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Chapter 14: I Duel an Evil Dude
As we left Mos Espa, Qui-Gon set a pressing pace across the dessert to reach the ship. I caught up to him and asked, "You sensed some danger coming after us with your Force sense, didn't you? That's why you are rushing."
"Yes, I believe the Sith hunter you saw in your dream is very close."
I looked back at Anakin who had fallen behind several yards. "I'll help Ani then."
I headed back to where Anakin was. His short legs were struggling to keep up with the rest of us in the thick sand. Even Shmi was having a little trouble matching Qui-Gon's pace. Thank goodness Annabeth and I had kept up with our conditioning on Naboo. "Hey, Ani climb on, and I'll give you a ride. In case you haven't noticed, Qui-Gon's in a bit of a hurry." I moved my backpack to the front and dropped low enough for the boy to climb on my back and wrap his arms around my neck. The still healing cut on my back protested, but I just told my body to shut up. I looped my arms around Anakin's legs and started running to catch up with the rest of the group.
We were over halfway to the ship when Qui-Gon stopped suddenly. "We are not going to make it. Percy, Annabeth, get them to the ship. Tell them to take off."
"What about you?" I asked.
"I'll hold him off as long as I can. Go!"
We kept running over a dune. When we reached the other side of the giant sand pile, I heard a sound like an airplane taking off and then those laser sword sounds. I thought about how much distance we had to cover. It would take at least 10 minutes if we kept the same pace. That was a long time to hold someone off. I remembered those glowing evil eyes from my dream, and I made a decision. I put Anakin down.
"Percy, no, you heard Qui-Gon," Annabeth said looking worried.
"I have to help. I know you did the math, and how long he will have to fight," I responded stubbornly.
"He's good, Percy."
"I think so is this guy."
Annabeth bit her lip. "Then I'll stay. You can carry Anakin and go faster."
"You know I have the better weapon, Wise Girl. If anything can withstand those laser swords, it's Riptide."
"This is so stupid, Seaweed Brain. The laser sword might just cut right through Riptide."
"Riptide will hold, as long as you stop arguing and get the ship back to us quickly," I said confidently. "A kiss for luck?"
"Only if you stay alive," was her reply. She grabbed both Anakin's and Shmi's packs to help them go faster and took off sprinting.
I tightened the straps on my own pack, pulled out Riptide but left it capped, and sprinted up the dune. When I reached the top, I took stock of the fight below and was immediately glad that I had staid. Qui-Gon was on the defensive his green laser sword blocked his opponent's red one, but he was getting pushed back towards the dune I was standing on. I couldn't see much of Qui-Gon's opponent except that he was wearing a black cloak with the hood all the way up, but I assumed he was Mr. Evil Eyes in the flesh. What was his name, Darth Maw or something? His fighting style reminded me a lot of Luke's, aggressive and ruthless, like he was mad at the whole universe and didn't care who he killed. I'm not sure what was more impressive, all of his spin moves and flips, or the fact that he managed to keep his hood up while doing those fancy moves.
As I twirled Riptide between my fingers, I got an idea. It was pretty gutsy even for me. If it didn't work, I would be a fried Percy-kobob on a red laser sword. If it did work, I would probably kill another person. My stomach tightened at the thought, but that guy was definitely trying to kill Qui-Gon and would probably try and take the queen next. I would be defending a friend. Plus, as a member of the Naboo Security Force, it was my duty to protect my new home which meant this evil guy had to be stopped any way I could.
I ran or more accurately slid down the dune and stood to the side, out of the way of the fight, as I waited for the right moment. I hoped I wouldn't distract Qui-Gon who seemed like he needed all his focus just to block the red blade. But, since when have I ever gotten what I hoped for. With measured breaths, Qui-Gon managed to get out, "Percy, what are you doing? I told you to get back to the–"
He was interrupted when the Sith guy kicked him in the stomach. Qui-Gon flew back. I stepped forward and managed to get the Sith's attention. He looked exactly as he had in my dream except now I could see him in glorious HD-full color mode. The strange markings on his face were red and black, and his eyes did glow with a sickly yellow color surrounded by a red rim. I could make out what looked like a few horns on his head under his hood. Could this guy look any more like a stereotypical bad guy? I tried to look as non-threatening as possible channeling my normal teenager just chilling at the mall vibe, with a slight slouch and both hands in my pockets though one of them gripped Riptide and was ready to flip off the cap any second.
