Dr. Fon Regger set out into the damp Munich morning. Fog clung low to the streets. He sighed and watched his breath blossom out from his mouth. It had been a late night, searching for and researching that mysterious artifact. Could it indeed have been connected to the Aztec god? If so, we were all in very grave danger.

His theory, however, had only grown stronger after reports that Venus was soon going to be at its closest to Earth. Venus, after all, was Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli’s planet, his morning star! On 1 Death, no less, only a week from now.

Yes, he must resign from his scientist ways again. He must become a hunter again. He had to track this thing down and destroy it, and whatever got in his way, so be it. . . .