A/N: Uh-oh, Samson's got himself a band of assassins as prisoners. Hopefully Chiron won't be mad about that, lol nah he totally is. We're back at camp now, and that means he's reuniting himself with his old quest buddies. There'll be some big bombs being dropped finally this chapter, so get yourself ready for that.


With Samson, spring 2011

"You're not mad, right?"

"…"

"It's only for a minute, I swear! I'll throw them out after I get some intel from them."

"…"

"…Sure you're not mad?"

Chiron clears his throat and sighs deeply, running a hand through his hair while Mr. D sips on a coke and watches me neutrally.

"I am rather… displeased, Samson, bringing prisoners into camp grounds represents a great risk to camper safety. I would much appreciate it if you would consult me first before doing actions such as this."

"Right, I'll keep it in mind later. Thank you, Chiron, so what should we do about the prisoners? They have knowledge from Mori most likely, do we have some kind of interrogation room? Maybe a camper who can… convince them?"

He looks away in thought, idly stroking his beard, "We'll try speaking with them cordially first, violence is something I wish to avoid if we can. Bring them to the basement of the Big House, I'll set up a table for them. Come back in an hour, we may begin then."

I nod at him and head back outside of the Big House. I stop at the top steps and look out across the camp, taking a deep breath and smiling at the fond overlook. Campers of all ages run around, young demigods happily going about their days with a joyful smile.

It's nostalgic being back here, seeing little glimpses of myself in the faces of all these new campers. I think after I'm done with everything I'll see if I can find a job here. Maybe I'll be an armorer? I can't help but chuckle at the imagery.

A young god living in a van palace that aspiring heroes go to for special equipment. Gods I can see the surprise on their faces already when Chiron sends them to a van.

But enough with the dreaming, I've got some assassins to interrogate.


The basement is exceptionally dark when I hand the boys off to Chiron and surprisingly Mr. D, the Olympian being here to pass on the information we learn to the rest of the council. It seems even Olympus is worried about the potential discord Mori could unleash if she's completely unhinged.

Also, for some reason, Laila's here with us too. She's uncharacteristically happy about this, she's even brought that gods forsaken 'toolkit' with her. Along the way to the Big House she opened it up and showed me the stuff she has in there as well as describing their uses.

Yeah, I'm still kind of fucked up from that.

"For the last time Laila, we're not using a spiked sounding rod on them!"

"Oh come on, why not? Just do it to them and they'll tell you everything! I've done it before and let me tell you, a quarter inch in and they'll be flapping their lips in no time!"

"I agree with the snake-bitch, torture goes a long way in interrogations."

"Mr. D," Chiron scolds, wagging a finger at him like a mom, "Camp is to maintain integrity and a PG 13 rating at all times! Such graphic content is far too violent for our younger campers."

"I've seen some of these brats torn to shreds less then a year ago, but I guess PG 13 makes total sense then. Whatever, let Braniac talk them into insanity, that's PG, right?"

Laila and Mr. D huff and stand off to the side while I approach the tied up and gagged boys. The Hermes boy was the leader, so if he folds then the other two will.

I remove the sock I wedged into his mouth and pull up one of those cheap plastic chairs you buy from Walmart and sit across from him. My charge is completely silent, eyes hardened and clearly ready to challenge me at every step of this interrogation.

"So, I think-"

"Eat my pickled dick, you slippery asshole."

Okay, so right off the bat with this one… absolutely fantastic.

"Wait… what's wrong with your wiener?"

His eyes widen for a second before he glances away and curses under his breath. Mr. D and Laila cover their mouths while they chuckle and Chiron and me just deadpan at the boy.

"Hold on… I'm taking that back. I'll just restart with a classic case of the Fuck You's. I'm not talking assholes, so just throw me in a cell or something. We're professionals, we'd never betray client security."

"Fair enough but let me ask you something else. Why even give a fuck? Your employer isn't going to bail you out, your little… group is going to kill you even if you escape. So just throw those fuckers under the bus, in the end they'll be doing the same thing. Logically it's your best move, fuck them before they fuck you."

He looks away face scrunched in confusion, "That… makes sense while also being the dumbest thing ever."

"Exactly, now tell me; does it really matter? Look at where you're at right now. Tied up in a basement being questioned like a respectful person, completely oblivious to the Lamia witch just waiting for the chance to shove a spiked rod into your pee-hole."

"She wants to do what?!"

He looks over at Laila who gives him a fang-mouthed smile while eerily waving her fingers at him. He gulps nervously and glances at me with an expression of pure desperation.