The guy just sneered with his black teeth and swung his blade with two hands aiming right for my neck. The movement was so quick that I doubt I would have been able to follow it if I was a normal mortal. But, lucky for me, I was a super hyperactive demigod pumped up on adrenaline that had been waiting for him to do exactly that. In one move, I dove forward on my knees, pulled out Riptide, and uncapped the pen. As his blade passed harmlessly over me, Riptide expanded into its full size and pierced him. It should have been a killing blow. But, the Sith shifted at the last second, and I stabbed his side instead. He hissed in pain and threw out his hand almost like a reflex. A force, or I guess the Force, slammed into me. I was thrown backwards several yards. It was a flashback to fighting Titans, and I didn't like it any better when it was a Sith that made me fly backwards. Luckily, I kept my grip on my sword.
Before Qui-Gon, who seemed too stunned to move at the moment, or I could attack the Sith again, he quickly took off his cloak and pressed his red laser sword to the bleeding wound in his side. He glared at me with such hatred and loathing as the putrid smell of burning flesh filled the hot air. He must be using the heat of his own sword to cauterize the wound and stop the bleeding. And, he barely flinched!
Qui-Gon recovered from his shock first and attacked. I have to hand it to Yellow Eyes, even though he was hurt and just burned his own skin together, he didn't move like it. I got back to right outside of the two clashing laser swords with Riptide ready, waiting to see if Qui-Gon would need any more help. In one of his fancy twirls, the Sith managed to kick Qui-Gon again. I jumped in and met his next swing with Riptide. There was a hiss when the two blades met, but Riptide held. I took advantage of the Sith's surprise (no doubt he was expecting to slice right through my metal blade) and managed to push him back. By then Qui-Gon had fully recovered and rushed Yellow Eyes. This time I followed right behind him for a full on two vs one.
Instead of retreating, the other side of the Sith's laser sword hilt ignited, and a second blade appeared. You've got to be kidding me, a double-bladed laser sword! Why did the bad guys always have the coolest weapons? After that, the real fight started. It was a series of slashes and whirls and ducks and dodges. I didn't have time to think or plan or focus on the increasing pain from the cut on my back, so I just trusted my instincts. This guy seemed a big fan of unexpected kicks, but I was able to surprise him with a few of my own crazy Greacus moves here and there. While both the Sith and Qui-Gon did fancy flips, I stuck to my signature roll under opponent's feet move. The first time I did it, Evil Dude was so surprised, I was able to get a shallow slice on his leg.
I don't know how long we had been fighting, but Riptide wasn't doing so great. Now, every time Riptide met his laser sword steam would come out of my blade. What made it even worse was that the Sith noticed it too and seemed to be trying to burn through Riptide with every strike, putting even more force into his blows and trying to lengthen the amount of time the blades were in contact.
I really didn't want to lose my trusty blade. Suddenly, I felt a familiar tug in my gut like I was using my powers, but how could I, when there was no water to manipulate, and I wasn't even trying to make any? I was just thinking about wanting to save Riptide. Then it hit me. Riptide, like me, possessed the power of the ocean. It was originally created by Pleione a daughter of Oceanus, and then Zoë Nightshade added her immortal power to it when she gave it to the douche, Hercules. The fight with the laser sword must be burning up its ocean power which was probably the real reason the red laser sword couldn't just cut right through it. The sword must have started drawing on my own power to stop the laser sword.
