Chapter 5: I Join the Police

We spent the rest of the day with Panaka and the Naboo scientists describing everything we could remember about Earth, our solar system, and the galaxy. The scientists ran the information through their database but were unable to find anything. They told us not to give up hope since the researchers had many probes remotely exploring the wild space past the Outer Rim, and one of them might find our system. But it looked like we weren't going home anytime soon.

The next few weeks passed very quickly. Panaka agreed to give us time to learn the written languages and customs of Naboo before getting tested to begin our official education. He warned us that we would probably be placed in lower levels with younger students. However, I think he underestimated the power of Annabeth armed with Daedalus' laptop 2.0 and a whole new galaxy worth of knowledge to explore. Plus, Annabeth refused to be behind in her education even though we were trying to cram at least twelve years of an alien curriculum. She said that her mother would disown her. I didn't dare point out that Athena wouldn't know since we seemed to be beyond the reach of the gods. I just got dragged along the "Annabeth's Crazy Education Express Ride." By the end of the month, we were fluent in both written languages used on the planet and had passed the aptitude test to become Naboo citizens.

Annabeth talked Panaka into giving us one more month to study before taking our education placement tests. Now, Earth's technology was definitely far behind that of the Naboo, but even Naboo's technology was no match for Daedalus 2.0. With her laptop, Annabeth was able to hack, or splice as the Naboo called it, undetected into the education system and access all of their exams and curriculum. Was this legal? Probably not, but Annabeth justified it by saying it was the only possible way we could get caught up, especially without an actual internet to look things up on. Daedalus 2.0 was able to streamline the process even more by removing the topics from the curriculum that we already knew or were not likely to be tested on. Now, I know you must be thinking, "But Percy, what about your less than stellar previous academic performance?" Well, it turns out that being taught in a combination of ancient Greek and Futhark made it a lot easier to learn things, even complex math and literal rocket science. Plus, you have never had Annabeth as a tutor. With her help, I was averaging a year's worth of curriculum in three days. I shuddered to think what she could accomplish if I wasn't slowing her down.

In between studying, Annabeth and I would spar with our swords to keep our skills sharp whenever Panaka wasn't around which was most of the time. Our guardian's job as Head of Security for the Royal House of Naboo kept him very busy. When he could spare a moment, he would teach us how to shoot blasters. Panaka was the slightly over paranoid military type and wanted to make sure his charges could defend themselves if we needed to. Not that he had to worry about that since Annabeth and I had been defending ourselves in deadly situations for years. We decided not to tell him the full extent of our combat skills since that would be a bit difficult to explain, and it hopefully wouldn't matter. But every once in a while, I caught him looking at me, and I wondered if he could just tell in a soldier to soldier sort of way. Annabeth, like with most things, was a natural at firing blasters. I took a lot longer, but with help from Panaka, I was able to hit the target 90% of the time. I still preferred my sword, though shooting a blaster was so much better than archery.

We took our placement exams at the end of the month. Annabeth got top marks, as expected, and had her pick of any of Naboo's schools. I surprisingly did well enough to be accepted at Theed University to study the underground ocean and unique marine life. Annabeth also chose Theed University because they had the best architecture program. Panaka was extremely surprised at the progress we managed in two months. I could also tell he was kind of proud as well. Now, there was no way Panaka was replacing my mom, my dad, or even Paul, but he was sort of like the cool big brother I never had but always wanted. Along with our formal education, we also started our mandatory community service. Annabeth volunteered at a non-profit devoted to restoring Theed's older buildings. I joined the volunteer division of the Naboo Security Forces with Panaka's blessing since I was still considered underaged.

I definitely had a weird feeling the first time I put on the Security Forces' uniform. Percy Jackson and authority figures were just two things that didn't go together, like Annabeth and spiders. In fact, I was a little worried when Panaka agreed to be our guardian, but luckily, he wasn't around enough to really be considered strict. I knew, wherever they were, the Fates were having a laugh. I, Percy Jackson, had volunteered as a law enforcer after all the time I spent running across the country from the police when I was young.

For first few weeks of service, I attended the basic training after my university classes. The training focused on hand-to-hand combat and shooting blasters. It ended with an evaluation of our skills, so we could be placed in one of the three branches: Palace Guard, Security Guard, or Naboo Royal Space Fighter Corps. During the combat part of the evaluation, I made sure to pull my punches and tried to extend the length of the fight, but I couldn't resist the temptation to end the fight using my favorite move, a slightly flashy, quick leg sweep to unbalance your opponent. Annabeth had warned me to keep my previous combat experience on the down-low, but I had to make sure I still did well enough to not get placed in the Space Fighter Corps because, Zeus or no Zeus, there was no way I was flying a spaceship.

The next day Panaka cornered me when I got back to the house. "Percy, I need to talk to you about your training evaluation."

Uh-oh that was not what I wanted to hear. I guess that's the problem when your guardian is also the Head of Security. I tried to act casual and shrugged, "Sure, what about it?"

Panaka gave me one of his deep, penetrating looks, "Your final evaluation has the best score in the volunteer division history."

Stay cool Percy, think like Annabeth. "I guess I must have a really good trainer as a guardian," I replied with a weak smile.