"Okay, yeah, fuck that. I'll gladly tell you everything, just keep her away from me!"

Laila's smile drops and an aura of depression circles around her. Mr. D comforts her, himself too being depressed about the lack of fucked up torture going on. Gods, these two are actually idiots.

"Wonderful," I say, smiling at him, "Then tell me everything."


Well… that went pretty good actually. I was right when I guessed they were hired by Mori, but apparently they weren't the only things sent after me by Mori.

The Hermes boy told me that Ignis was a first attempt by Mori herself on my life. She sent him after me, and the boys were to watch to make sure I actually died. At some point after the fight, however, Mori changed her mind and wanted them to kidnap me and take me to her.

While they had great information for me, Mori never contacted them directly. She used telepathy of some kind to initiate orders, so the assassins have no clue at all where she's currently located.

But there was still some great knowledge they gave to me, however. Blake's intel about Mori having F.O.B's was correct, the Hermes kid told me that she has four bosses operating out of four bases located around the continental United States.

They don't know where all of them are, but they do know of one. The boss at that one has control of the Black Hand, using the assassins as enforcers as well as using his base to house the order.

It's clear that it's the first place I need to go to, and there I can accomplish many things in one fell swoop. One is to destroy the base out and weaken Mori's empire, another is figure out where I can find the other bases as well.

The last bonus from destroying the base is taking out the Black Hand as well. Without Mori's support, the order should faze out and hopefully get the assassins to leave me alone.

According to the boys, the base itself isn't that large. It's more of a supply outpost populated by a small contingent of monsters.

Still, danger there comes in the form that even a dozen demigods could lose against a small army that populates that base. If I'm going to be doing it solo, then I need to be highly prepared for a fight like this. Crowd control is going to be important here, so stocking up on explosives would be a smart choice.

"So, you've got a location. What now?"

I look over and see Mr. D leaning against a railing with his iconic can of coke in his hand. His majestic purple eyes stare at me with intensity, as if he's expecting something from me.

"Well, I guess it's the start of my next and hopefully last journey. I've got to pop the bases until they lead me to my wife, from there I guess… ask for a pardon from Zeus?"

He humph's indignantly and takes a sip from his drink, "Still haven't figured it out yet, have you? Whatever, you'll learn in time. You know, you remind me of myself back then actually."

I raise a curious eyebrow, "Really, how so?"

"I was a demigod before I became an Olympian. It wasn't easy getting godhood from my father, I too had to prove myself worthy of it. You're on the right path now, so try not to muck it up. I've already put a large sum of money against Hermes you'll make it through in the end, so do right by me and perhaps I'll throw my weight around to get you a pardon. Oh, would you look at that, something more important to do."

I look away as he flashes out Olympian style. That was… probably the most interesting conversation I've had with a god as of late. Does-does Dionysus actually care about me succeeding? Or is he only interested because he has money on the line?

Most would think the last one, but I remember Dionysus before he was salty like he is now. When I was young, he was director for only a temporary amount of time. He was still kind of a dick back then, but the stories I hear from Campers here he's much worse now.

Are we… bonding over our kind of similar circumstances?

I don't know, but it's not something I should be bothered with right now. Still, what does he mean by 'still haven't figured it out'? I honestly have no clue what he's alluding to, so I guess I'll just have to see what happens in time.

With my pondering done for the moment, I head over to the Athena cabin to gather up some of the supplies we stash under the floorboards. Technically we're not supposed to, all requisitions are supposed to go through the Camp Store.

But Athena kids have a natural talent for stockpiling our own gear for quests like this. It's nice seeing Richard's legacy of illegal activities continue on with another generation.

The Cabin's bound to be empty, seeing as how Annabeth is currently with them and Bianca on a field trip to the Natural History museum for another the rest of the day. I approach the door to the cabin but pause when I hear the sound of what I guess to be large shears chopping something.

Goosebumps roll down my arms, a sense of anxiety triggering warning bells in my instincts. This… something's wrong here. But… I can't stop myself from opening the door, like some outside force is compelling me forth.

I open the cabin door, and come face to face with my destiny.


Three old ladies sit in authentic wicker chairs, one spinning a blue thread where another measures it, up until the final one cuts it with a large and bedazzled pair of yarn scissors. Fear crawls up my spine, being in the presence of supreme beings such as this makes me want to turn around and run until I no longer can.

The Fates, the daughters of Zeus and Themis, masters of destiny, or so they imply.

