sword whilst their left arms were housing crossbows. A bolt of lightning raced past Leo and impacted the nearest figure. The automaton shook as if it was having a fit and fell apart. Each individual piece steamed. Before Leo could react Jason rushed past him, brandishing his lightning bolt. Leo raised his hands, unleashing a torrent of fire towards the enemies. Tyson cracked his fists and crushed another figure in his bare hands. Leo was amazed at the cyclops's strength. Out of the corner of his eye Annabeth destroyed another automaton. Leo continued to burn the machines nearest to him until they lay on the ground as a pile of liquid steel and bronze. Jason fell to his knees as an arrow lodged itself in his shoulder. Leo rushed to his aid, melting the machine attacking him. It felt good to actually save Jason for once, instead of always being saved by him. Leo reached out his hand. Jason took it and Leo pulled him to his feet. Meanwhile Tyson crushed the last automaton's head.
"Lets get the hell out of here." Said the cyclops.
"Agreed." Leo responded. The group clambered onto the plane. The Argo III lurched forward, the new injection of fuel revitalising the engine into life. The plane raced out of the hanger and off Sicily, leaving Mount Etna far behind.
