I thought I would update more with the advent of summer, but clearly I wasn't aware of the camps and travel plans. And this story has lost some steam. I'll finish it, but unless reader response is decent, updates will be pretty slow.

As Percy woke up the next morning, he felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort at the thought of the day's events. Remembering his conversation with Major Castellan the previous day, he shuddered. The meeting with his boss better go well today, otherwise, they were done for.

He secured the laces on his military boots, stomping them against the dusty floor for good measure. Percy took a glance at his bunk, internally debating whether or not he really wanted to meet Nico again today. Obviously the answer was no, but there was no evading the meeting. It was bound to happen. After all, he had suggested it himself.

Percy grabbed himself a blueberry muffin on the way down to the training facility. He had yet to finish aviation training but was not quite sure whether he wanted to suffer through another lecture with Dr. Thorn. But, as long it didn't actually having to fly an airplane, he was safe, for now.

Deciding not to piss of Dr. Thorn again, Percy arrived in the aviation base with plenty of time to spare. The man with the anomalous eyes glared at him wordlessly, his eyes twitching once, when he took his respective seat on the hard, wooden bench of the building.

For some reason, the room reminded Percy of a sauna in its layout and heat. By the time the other recruits had filtered in, Percy had begun using her handkerchief to dab away at the beads of sweat dotting his face.

Dr. Thorn cleared his throat, droning on once more where he had left off the previous day. "The aerodynamics of the flight's wings is based on the principle of lift as I explained yesterday. The physics of it is too complicated for most of you to understand," he smirked.

"Try us," a voice came from the frame of the door. The recruits turned in surprise to see their commanding officer at their training session specifically. Major Castellan was leaning against the door, his long, imposing body casting a shadow on the ground.

"Major Castellan," Dr. Thorn cleared his throat gruffly, "We weren't expecting your company."

"I wasn't planning on it, but being in the vicinity, I thought I would stop by," but as Luke said his statement, Percy had a feeling it was directed straight at him. Luke's head was tilted slightly in his direction as he spoke. The message was hidden but clearly understood: Luke was keeping tabs on him.

"I see."

"Don't mind me. It's been a while since I've been through aerodynamics. A refresher course could help," he grinned as he slid onto the end of the bench, four people down from Percy.

Dr. Thorn resumed his theory on the force behind lift, "As I was saying the plane's wings are designed based on the purpose, each differing as a result of altitude…" The rest of his lecture took a back seat as Percy became more and more conscious of Luke's eyes trained on him.

Five minutes before the presentation was due to end, Major Castellan picked up his swagger stick and officer cap before tipping it once and leaving without a word. Periodically throughout the day, Percy saw him everywhere almost as if he was an illusion.

Maybe Percy was being paranoid and delusional, but he seriously doubted it. Major Luke Castellan was not a fool to be toyed with. When he had a hunch or suspicion, he followed through. Lunch was especially evident as Luke took the seat across from Percy.

The conversation turned to small talk regarding current affairs and other marine news. But more than anything, to the innocent bystander, Luke looked like an overfriendly commanding officer with great relations with his marines.

"So Percy, what do you think about the Marines so far?"

"It's been good. It's nice to be able to get back to shape."

"Not meaning to cause controversy here, but should I dare ask you? Which do you prefer: marines or navy?"

"It's a little too early to say." The conversation continued as such, a useless banter between the two. It was a volley of innocent questions from Luke as Percy rejoined impassively. Almost as abruptly as they had started, the questions stopped when Luke had finished his teriyaki lunch. He got up before the rest to put away his tray, "See you later, gang."

Percy's afternoon classes regarding the importance of the various type of artillery and close range weaponry. Before using any of the machine guns, pistols, or test missiles, training, as was always, was to be fully taught before the weapons could even be seen.

At approximately five, right after wrestling training, Percy found himself once more at Mrs. Arnolds's office to ask for the car keys. The old woman gave him a once over before reminding him to come back before curfew. Percy prayed to the nonexistent God that he didn't cross Luke's path on his way to the garage.

