“Do you know what this means?” Dr. Fon Regger asked, indicating the newspaper on his ornate desk. ”’Ancient artifact stolen from museum’, it says.”

“Er, no sir.”

“I wouldn’t think so. I have my theories, but my colleagues believe me an eccentric, an outlandish thinker, if even that. That means you must never tell anyone anything you ever hear in this office. It certainly won’t help my failing reputation.”

“Yes sir.”

“Very good. Now, from my files, some of the oldest, actually, I’ve found reports of an ancient artifact, possibly connected to the Aztec god Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli. This god was known to have caused great damage with his darts and fierce temper.

“Now, the Aztec calendar, if we choose to follow it, can record the dates of the types of his victims. Elders on 1 Alligator; small children on 1 Jaguar, 1 Deer and 1 Flower; nobles on 1 Reed; everybody on 1 Death. Legend has it that the god turned into the Morning Star. I believe his morning star is approaching, along with 1 Death.”