Panaka frowned, "I also trained the man you fought, after he had an impressive career at the Republic Special Task Force." I winced at that. "He also told me," Panaka continued, "that you were pulling your punches, you made five moves that could have ended the fight but backed off instead, and when you finally did end the fight, it was with such a quickly executed move that he is still trying to figure out how you did it." Yep, I'm busted. I knew I shouldn't have done that leg sweep, but it was just so much fun to do. Annabeth's going to kill me. But it's not completely my fault. All my training at Camp Half-Blood focused on staying alive and killing monsters as fast as possible, not how to hide your skills.

"You and Annabeth never talk about your life before the crash when I'm around, and I did not want to pry. However, no normal civilian should have been able to do what you did. I tried to respect your privacy and hoped you would open up to me one day, but now, I have to know why you are able to beat a seasoned soldier without even trying?" I bit back my snort. Yeah, 'normal' and 'civilian' were two words that definitely didn't apply to me.

I tried to think of what to say. It's not that I didn't trust Panaka. It's just that he wasn't ready to hear the whole Annabeth and I are half-gods speech. Plus, how do you even explain Greek mythology when Greece never existed here? And to be honest, I was being a little selfish. I payed a huge price to be just Percy, and I wasn't ready to give that up yet. I'll stick to half truths then. I sighed, "When I was young, I got in trouble a lot." I gave him what Annabeth calls my troublemaker smirk.

Not amused, Panaka asked "What kind of trouble? Were you a thief? Did you do drugs? Did you join a gang?"

"Why does everyone think I steal things?" I huffed. "And no, I was not a thief, I've never done drugs, and I didn't join a gang." I glanced down at my arm with the legion tattoo. On second thought the Romans might have been culty enough to be considered a gang. It's a good thing Naboo fashion included long sleeves. "Well, I didn't join a gang initially. I mainly got in trouble because I really, really don't like bullies and didn't have enough self-preservation to stop myself from going around and challenging them. Pretty soon I had some nasty people after me, so I had to get good at fighting really quickly if I wanted to survive."

"Have you ever killed someone?" Panaka questioned.

I winced thinking about the demigods who served Kronos in the Second Titan War. "Yes, but only in self-defense or when I was protecting others. Even then, I tried to just injure them," I replied.

Panaka nodded looking more relieved, "What about Annabeth?"

"She was sort of in the same situation as I was though she was a lot smarter about it, and I tended to drag her into my trouble. Honestly, I miss my parents so much and wish I could go back, but the best thing about crashing here is that Annabeth and I got a fresh start. We don't have to constantly worry about our enemies trying to kill us. Now that you know, do you want us to leave?"

Panaka smiled gently, "No, Percy I do not want you to leave. Thank you for telling me. Though I suspect you just gave me the bare minimum of your story, but I understand how painful some memories can be. Just know if you need someone to listen, I'm here. It sounds like you might not have been the best kid, but you are a good man Percy." I blushed, looked at my feet, and mumbled a thanks.

"Now, regarding your placement in the Security Forces, I won't lie. I could use your skills and prior combat experience in protecting King Veruna. You could have a prestigious career position in the Palace Guard and not just a volunteer post."

I thought about it for a second and then shook my head. "I know I should be honored and everything, that you asked me to join the most elite force on the planet, but I volunteered for the Security Forces because I want to help people, not get brought into the world of wealthy, stuffy, conniving politicians, even if that means I just help children find their lost pets because this planet is so damn peaceful."

Panaka looked like he was trying to decide whether to be angry at my disrespect to the king or to laugh. The laughter won as he said, "I think I'm starting to figure out why so many powerful people were mad at you back on your own planet." I gave him a sheepish grin. "Very well then, the Security Guard just gained a very overqualified volunteer. As a captain, I'm a little disappointed, but as your guardian, I could not be prouder." Panaka's smile faded to a frown, and then he added, "It's probably for the best anyway."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Despite my duty to serve him, I do not think that King Veruna is a good king or a good man for that matter, but it's not my place to think such thoughts," he responded. "I just hope the day doesn't come where I am forced to chose between doing my duty and doing what is right."

At that moment, Panaka reminded my so much of Jason, always trying to do his duty. "Back home, I had a friend like that, torn between his sense of duty and what he thought was right. In the end, he decided to redefine his duty so that it aligned with what his heart was telling him was right. I know your case is a little different. That's one of many reasons I try to stay away from swarmy politicians. I don't like it when someone tries to compromise my beliefs."

Panaka chuckled, "You certainly are a unique individual, Percy Jackson. I hope this galaxy lets you stay that way."

Annabeth came back later in the evening from her community service. I don't know how she does it, but she can always tell when I've done something stupid. Once Panaka went to bed, we went for a night stroll. "Okay spill, what happened?" she demanded. I told her about the conversation I had with Panaka.

When I was done, she hit the back of my head with her hand, "You are such a Seaweed Brain, but I'm proud of you."

I was shocked, "You are? Because I thought you would be really mad."

She smiled, "Well, I am mad that you didn't recognize that your opponent during the evaluation was a trained soldier and that you almost blew our cover. But, I am impressed with what you decided to tell Panaka, and you once again turned down prestige and power. Honestly, I don't know why I'm even surprised anymore. You will always be my incorrigibly incorruptible Seaweed Brain." She tilted her head up and kissed me. We didn't do much walking after that.