Of course, the nonexistent God didn't answer his prayers. He crept along stealthily alongside the garage sidings when he heard a low, furious voice arguing over the phone:

"No! I told you to see to it immediately. You promised me that you would look," Luke's angry, petulant voice carried over to where Percy was standing. "Look man, I don't give a f***. Get it done before you regret it."

Percy held his breath, pressing himself closer to the wall as he heard the echo of Luke's footsteps fade away. When he was certain they had passed in the opposite direction, he made a run for the car quickly, turning on the ignition almost immediately. The drive to the hospital was quicker than it had been yesterday as surprisingly, the rush hour traffic seemed to have died down.

He hadn't been lying when he had said that he had a few more forms to fill out and fill out those forms he did. Adding his signature to the last of the officially documented sheets, he made his way up to the top where Annabeth's room was located.

Her cold features remained from when he had last seen her yesterday. It was as though time had frozen for the Captain, her face not having moved in the slightest. Even the curls in her hair were exactly as he had remembered them. The only sign of life was the slight movement in her hair as the wind from the open window swept past her.

The peace in her world remained undisturbed, unaware of the malicious events unfolding around her. It remained intact as she remained motionless and lifeless. What was the word Percy was looking for? Sleeping Beauty.

He didn't want Annabeth's death to be in account of him, so he hoped her recovery was speedy. But, at the same time, he wanted to finish his job as soon as possible. The sooner the better.

Time passed quickly as he sat their reflecting about his current situation, once more trying to fathom how he had ended up in the position. The analog watch on his wrist ticked once, signaling that it was 6:30 PM, time to meet Nico.

He hurried down to the Starbucks once more where he found the man in a trench coat and fedora once more.

"You were almost late," Nico began monotonously.

"But I wasn't, di Angelo," Percy retorted just as quickly.

Nico ignored Percy's irritated tone as he continued, "He only promised you five minutes. Be quick."

Percy looked on with silent disbelief. Five minutes? What was he supposed to talk about in five minutes? It was practically useless for all intents and purposes. "What the hell am I supposed to do with it?"

"Do with it what you may," the other replied simply, shrugging his shoulders.

Before Percy could retort, the phone rang, the sharp shrill ring a contrast to the background coffeehouse music. To Percy, there was pin drop silence, nothing mattering but the ring of the incessant phone.

He held out his hand hesitantly for the phone, his voice trembling as he spoke into it, "Hello?"

"Hello Percy Jackson," a grating voice replied. "I have been eager to speak with you."

"About that…"

"Quit wasting time boy. If I hear a single protest from you, you're done for. I told Nico five minutes, but I can sum up your job in one sentence."

"That being?" Percy tugged on his collar as he spoke, the room temperature rapidly increasing.

The man on the other side of the phone let out a bone-grinding laugh. The mere sound of his laugh sounded like shrap metal against a chalkboard, "You have the nerve to speak back? Well, good for you. Listen carefully. I don't tolerate failures. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Yes, boss," the voice mimicked.

"Yes boss," Percy repeated.

"Here's the plan Jackson. Reinforcements are unnecessary. I have heard of your talents, and frankly, I'm not willing to send in more people. The more there are, the more connections that can be led back to me."

"Yes sir."

"Jackson, do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir."

"Excellent. I want you to kill him, boy. Kill."

Percy's eyes closed once when he heard the words, reopening almost instantaneously. It was just as he had anticipated and had been planning for all along.

"Jackson?" the haggard voice asked.

"Of course sir. Consider it done. He will be killed."

"Good boy. Luke Castellan shall be murdered mercilessly," Kronos chuckled darkly at the thought of the revenge he would finally inflict upon the young man who had once ruined his life.

I hope that clears some things up. Anyway, make sure to read, review, fave, follow. I'll do my best to update but it all depends. The inspiration for this story is slightly declining, but your reviews do inspire.

Those who review will get a shoutout in the next chapter, so review below in the box.

~TJ