A/N: Hey all. Not sure how often I'll be updating. I'm hoping at least once a week, but we'll see how things go.

"The New York Police Department is still struggling to discover the reason for the attack on the Milestone Theatres Multiplex early yesterday evening." A new reporter said, gesturing behind herself to the NYPC combing through the Theatre, which had been shut down by Milestone Theatres the day after the raid.

"Eye witnesses and hospital reports only one casualty: seventeen year old Percy Jackson. Seventeen year old Annabeth Chase was stabbed in the arm, and the lower hip, but is expected to make a full recovery." She continued.

Behind her, a few men in dark suits were talking to witnesses, each of them carrying a notepad.

"We now go to Director Warren James, who has been placed in charge of the investigation. James, what do we know at this moment?"

Director James was a fairly young man. He was clean-cut, and carried an authoritative aura around him.

"According to testimony from witnesses, we have discovered that at least fifteen armed assailants attacked theatre #29, with the aid of at least six more disguised as theatre ushers." He informed her, his eyes glancing down at a notepad he was carrying.

"Do we have any idea who is behind the attack?"

James took a moment to clear his throat and adjust his tie before speaking again.

"Security camera footage lists the leader as a man named 'Raptorius', and he referred to the men in his command as 'Orion Squad.'"

"Has the FBI or any other agency been able to give us any background on this…Raptorius?"

"No. We believe the name is an alias of some sort. The man himself is Caucasian, black hair, tinted eye-visor. Carries two long blades in each hand, and wears almost entirely black in his clothing."

"What can you say to the rumors that there were bombs placed within the Theatre?"

"We confirmed several sets of military grade explosives on-site. Fortunately for us, the arming mechanisms failed, and the bombs were useless."

And that was when Annabeth snapped the TV off. She couldn't bear to hear anymore. She'd been discharged from the hospital that night, after her wounds were quickly patched up.

She couldn't get the haunting image out of her head. Percy laying flat on the ground, gagging and choking on his own blood. All because of him.

She shook her head. She couldn't get lost in that now. She had to finish getting ready. She was going to go with Percy's mother and step-father to claim his body from the Manhattan Victory District Morgue.

She then heard a knock at her door, as she was finishing making a few simple touches to her hair.

"Come in." she called out. She had been living in the dormitory for her preparatory school since after Kronos was killed. She had the room to herself, which allowed her and Percy to circumvent her school's draconian policies on visitors.

"Annabeth?" she heard a voice call out, and recognized it as Nico, one of her better friends. She knew he'd be coming. She didn't know how quickly word had spread, but Nico could always feel when someone died. For someone like Percy, she imagined it must've hurt.

"Nico!" she exclaimed, nearly running out of the bathroom. He had a skull and cross-bones T-shirt on, and wore a leather jacket similar to Percy's. His face was grim.

"How are you holding up?" he asked as soon as he got through the door.

"I'm not." She answered abruptly. "I can't even think about it, or I just…break down." She continued, trying to halt the shakiness in her voice.

"Yeah, I went through a spell myself when I felt it, and checked the news. Do they know who killed him?"

Annabeth placed her hands on the frame of her couch, and looked at him dead on.

"The assassin was kind enough to introduce himself before he garroted Percy." She told him, a tone of sheer bitterness evident in her voice.

"I saw the camera footage. The cops say 'Raptorius' doesn't match anyone. Gotta be a cover."

"I don't care who he is." She clenched her fist, and slammed it on the sofa. "I want to vent his head."

"We'll find him one way or another, Annabeth. I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him."

"You don't get it, Nico. The cameras didn't film how he killed Percy…I saw him die." She looked away, closing her eyes.

"He was a hero…he didn't deserve to die. And that…monster killed him…like an animal…"

Nico prepared to say something, but Annabeth raised her hand to stop him, unable to contain her thoughts anymore.

