Yes, I'm updating quickly, the universe must be close to its end! I don't know whether I'll be able to update much more until mid/late February, perhaps I'll manage another chapter next week, but I wouldn't swear upon it. Hope you enjoy, and that you can forgive this strange itinerary I seem to be having.

PJO belongs to Rick Riordan.

Annabeth was scared for her life and terribly bemused. The mayhem on deck mirrored the turmoil in her brain. A cannonball had almost smashed her head. She hadn't quite grasped the level of danger she was in until now.

With an angry, "Take cover!" Jackson had run off yelling to his crew members under the sound of the other ship's offensive.

She was wandering aimlessly, trying to go downstairs when a firm hand pulled her to the side by her arm. It was Luke.

"Go downstairs to the captain's cabin and wait for Jason. Once the two of you are there, lock the door."

Seeing her doubt he shook his head hurriedly.

"These aren't the King's men, this is bigger than you know, or I have time to explain right now."

She nodded repeatedly and ran to the door.

Annabeth found Jason running towards her below deck. He looked reluctant to be there.

"This is cowardice," he fumed as he accompanied her to the captain's lodgings.

"We cannot fight with them!" Annabeth cried. "These men don't fight fair, Jason! They murder and harm beyond necessity."

And they're not our men we're defending, she thought plainly.

It was a compelling argument until the ship jerked to the left and the side of the room exploded. A faint salty breeze caressed Annabeth's cheek as she stood in a daze and looked around. Another ship was coming from behind them.

"We must warn them," said Jason standing up beside her.

She couldn't deny it had now become her fight too.

They ran, skiving over hurt bodies, and dodging arrows and bullets.

"Cap'!" urged Jason.

The man turned, his brow was bleeding, but his face was determined.

Jason pointed towards the other ship and Jackson swore.

Annabeth turned in a circle hoping to find some way to help. She didn't sword fight properly, not yet. She needed to use her head.

She looked ahead and saw that there was an island straight ahead, the river-ish water they were in ended abruptly and a much faster and murkier current crossed it.

"Turn right over there!" she told the captain, pointing towards the current. "If it ends in the ocean, we can escape!"

"Yes," Jason said. "You said we're the fastest ship, we can just reduce the time we spend fighting them!"

Jackson nodded and told one of the two Stoll brothers to take the wheel. She still had trouble deciding which one was which, even if not twins, they were really alike...

She caught her train of thought and focused on the task at hand. She ran after Stoll.

"Try to turn as closely as you can manage," she suggested.

He raised an eyebrow at her, it was Connor, she realised. He had a little cut under his nose.

"This boat is much lighter and quicker than the one behind. The current will push us more easily."

"And the one next to us?" he asked worriedly.

Annabeth cursed in her head. The ship beside them must've had the same idea as them, she realised. For they could also see the change in the water.

"Let's just get away from them," she said at last.

The manoeuvre was tough, and the turn was so acute she wondered how they didn't turn around by the sheer force of action. The ship next to them managed to turn, albeit in a weird way which got itself stuck between some rocks.

The one behind them wasn't so lucky. Their vision was lessened by the Blackjack, thus they couldn't see much far ahead. They tried to turn in the last minute, but, just as predicted, their weight slowed them down. With a satisfying crunch, they hit the cliff of the island.

The first ship got blocked by the wreckage of the second, giving them more than enough time to withdraw from sight.

Once away from the archipelago the captain went to find her. She was retching to the side of the ship -too much excitement for her already queasy stomach-.

"Thank you," he said. And to Annabeth's great surprise, he seemed honest. "The fight wasn't going as well as I hoped."

He gave her a cup of watered tea.

"Who were them?" she asked, for once with true politeness. "Luke said they were not the King's. They were vicious."

The captain sighed, "It's a long story. Not one I wish to worry about right now."

Annabeth wanted to tell him that considering the last thirty minutes, not wishing to worry about whoever these people were was pointless and dumb. She said nothing to keep the momentary truce they were having.

"They're my father's enemies," he explained, guessing her thoughts with a small smile. "My father and my uncles pissed off a whole bunch of dangerous people."

"Do you know which of that bunch it was this time?"

"My grandfather."

"Oh," she tried to think of something to say. "Well..."

"Awful family, right?"

"I cannot imagine family dinners being very pleasant, no."

He chuckled. She grinned.

"Does Zeus know about his father lurking in the dark corners of his kingdom's sea?" she wondered, a tad more serious.

"He likes to ignore a threat as long as possible, Uncle does," Percy shrugged. "I just hope he won't give us too much of a hard time because of Jason and you..."

"We will tell him we came willingly," she decided. "I do not think he'll care that much, really."

Percy gave her a small smile, "I did not mean you were an issue. But if Uncle's anger clouds his judgment, he will deny any action be taken against dearest grandpa."

"Jason could try and convince him," Annabeth reasoned. "After all, the man tried to kill him, and an assassination attempt to the royal family is high treason."

Percy thought for a second, then nodded.

"You might yet be useful to us," he grinned teasingly. "As long as you use your head and not your fighting skills!"

"I'll get better!" she cried in mock indignation. "I'm a quick learner."

Annabeth saw the captain smile and turn to leave, but he swayed dangerously and gripped the railing.

Annabeth's eyes widened in horror, how long had Percy been bleeding? The cut looked shallow but if untreated it could end badly.

"Let us get you patched up before you get an infection," she said strongly.

She hesitated but then took the captain by the arm and led him off the main deck.