In perfect synchronization all three of them stop their work and look at me, hollow eyes and wrinkled faces at me smiling at me with a surreal and uneasiness to me.

When they finally speak, each one takes a turn to complete the previous one's sentence.

"Hello-"

"-child of Wisdom, ascended demigod-"

"-we have come now, the time for destiny is at hand."

"Samson, you know what must be done-"

"-yet still you deny it,-"

"-You run from us. From destiny."

"-There may only be one, yet there are three."

"We cannot have this."

"Luna must be banished,-"

"And so, you must as well."

"End this ceaseless machination, banish the Titan and raise another."

"For this is our decree,-"

"-Our will is absolute,-"

"Lest you find yourself challenging fate."

"Speak your peace so that we may leave, tell us now. Who are you to challenge fate?"

I can barely hold myself back from shaking vehemently, the hollow words of the Fates making my skin feel like it's crawling. But… I know there's more to the fates then what they show to others. Even if I have to defy them, I will do what I can for Mori.

Even… even if it means I have to die.

"I've-I've seen through the illusions of reality before, as per the power of Oculus. I caught a glimpse of what everything means and found fate to be far more fluid then even the gods think. Destiny may not be so absolute as we believe. This is what I believe, but I know what is coming for me. If it will ensure Mori's safety, then I will die."

The Fates give me a toothy smile, their hollow eyes twinkling with some kind of mirth, or even excitement behind them.

They have me cornered and I know it. I have to die as they planned long ago, and only then can Mori be safe. It's a crushing feeling accepting my destiny, knowing that soon I'll never be with her ever again. But for her sake, I'll do whatever it takes.

Slowly they fade away into nothingness, the last sound I hear from them is the horrible echo of their scissors cutting a yarn, likely my own.

I sit down on a nearby bunk and hold my hands to my chin. Sometime alone, I think I need that right now.

Nobody needs to see me crying.

I was almost done loading supplies into my Van when a familiar pair of voices calls out from behind me. I curse to myself while they wait for me. Dammit, they weren't supposed to get involved!

"And where do you think you're going, mister? Not bailing on us for a suicide mission, are you?"

"Y-yeah, that's kinda stupid. At least take us with you! No one should ever be alone!"

I turn around with a sigh, meeting the expectant gaze of Annabeth with Bianca doing her best to give me a stern glare by her side.

"Hey guys… how was the museum? I thought you were going to be gone all day."

"We were, but a cyclops came and wrecked the place. Listen, don't try and distract us by changing the conversation! We just got done talking with Chiron. Samson, don't be an idiot! I know how you feel about having companions on your quests, I've read your journal before. But that doesn't matter, you will die if you try and do this solo, you need back up!"

Bianca steps forward, her dark eyes seemingly boring a hole into my souls, "I know you feel alone, like you don't belong… I know this because I feel the same way! But Sam, that's why you need to stay with those who understand you! Don't push yourself away from everyone. You told me a while ago you wanted to help others, so you should accept help when it comes to you!"

"Bianca… Annabeth… I appreciate it, I really do, but this could mean your deaths. I'm immortal, even if I… die, I can come back later. I have a second chance. When I go on quests, people around me die. Last one we got lucky Percy didn't die! He only survived because the Ocean let him, any other demigod would've died well before we got him a potion. It's safer for all if I go by myself, nothing will be lost if I do."

"That's not true," Bianca shouts at me, surprising Annabeth and myself with the sheer amount of emotion she put into her words.

"You matter Samson! You matter to so many people! Don't run away like I did, all you'll do is hurt those around you! Whether you like it or not we're coming with! So move over, I'm your co-pilot, just like you said! We're a team, a duo! That's how it's been, and that's how it'll always be!"

She huffs a few times before blinking and looking at us in shock. She blushes and pulls her little beret down as if she's trying to cover her face. Annabeth and I look at her in shock for a moment before Annabeth smiles and pats Bianca's head.

"Well said, Bianca, I'm proud of you," She looks at me with a hard glare, "You are too. Right, brother?!"

"O-of course I'm proud! Damn Bianca, you've really grown in the month I've been gone! Very well, you guys know what the plan is. We've got a monster base to destroy, so let's get to it. But please… be careful! I want us all to make it back home at the end of this with minimal injuries."

Bianca lifts her hat back up and gives me a small smile. Her eyes twinkle with joy, and I can't help but feel just a bit better. You know, I think they're right. I have a family here helping me out, I shouldn't alienate myself.

