Bregamar tapped the secret code below Serakin's cell.
His big brother knocked back after waiting two minutes, as they agreed. Bregamar cracked open the floor tile under the bed, nice and cautious.
Serakin was sitting on the floor, his back to the mattress. "Brother," He murmured.
"Listen," Bregamar wasted no time. "Things are finally in motion. The plan is a go. The ace card I mentioned? He's in play now."
Serakin heaved a sigh. "I told you little bro, this doesn't feel right. You're getting this Percy's hopes up for nothing. You're-" He caught himself. "We're using him, through and through. What are we gonna do with him after? Take him with us? Abandon him here?"
Bregamar scowled and he so wished his brother could see him. "Always the sentimental one."
"And you always the cold one."
"If I was so cold I wouldn't be here risking my freedom so you can keep yours! Remember that!"
Serakin shifted. "I do. Everyday. And everyday I regret killing our...you know."
"Why?" Bregamar spat. "He deserved it. The man was a monster. Mom can finally have peace and quiet and freedom. And once her sons return to her, we can be a family again. So get out of your feelings and stick to the plan. Percy's not going home but we are. You got it?"
The brother straightened up, resolve sinking into his bones. "Got it."
Bregamar began to sink back into the floor.
"Breggie?" Serakin called out softly. "Thank you, brother."
Bregamar paused a couple of heartbeats. He let the floor tile fall with a thunk.
It was almost comical. Percy's first good night sleep in a long, long time came after one of the most horrible days. No nightmares. No aches. No pain.
Actually, scratch the pain. He shifted awake and almost whimpered. His nervous system was sending big red flags regarding almost every inch of his body.
He raised a hand to his brow, a massive headache in play. He tried to remember exactly what happened that was making him feel this way but...his recollection of events before...he had no idea how long ago actually.
He stood, groaning. A simple mattress stashed in the corner of the room. Shiny white floor, ceiling, and walls. An open doorway with no door. He stumbled over to it and hit an invisible barrier. A soft hum-buzz sounded, barely audible. Percy blinked, pressing his hand against whatever he bumped into. Nothing but another hum-buzz.
He just stood there. Like his brain was trying to reboot itself.
Someone was calling his name from far away. "Percy. Percy. Percy!"
He blinked once more and looked around the small empty room. It sounded so real. But who was it and where was it coming from?
"Jackson." A harsh voice said. This one was very real.
He turned and found himself staring at...something? It was a yellow-skinned alien in a black exoskeleton suit. Various tubes ran throughout its frame. It had all the features of a human: a nose, mouth, red eyes; But it had no ears and a large hump stuck out of his armored back with a tube running to the genitalia. Or perhaps butt. It was hard to tell.
"Who are you?" Percy said shakily. "Where am I?"
The alien paused. He opened his mouth and a guttural sound came out. He was speaking but Percy couldn't understand a word. Percy raised his hands, "Look, I don't want any trouble. I-I don't know how I get here or what this place is."
The alien scowled and barked out a spew of what Percy assumed to be some sort of accusation. "I don't know what you're saying-" The air where the doorway was crackled. "Hey, don't come any closer! Get back!"
The alien took two paces back and two bigger ones stepped forward from the sidelines. These wore the same armor as the other guy but they meant business. Percy shouted in alarm and took a swing. They easily dodged and rammed two fists into his side. More than a couple cracks sounded as Percy was lifted into the air by the sheer force behind the blows. He slammed to the ground trying to breathe, eyes bulging. His sides were hot and wet and sticky.
Percy lay curled in a ball, gasping in air. "Please...stop! I don't know who-" He rasped. "I don't know what's going!"
The guards paused and looked at the head honcho, waiting for orders. The alien murmured something, a heavy frown decorating his face. They each grabbed an arm and hoisted him up, Percy trying hard not to break down in tears. It was so painful.
The pool of blood on the floor slowly made its way under the bed to a small crack in the floor where a bewildered Bregamar watched Temenok and his goons as they dragged Percy away.