It had been nearly a year since I've fought while actively using my powers, and I was definitely out of practice. I felt like I was summoning a hurricane without the benefit of my opponent getting slowed down by the storm. I still managed to block the Sith's laser sword, and Riptide, thankfully, had stopped steaming. But, my movements were getting more sluggish by the second making me the recipient of even more hard kicks from the Sith.
I heard a rumble. Before I could locate the noise, one of Qui-Gon's hands flew out. He did that Force push thing and shoved me several yards away from the fight. As I pushed myself up from the sand for what felt like the millionth time, I saw our silver ship flying low towards us with the entrance ramp down. I looked back to where Qui-Gon was battling the Sith and realized he pushed me away so that I could get on the ship. The only problem was that the ship didn't seem to be landing. The edge of the ramp was hovering over 15 feet from the ground. "Go," Qui-Gon shouted.
Easy for him to say. With all the acrobatics I'd seen him and the Sith do, I figured the Jedi could make this jump in his sleep. I quickly capped Riptide and focused on my timing. When the ship got close enough that I could see Annabeth waiting for me at the top of the ramp, I sprinted a few steps and jumped for all I was worth.
I didn't completely make it. But, my hands managed to grab the edge of the ramp before I could slide off completely. I groaned as the now completely re-opened cut on my back stretched while I hung there.
"Percy!" Annabeth shouted. Her hand wrapped around my right arm trying to pull me up, but she was struggling with my weight and the wind. Suddenly, another hand grabbed my other arm. I was hauled up until I was completely on the ramp. I looked up to see Obi-Wan and Annabeth looking down with worried expressions. "Thanks," I managed to gasp out.
"Qui-Gon needs help. Now that the Sith is aware of our escape, he is doing everything to block Qui-Gon from getting on the ramp." Obi-Wan stated.
The ship was circling around Qui-Gon to give him another shot at jumping on. Obi-Wan looked like he was about to jump down there and help fight the Sith, but before he could leap off, Annabeth said, "Here I got it." She carefully laid flat on the ramp and pulled herself to the edge.
"Annabeth, what are you doing?" I asked.
"Hold my legs, just in case, Percy."
I learned long ago in situations like these you just listened to Annabeth and let her execute her plan. I kneeled down on the ramp and braced her legs as she pulled out her blaster and aimed it at the fighting figures below.
"No!" Obi-Wan shouted over the wind. "It's too risky you might hit Qui-Gon."
"I won't," Annabeth said confidently. The Sith's back was to us since he was keeping Qui-Gon away from the ship, so Annabeth fired her blaster right at it. The Sith dodged the first one, probably hoping it would hit Qui-Gon, but the Jedi used the Sith's change in direction to spin around and create more distance between them.
With a clear shot, Annabeth fired twice more. The Sith easily deflected them, but that was all the time Qui-Gon needed to leap onto the ramp, landing gently on his feet. "Show-off," I muttered. The old Jedi managed a small smile at my comment while he tried to catch his breath.
As soon as we were all safely on the ship with the entrance ramp closed tight, I sank to the floor. All the adrenaline left me, and my body was letting me know exactly how many times the evil dude had managed to kick me. Annabeth sat down next to me and gave me a you-didn't-die kiss, which in my opinion is one of the best kinds of kisses you can get. The door leading to the cockpit opened, and Anakin rushed out.
"Are you alright?" Anakin asked running to us.
"I think so," Qui-Gon replied. "Percy?" He had to loudly clear his throat and say my name again before Annabeth and I pulled away.
"Umm, yeah I'm alright," I said still a little dazed from the kiss and the fight.
"Though, someone seems out of shape if he was that out of breath just after fighting for 13 minutes. You almost missed the jump, Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said critically.
"Hey, towards the end there I had to start funneling my power into Riptide to stop it from melting, and that guy fought like a cornered demon" I huffed.
"Umm, Percy," Anakin said uncertainly, "your back seems to be bleeding a lot."
Annabeth, immediately got up, pulled me to my feet, and turned me around. I gingerly reached around and pressed where my back hurt. The fabric of my shirt was damp there, and I have a feeling it wasn't just from sweat.
