Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Story: The Titan's Pirates
Chapter 1: Maritime
Ten months since the end of Prince in Training
Percy's POV
It's less than a month from the end of my first year at SUNY Maritime. This year has been incredible. I'm a triple major in Marine Architecture, Oceanography and Marine Geology. There are only a handful of triple majors in the school. The regimental part of the school has been easier to adjust to than I thought it would. I haven't received any demerits. I'm sitting in my dorm room right now with my roommate Chris Erickson. He's a year younger than me, but he's a freshman cadet as well. He's a double major in Marine Engineering and Oceanography. Chris is about six foot two inches and has light brown hair and blue eyes. We have become very good friends, which I'm happy about because I was concerned about having a full-time roommate this year. Chris is dating another freshman cadet her name is Terra Anderson, yea she spells her name in the latin form meaning Earth, it's pretty cool. Terra is a little shorter than Annabeth, but she has fiery red hair and dark green eyes. I know Chris is madly in love with her. Speaking of love, Annabeth and I have been going strong. We visit each other at least once a week and she has been doing great in her second year at Columbia University. Her mother also keeps her busy with the reconstruction of Olympus, it's a job that will take several more years to complete, but you'll never catch my wise girl complaining. Well, I need to get back to the project that Chris and I are working on.
"I still can't believe that this project is due in two weeks it seems like just a week ago that we started it." Chris said as we both looked at the computer-drafting screen. Chris and I had a joint project that was assigned between his engineering class and my marine architecture class. We were required to work on a project that required the combined efforts of a marine engineer and a marine architect. We have spent days designing our project, which is a new research submersible, you know like the ones that explore the ocean depths.
"If we angle the fore and aft components at least nine degrees, that should help add a few knots to the top speed." I said. Chris popped open the velocity calculator on the computer and ran through the calculations with my suggestion. He sighed and leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head as the computer calculated the new maximum velocity of the virtual reality submersible.
"Great work Perce, the computer says the top speed would be increased by four knots, very impressive." Chris said. I saw him make the recommended change to the plans and the simulated model of the submersible changed on the screen with the new design. The submersible looked almost like an underwater jet fighter. We were both very happy with the final design.
"Well, Chris I think that does it." I said, as I patted him on the back. The Neptune as we called the submersible was complete. I knew my dad would enjoy our naming the sub after his Latin name.
"Perce you wanna go out and celebrate? I can ask Terra if she wants to go." Chris said. That sounded great, the food at school was good, but you can get pretty tired of the same variety of foods every day.
"That sounds good to me, how about we go to that little Italian restaurant in Manhattan, I can call Annabeth to see if she can meet us." I said.
"Sounds good to me I'll call Terra and you call Annabeth, hopefully it's a date." Chris said as he ran out the door. I knew calling Terra for him meant running to the women's dorm and knocking on her door. I grabbed the phone off my end table and dialed Annabeth's cell phone. She still had the I-phone that Theseus gave us last year. The phone rang twice before I heard an answer on the line.
"What's up seaweed brain?" Annabeth asked happily. It was always great to hear her voice.
"Hey, wise girl, Chris and I finished the Neptune do you want to go out with us to celebrate?" I asked hopefully.
"That sounds great is Terra going?" Annabeth asked. Terra and Annabeth had both become very good friends, I found it interesting that they hit it off as well as Chris and I did. I guess it was fate, I'll have to remind myself to thank the Fates the next time I see them, which I hope isn't too soon.
"Yes, I believe so, Chris left to go get her a few minutes ago. We wanted to go to that little Italian place just down the street from the Chrysler Building." I said. The place had the best anti-pasta and lasagna in the city.
"That sounds great I'll meet you all there in an hour." Annabeth said.
"We'll see you there. Love you bye." I said.
"Love you too." Annabeth said as she disconnected the line. Yea, I know we sound like an old couple now, but we've been going out for years and we're both twenty. We're adults and there shouldn't be a problem sounding like it. Chris and Terra walked into my dorm room as I hung up the phone.
"Hey, Terra did he tell you?" I said as I gave her a welcoming hug.