Temenok watched Percy Jackson float around in Ferruzja's glass as it healed his entire ribcage and damaged organs. The scans showed the same results as before. Not a hint of godly blood remained in the human's body.
The warden shook his head. "I don't understand. His blood. His body. Even his brain...it's all different."
The doctor cleared his throat. "I believe this is his natural state of being. This must be how all humans are."
"Pathetic. I've never seen a more fragile sentient life form."
"That we can agree on."
Temenok stepped close to the glass...and just thought. And thought. And pondered. And swirled ideas around his head for minutes on end. Until he found the one. The doctor sensed it. "Sir?"
"How adaptive is the human's body? How much can it take before his life force is leeched away?"
The doctor stumbled over his words. "I-I'm not sure, sir. It adapted well enough to our cures and treatments, not like some other life forms in this facility. His body accepts the vaccines and is remarkably quick to fight off diseases. What do you have in mind?"
Temenok smiled.
Percy awoke once more in an all-white room.
This time he wasn't alone.
Percy sat up in his bed warily. The yellow-skinned alien sat on the floor a few feet away. So casual. Like two buddies watching tv.
"Mr. Jackson. How are you feeling?"
Percy clenched his jaw, an ever so familiar anger bubbling inside. "Peachy. Who are you and how do you know my name?"
The alien cocked his head. "You really don't remember, do you?"
"Oh, I think I'd remember a piece of work like you. Sadly, I've never seen you before in my life."
"So you don't remember breaking my neck and spine? Threatening to kill me unless I gave you a raise? Destroying my office? Nearly killing my bodyguards?"
Percy scowled. Somehow everything made sense and felt normal except for one thing. "A raise? I would never work for a scumbag like you."
"Really? So you're not at all surprised that you can understand me now? That I healed your injuries? That I know who you are?"
Percy stayed silent.
"Do you even know who you are?" The alien's gaze penetrated past his eyes to his soul. "I thought so. I'll break it down for you.
"My name is Temenok. I'm the Warden and Overseer of Colony AR-31, the facility we're in right now. My job is to employ workers from all over the galaxy to search for and mine asteroids for the Triumvirate. I also own an illegal gladiator arena built into this very vessel where the workers can fight and make some money. I broadcast these events to the galaxy of Grimbard, where we reside. For a price, of course.
"As for you...you're an outcast. A former pirate who flew with a chapter of the infamous Mekessi Angels, pillaging and raping its away throughout the galaxy. When you crash landed on Hanaku, a nearby planet I've been tasked with conquering for the Triumvirate, I took you in. Wiped your record in exchange for one thing: your blood, sweat, and tears. I'd never seen such a gifted fighter. You quickly became my champion and wreaked havoc in the arena like no one else ever has. But the glory went to your head. You greedily demanded more pay and I greedily refused. You attacked and almost killed me until my guards took you down. A little too well, I might add. It seems you've suffered severe head trauma. I locked you up in a cell for the safety of my facility. That was yesterday. Today...well, today I hope to mend our fractured business partnership. Even if I have to humble myself in this manner."
Percy took it all in, studying Temenok's face for any hint of a lie, a white lie, a shady detail that didn't really add. Nothing. It was all there.
"I've laid it all on the table for you. I have nothing to hide. I have admitted to several crimes. And I am not going to keep you here against your will. If you wish to part ways, I will happily give you a ship and coordinates to the nearest star system where you can press restart on your muddled past. It's the least I can do considering all the money I've stolen from you. But I hope it doesn't come to that."
Percy licked his dry lips. "I have no way of knowing what you're telling me is true."
Temenok shrugged. "Okay, then. What's your version of events?"
It was so convenient. Percy knew that Temenok knew he didn't remember a thing. Not one damn detail about his past. He didn't even know who taught him to speak or walk or who his parents were. Everything before waking up in this room was one big blank series of pages in the book of his life. What was true? What was not? There was no way to know. But the story made sense. Except...
"I need proof. Something. Anything to prove any of what you're saying is real."
"Of course. Here." Temenok produced a tablet and handed it over. "This is just one of your fights."