"That's strange, I do not recall you getting injured on your back at all during the fight, and a lightsaber would not leave an open cut like that." Qui-Gon mused.
"No, it's from the big vampire spider at Jabba's place, that practically had swords for legs and tried to suck all of the fluids out of you." I informed the Jedi.
"No way! You fought Jabba's Sandswimmer and still made it out alive?" Anakin asked excitedly.
"I guess, if that's what the spider-thing is called."
"I told you not to split it open again," Annabeth scolded.
"Well, sorry Annabeth, I didn't think I would be dangling from a spaceship or fighting evil dudes."
"And whose fault is that? If you would have just listened to Qui-Gon–"
"I would probably be dead," Qui-Gon interrupted before Annabeth could get into full rant mode. "Though challenging a Sith, especially when you were already injured, is never a good idea. And, in the future, I would rather you not completely disregard my orders during a conflict again. But, just this once, perhaps it was a good thing you did not listen and stayed to help me. At that time and in those conditions, I do not think I could have lasted long enough on my own for the ship to reach me."
"Master, you think that being was truly a Sith?" Obi-Wan questioned.
"Yes, there is no doubt in my mind that the Sith have returned from hiding, and at least two of them are after the queen." Qui-Gon replied. "Because if young Percy's dream was right about this Sith apprentice hunting us, then I'm sure the rest of his dream is also true."
"But surly the Jedi Council would have sensed something."
"I am not sure," Qui-Gon admitted. "The power of the dark side can hide much and cloud even the Council's vision."
"What are we going to do about the bad guys after the queen?" Anakin asked.
"We shall be patient and continue to Coruscant, but first we need to get Percy to the medbay."
It turns out, no matter what universe you were in, infirmaries…medbays, whatever you wanted to call them sucked. A droid greeted me as soon as Qui-Gon and Annabeth shoved me into the cramped medbay room. It must have had x-rays for eyes or something because as soon as its yellow, flashlight, eyes looked in my direction it said in a robotic voice, "The patient is suffering from two bruised ribs and a large laceration on the back, plus several other minor bruises on torso. The recommended treatment with the current supplies provided is bacta patches on injuries and rest. The estimated time until patient release is three days."
"Nope, there is no way I'm staying here for three days just for a scratch and a few bruises." I tried to walk out of the door but Qui-Gon and Annabeth stopped me.
"You need to give your body time to heal," Qui-Gon insisted.
"It doesn't need three days," I countered. "There must be something better than these bacta patches with all of your fancy technology."
"Unfortunately, this ship is not equipped with a bacta tank, so this is the best we have."
I thought about whipping out an ambrosia square from my pack. I probably could consume one more square today without spontaneously combusting. That should heal my ribs pretty well. And, maybe, Annabeth would poor some nectar on the cut, and it would scab over again. But, I really didn't want to waste anymore of the godly food since this wasn't an emergency. "What about a bath tub or just a place I can soak in water?" I knew there was water running through the ship even though the only refreshers I used on it had the futuristic sonic showers that didn't use water.
"Even the Queen's living quarters do not have the luxury of a bath due to the limited space on this craft," Qui-Gon stated. "But, the Queen's refresher as well as the one in this medbay are equipped with water showers. However, we do have far more advanced methods for disinfecting an open wound than water."
"For me, nothing beats water." I skirted around the droid that was trying to push me on a cot and stepped into the refresher. It felt so good to be around water again after almost three days on that cursed desert planet. As soon as I stepped into the shower, my body stopped aching quite as much. Now, it wasn't nearly as nice as swimming in the ocean or even wading through the creek at Camp Half-Blood, but I felt the cut on my back slowly start to close again. The water automatically shut off after 15 minutes even though I probably could have spent all night under the warm water. I figured water usage must be regulated on the ship or something.
When I finally left the refresher feeling much more, well refreshed, than when I had entered, I found that I was alone in the medbay with just the droid. "Huh, where did Annabeth go?"