Terra smiled at me in return and gave Chris a questioning look. "About dinner or the sub?" Terra asked. Chris smiled and put his arm around her waist.
"I told her both, it's time to celebrate." Chris said as he lifted Terra off the ground in a big hug. I just smiled and laughed at my two friends.
"Annabeth is going to meet us at the restaurant in an hour. We should probably get out of here." I urged as I stood up and walked toward the door. Chris and Terra followed arm in arm. It only took us about forty-five minutes to reach the restaurant by subway since it was Sunday afternoon.
I got us a table for four and the three of us waited for Annabeth to arrive. I saw Chris stare at me for a moment and I knew what he was thinking. "Alright I haven't told her yet." I said. I couldn't take his curious stare any longer. For whatever reason I could stare down a Minotaur, but Chris had a glare that just made me want to give up sometimes it was eerily similar to the looks that my mom and Annabeth would give me.
"I didn't say anything." Chris said, but he knew exactly what I meant. I could also tell that Terra knew as she looked at the two of us of shaking her head amusement.
"You two act like an old married couple sometimes. You're talking about the trip you need to make up your mind by tomorrow. You remember, right?" Terra said sarcastically. I did remember, but I didn't know how to tell Annabeth or what her reaction would be.
"Come on Perce, it's not like you would be gone all summer. It's only six weeks." Chris said matter-of-factly. I knew he was right, but I missed a whole year with her and I felt bad about leaving her again for any long period of time.
"I know, but when I was sick for that year. We hardly ever saw each other and I don't like being away from her for long periods of time." I said worriedly. Everyone at school thought I had been sick last year and that's why I started college late.
"That's really sweet Percy, but I know Annabeth will be happy for you. This is a great opportunity." Terra said. You see I was chosen to go on the summer research cruise with the senior class, only three freshman students had been chosen. It really was a great honor and opportunity.
"Alright, I will tell her after dinner." I conceded. I can't argue with my two friends, besides Chris and Terra were the other two freshmen chosen to go on the trip. We talked more about the trip until I spotted Annabeth walk into the restaurant.
"Quiet here she comes." I stated as all three of us discontinued any discussion of the summer research trip.
"Hey wise girl." I said as I stood up and kissed in her. Chris and Terra both greeted her with smiles and hugs. I made room for her to sit next to me and we ordered our food as the waitress appeared only a few moments later.
"Annabeth here is the final design for the sub." Chris said as he handed her a set of printed blue prints. Annabeth being the great architect student that she was eagerly grabbed the prints and unfolded them on the table. She reviewed them intently and then quickly rolled them up as our waitress dropped off our drinks.
"You guys did an incredible job the sub is beautiful. I especially like the color." Annabeth said happily.
"Well, thank the seaweed brain there. He made the final addition that added the extra speed and won our side wager, so he got to pick the color." Chris said with mock disappointment in his voice.
"You're such a sore loser Chris, you know that?" I said mockingly.
"Whatever Perce, you know you couldn't have done it without me." Chris said sarcastically. I just rolled my eyes and laughed at my friend.
"I was saying before you got here Annie, they do act like an old married couple, should we be jealous?" Terra asked as she gave both Chris and I an evil smirk.
"That is so funny 'Terrable' one!" Chris said. "Terrable" was Chris's nickname for Terra, although he only used it when he was trying to get back at her.
"Yea, don't make me kick your butt, 'Christopher Robin'." Terra said. 'Christopher Robin' was actually Chris's first and middle name, but Terra liked to use it because he hated it and because it was the name of the boy from the Winnie the Poo books and cartoons. Annabeth and I were now laughing at our two friends. They were such a cute couple and all four of us had become very close over the passed year. Annabeth and I were happy to have two mortal friends that meant so much to us. Our demigod friends are good, but having mortal friends made us feel well 'normal' I guess.
"No I don't think we should be jealous, but wouldn't you hate to be their neighbors?" Annabeth said sarcastically. Terra just nodded in agreement and laughed at us.