"He died choking on his own blood. He…he told me he loved me…" she trailed off. She had to stop here. She couldn't go any further, or she didn't know what would happen…

"Annabeth," Nico said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I'm so sorry…Percy was the best friend I ever had. I want to turn this…Raptorius inside out a few times over…"

Annabeth nodded, taking a deep breath, and wiping her eyes with her arm.

"I'm sorry about getting like that, Nico. It's just…a really, really hard subject."

"You've got nothing to be sorry about."

Annabeth turned around again, her composure seemingly regained.

"Has word reached Camp yet? Or Olympus?"

Nico nodded, his expression getting even grimmer. He folded his hands for a second.

"The Gods know. Poseidon has taken an absence from the Council to mourn. Hermes and Hephaestus are nearly as upset, but not quite. And the others, well…they vary."

"How so?" she had a feeling she knew the answer.

"Ares may as well be telling his cabin to hold a damn street party. Athena's about as excited, but she'd never vocalize it. Zeus seems neutral. Hera thinks this is just great."

"Does she?" She could feel anger welling up in her. Ares was no surprise. Nor was her mother, to be completely honest, though she expected better. But Hera?

"She's happy about it because it upsets you." Nico said, stifling a cynical laugh.

"Bitch." Annabeth muttered under her breath.

"But, they're all worried. Poseidon really didn't take the news well. Chiron's worried." Nico said, looking out grimly at the ocean.

"That he might take his anger out on the mortals?" Annabeth asked, knowing that if she was this devastated, Poseidon must be as much so, if not more. Percy was his favorite son.

"That he might decide one of the others was behind it, and declare war."

Annabeth felt her heart skip a beat.

"Another war between the Gods is NOT a good idea." She said plainly.

"Yeah. Chiron's trying to calm them down, or at least, trying to get them to give Poseidon some space."

"Ugh…" Annabeth muttered, crossing her arms.

"But, that's not why I'm here." Nico told her, leaning on her wall.

"I don't have time for much right now, I'm afraid. I'm going with Percy's parents to claim his body." She said dejectedly.

"That's why I'm here. I want to come along."

"You do?" Annabeth asked incredulously.

"Yeah. Like I said, Percy was the best friend I ever had. I want to be there."

While the two made their plans, much further uptown, more plans were in place. Others were interested in the body of the late Percy Jackson.

"How much are you offering?" a man crossed his arms, biting down on a tack in his mouth.

"This." Raptorius said briskly, tossing a bag filled with American dollars down on the table.

The four thugs in front of him eyed the bag greedily, as if predators eyeing their lunch. It was then that Raptorius pulled the bag away, a small, superior smirk drawing across his face for a half-second.

"You get it when you're done." He said flatly, handing the bag off to one of his bodyguards.

"Alright, we'll do it." The lead thug said, hunched over in his chair. "Where do you want us goin'?"

Raptorius said nothing, merely threw a vanilla colored file down on the table where the money had been.

"You go. You get the body. Don't think of coming back until it's done." He warned them, his eyes narrowing over all of them behind his visor.

"We're going! We're going!" the thug leader retorted, signaling his men to stand and follow him out.

When they were gone, Raptorius pulled a small, metal disc from his pocket. He pressed a button on the side, and brought up a bright blue holographic display.

"Objective complete, Lord Mobius." He spoke to the figure on the other end, bowing his head slightly.

"Good. Have an element of Orion Squad follow them to observe. When they bring the body back, you are to…take care of them." Mobius responded, sitting back in his chair.

"Yes, Master." Raptorius answered, bowing his head once again.

"Do not go yourself. I have been watching the communications. You attracted too much attention from the Human authorities. You cannot risk further exposure. At least…not yet."

"I understand, Master."

Mobius grinned evilly from his plush chair, before lighting up a cigarette, and taking a puff.

"Excellent. Contact me again when you have his body. Once we have it in orbit, the real plans can begin."

"Yes, Master."

…