The Daughter of Hades beams me a proud smile and glances at me expectantly, "Soooo… can we go to McDonald's?"

Annabeth slaps her face and sighs dramatically. Her despondent demeanor soon turns to anger when I say we'll stop there for lunch.

Yeah, I like having a family. I think for once, I've made a good choice.


It's kind of nostalgic being back on another road trip with Bianca and Annabeth. It's pleasant, relaxing even. Bianca and Annabeth take turn hanging out with me while I drive my van back to the west coast. The Hermes boy I interrogated told me the base is in Washington. The state, not the capitol.

The base is deep in some backwoods area well away from any city. A completely private compound with its own security garrison.

Thankfully the whole place is only barely larger then the pharmacy headquarters we raided for stuff a month ago. The main headquarters of the compound is likely where we'll find the boss, so we'll take him out and burn the place down.

As violent as that sounds, our little child of death is very excited to go out and destroy things. According to Annabeth, she's been really craving violence since I left for the tournament.

It's demigod… puberty, I guess? Or she's actually a bloodthirsty psychopath deep down inside. Rumor has it demigod children of Hades are often crazy, and it seems Bianca might be heading down that path.

Ah man, that sounds like it might be a problem.

I was fairly disappointed when I found out neither Percy or Nico were available to help us out with this mission of ours.

Percy I can understand because his mother recently gaze birth to a new sister. Not a demigod mind you, little Estelle Jackson is a pureblooded mortal girl. Nico, however, is a different case. After he vanished in the junkyard in Arizona, there hasn't been a single iota of information about him since.

He's vanished completely from the face of the earth, much to Bianca's trepidation. She's been a nervous mess while I was gone, even IM's couldn't find the boy.

As cruel as it is to say, it's not something we can be concerned with for the time being. Our mission is something that's absolute. If Nico wants to come back to society, then we'll be ready as always. Until that point, we have our purpose.

Annabeth is up in the front seat with me currently. Bianca's inside 'learning' from Laila about… stuff. I have no clue what 'stuff' is, but I hope to all of the gods I can name she's not showing her that fucking torture kit she has.

"What can you tell me about this base? Did that Hermes boy have any statistics on monster population and loadout?"

"There was something I can infer, but he didn't really pay attention to stuff like that. Total garrison there is between one hundred and two hundred. The biggest threat is a small force of giants, likely gegeines. What I'm worried about is if they have modern weaponry. You said Mori's base when she brainwashed you had outdated, but actual mechanized weapons like tanks and artillery. You brought the whole place down, but there's a chance that wasn't the entire mechanized force. A good leader has resources scattered across many bases, and Mori is clever."

"Then we need to think of a good counter for heavy vehicles. Monsters are dangerous, but they aren't good with mortal weapons. If anything, then it's potential demigods with automatic weapons we need to be careful around. Honestly, some Greek fire grenades would be an excellent counter. It'll burn through light armor, and no demigod will stay around when an all-consuming fire is spreading. Though for our safety's sake, acquiring some bulletproof armor would be good. Juggernaut can block bullets, so all we need is two things for Bianca and myself."

"Hmm… I think I know where we can get some gear. Back during my second quest, Mori stole an armored van from the SWAT force Laila sent after us. We abandoned it in the woods outside of some small town in the Colorado mountains. We'll swing by there and get the gear we left behind. It's old, but it should hold out fine."

"Well, Colorado is along the way. Bulletproof vests could be what keeps us alive, so I suppose a small detour is fine."


The trip to the town out in Colorado took some time, but we arrived there in midday. The forest certainly has changed in the last forty years, but I recognized many of the same Nymph's from last time. Even that one that tried to get me to bang her niece. Anyways... they lead me to the van Mori abandoned here years ago, and thankfully the armored vehicle held up to the test of time.

The paint is all but gone, and much of the armor is rusty while vines and other plants wrap the vehicle up in a floral cocoon, but the cargo bay itself remained dry so the equipment inside was still fine.

Annabeth cracked open a metal safe and pulled out a couple of old bulletproof vests for herself and Bianca. Bianca's was pretty big on her, but she'll just have to make do. We were about to leave when Bianca points out another safe under the seats. Being the curious owls that we were, we busted those open to and revealed a box full of old assault rifles.

"Holy crap... think we can use these?"

"You know what? That's actually a really great idea!"

Bianca reaches into the box and pulls out what I guess to be a grenade launcher.

"Hey Samson... think we can scrap the van and make a tank?"

I give her a very excited grin. Turning my van into a tank? Dude... hell yes.