"Alright, let's stop the whole make fun of Chris and Percy game. It's getting a little much." Chris said as he gave all of us his best puppy dog face and eyes. I imitated him and before we knew it Annabeth and Terra were laughing at us again.
Our food arrived a few minutes later. Ah, the food here is so good. We ate our food and continued our conversation talking about school and the projects we were working on. After we finished we all sat at our table completely stuffed. One thing about Italian food it's definitely filling. "I don't think I'll be able to eat anything again for a week." Chris said as he placed his hand on his stomach and rolled his eyes. Terra just looked at him with mock concern on her face. I saw Terra look at her watch then she lightly tapped Chris on the arm. Chris's eyes lit up as he looked at her watch. "Sorry guys I have to take my better half back to school we have a study group for the marine biology class we're taking together." Chris said as he gave me a knowing glance. I knew they were just leaving to give me a chance to talk to Annabeth. We all said our good-byes, then Chris and Terra left arm in arm.
"They are such good friends it's so good to have them in our lives." Annabeth said as she laced her arm through mine and leaned her head on my shoulder.
I wasn't sure how to start off this conversation, but I knew I needed to, it was now or never. "Wise girl I have something important to talk to you about." I said seriously. Annabeth looked at me and I could tell that my serious tone worried her.
"Is something wrong?" Annabeth asked with a concerned expression on her face.
"No nothings wrong. Chris, Terra and I were chosen to join the senior class on the summer research cruise. We have to let the school know by Monday afternoon." I said. I could tell Annabeth was thinking this over, but she didn't look upset.
"So how long have you known about this?" Annabeth asked curiously.
"I was informed on Friday they gave us the weekend to think it over. I'm sorry I didn't call you earlier, but I was worried that you would be upset." I said. Annabeth looked at me and I could tell she wasn't very happy. "Please, don't be mad, I'm sorry."
"I'm upset that you didn't tell me earlier. This is a great opportunity, how many freshmen were chosen?" Annabeth asked.
"Well, only the three of us since we have the best GPAs of all the freshmen class." I said proudly.
"I'm really proud of you Percy and I'm glad that Chris and Terra will be going with you. It makes me feel better with them around to keep you out of trouble." Annabeth said as she gave me a mischievous smirk.
"Again I know I should have told you earlier and Chris told me as well. I was concerned that you would be upset that I was ruining another summer." I said defensively.
Annabeth just shook her head and laughed. "Seaweed brain you are so funny sometimes, no matter how smart you get you still can manage to act so silly sometimes." Annabeth said.
"Well, I guess I'll always be a seaweed brain at heart." I said with my patented crooked smile. Annabeth just smiled at me longingly as she stared into my eyes. I could see her mentally slap herself as she reasserted control.
"You know I hate it when you make me go all numb like that." Annabeth said. Secretly I knew she loved it, but I played along.
"Sorry, I can't help it if I'm just irresistible." I said grinning like a fool. Annabeth just laughed as she punched me in the arm.
"So how long is this cruise?" Annabeth asked curiously.
"Six weeks, so I would only miss the first part of camp. I'll have to talk to Theseus and let him know." I said. I could tell that she was happy that it was only part of the summer.
"Good, so I get to have you for two months then that should be plenty of time for some payback." Annabeth said ominously. My goofy grin evaporated at that sight, what does she mean by payback?
"Payback for what?" I asked.
Annabeth smiled at me with her grin that said you'll find out and it won't be good. "For not telling me on Friday." Annabeth said.
"I told you I'm sorry." I said. Then she smiled at me and began to laugh. She just played me, damn I hate when she does that. She saw the expression on my face and leaned forward and kissed me. I melted into the kiss and I forgot all about her teasing me. Gods I love this woman. We left the restaurant and I walked her to her dorm room. I kissed her goodnight and left for school. I was incredibly happy, I'm going on a deep sea research cruise. This summer is going to be incredible.
I hope you liked the start to this new story. I know the first chapter was just setting up for future chapters. As you can probably guess Percy's summer will not be as easy or as fun as he expects. If it was then it wouldn't make a good story.