Percy pressed play and stared at the screen intently. It was definitely him. He going head-to-head against a monster three times his size. And he won. The crowd went wild. It was so strange watching himself back when he knew who he was and what his purpose was. He couldn't imagine what it was like to have a past, to have memories. But in this video, he did.
He stared at the hand Temenok was extending. "Double the money. The most luxurious suite, ship, and staff we have all yours. Women, the off day of your choice, all the glory you could ever want. All of it for just one handshake." The question was simple. The answer wasn't.
The warden gave him a full minute before retracting. He sighed and stood. "I understand. I'll have your ship ready by tomorrow. I'll even throw in some money to help you get started on your journey. For old times' sake. It was nice getting to know you Percy Jackson. It's tragic it had to end like this." He turned and began walking away.
"Wait!" Percy blurted before he could stop himself. The only person who actually knew who he was and had been was about to leave forever. He couldn't let that happen because if it did...he would never escape the prison of his own mind.
"Just give me some time, alright? It's a lot to process. I have to figure it all out."
Temenok grinned. It melted from his face as he swiveled to face Percy. "Take all the time you want. If you need anything, your A.I. assistant Siri will answer any questions you may have."
The door shut, leaving Percy locked in two prisons.
Bregamar cursed until he could curse no more.
Serakin sighed, his signature move. "Just go, brother. Leave me here. You've done all you can. Tell mom I love her and that I'm sorry."
Bregamar punched the floor. "No, fuck that! It's not over 'till its over. I just need to improvise. I-I need to talk to Percy."
"He can't remember a damn thing, Bregamar! What else is there to do?"
"Plenty! I have most of the schematics for the facility in my brain. I just need to find a way to disable your tracking chip. Or-Or orchestrate a prison riot and sneak out in the midst of the chaos. I can steal guard uniforms, we can crawl through the vents, we can steal a ship. There's so many things left to try!"
"But you want Percy."
"I want Percy. He's the perfect combination of speed and power. Durability. Battle brains. All the things I lack and we need."
Serakin grunted. "The only one naïve and desperate enough to follow you and your plan to the letter."
"Yes. I just need time."
"It sounds like you may not have enough of it. Temenok made him a promising offer. And I suspect it won't be long until Percy jumps on it."
"Yes, I suspect that, too!" He snapped. "I need to talk to him. Now. Just...stay put."
"Aw, damn it. I was just about to go for a walk, check out the prison."
Bregamar slammed the floor shut.
Serakin buried his face in his hands. "Little brother...be careful. Please."
Bregamar crawled away as fast as he could.
Percy is vulnerable right now. More than ever. No memory. No friends. No way to know what's real. Temenok got to him first but it's my turn. If anyone is a master manipulator, it's-
An absolute barrage of orange laser fire tore the next wall panel to charred smoking shreds. Bregamar crawled backwards as fast as he could but another burst of energy destroyed the panel behind him. He choked on the acrid air, eyes wider than ever before. He knew the next target was the wall he was cowering behind.
A sinister voice called out to him. "Come out, you rat! You've got to the count of three."
Bregamar stumbled out of the walls, falling on his face. He found himself nose-to-nose with a blaster. And the one at the other end was giddy with joy. "Black sugar! There you are! I was wondering where you'd gone! That cell was so cold without your," He licked his lips. "Warm body to keep it company."
A/N:
Hello fellow halfbloods! I have returned at last with a newfound inspiration to continue my baby. Sorry I've been gone so long, I've been busy at work. I moved out to Knoxville. I had a pre-20's crisis. It's been a ride. But things are finally starting to turn around for ya boy.
I had to reread my shit to even remember where I left off. Which is good because I've realized this second part of the story is a mess. However, I have no time for rewrites. I think I'll barely have time to continue updating. But we'll see. The store I work at has been busy as fuck for football season but most of the big home games are done and business will finally slow down so I should have more time.
Anyway, let me know whats up. Did I disappoint? Did I fulfill? Better, worse, whatever. Drop a favorite/review/follow and I'll see you when I see you. ;)