"Miss Chase and Master Jinn had to report to Her Highness, but in their absence, I have been ordered to treat your injuries and keep you in the medbay," the droid replied
"Good luck with that, Mr. Droid Doc." I made for the closed medbay doors and pressed the release button but nothing happened.
"Excuse me sir, but I have been programed to control patient release and have temporarily locked the door from inside release until you have been treated. Now please remove the article of clothing covering your torso, so I can begin treatment."
I sighed, man this droid was as persistent as the Apollo healers back at camp with none of their sunny personalities. Not really seeing a way out other than trying to bust down the door, I decided to humor the droid. Besides, being stuck in here no doubt got me out of the long and painful debriefing of all the events that happened on Tatooine.
The droid might have short circuited when it realized how far my injuries had healed in such a short time. Saying stuff like, "This result does not compute with the predictive calculations." I didn't bother trying to explain. It still went ahead and put those bacta patches on the worst injuries but said I should be able to be released tomorrow. As I waited for Annabeth and the others to come back, I couldn't help drifting off to sleep. It had been a long day.
I woke up to the hiss of the medbay door opening. Annabeth came in followed by Panaka and Qui-Gon. I saw Obi-Wan waiting in the hall since the small room was getting crowded with three people plus the Mr. Droid Doc.
"Percy, it is good to see you back and in one piece, especially after a fight with a Force-user wielding a lightsaber. How are your injuries?" Panaka asked concerned.
"They're fine," I replied. "It's really not that big of a deal. I've had worse, and besides they're mostly healed now."
"Two One Bee, is this true?" Panaka questioned the droid.
"Yes Captain, though the speed of the patient's recovery is significantly faster than my calculations predicted. Maybe, there is a glitch in my programing. The patient should be released tomorrow."
Panaka turned to Qui-Gon, "I thought you said he had bruised ribs and a nasty cut on his back? I believe injuries that serious usually require a longer recovery time."
Qui-Gon looked at me curiously as he replied, "Yes, Percy did sustain those injuries. Though I suppose he found a faster method of healing than bacta patches while we were debriefing the queen."
"A faster method than bacta patches? That's impossible without a tank," Panaka reasoned.
"Although I have only spent a few days with Percy and Annabeth, I have noticed that your charges are rather unique and seem to make us question exactly what is in the realm of possibility," Qui-Gon responded.
Panaka looked at Annabeth and I critically before focusing back on Qui-Gon. "So, they are Force-sensitives then?"
"Yes," Qui-Gon replied.
"But they are not Jedi?"
"Definitely not. Though after comparing notes, it seems they may have filled a similar role in their home world, but that the Force works a little differently there." Qui-Gon looked at Annabeth and I and gave us an encouraging nod. "I am sure you three have much to discuss, so I will give you some privacy." With that the Jedi walked out of the medbay, closing the door behind him and leaving a very large elephant in the room. I had to give it the wily old man. He must have really wanted us to tell Panaka the truth because he had effectively backed us into a figurative corner and all but forced us to come clean to Panaka.
Panaka sighed and looked at Annabeth and me before saying, "I am only going to ask this once, but I want the whole truth. I think I deserve that much."
Annabeth and I shared a look. "Yes," I said, "you do deserve the truth. But, I am warning you that you probably won't believe it. Just remember, when you want to interrupt us and tell us to stop lying and telling tall tales that if we truly did want to tell you another lie, we would at least make it a believable one."
With that, Annabeth started to tell our extremely rational guardian the truth about us or at least a brief summary including gods and monsters, quests and wars, and of course interdimensional portal travel. She even told him about our newly discovered similarities to the Force-sensitives of this universe. At certain parts, Annabeth would pause, so I would take over talking. To his credit, Panaka did not interrupt us once.
The room filled with silence when we were finally done. After another tense moment, I broke it. "So yeah, that's pretty much the highlights of Annabeth's and my past. Sorry about lying and everything, but we figured there was no way you would have believed us if we told you this eight months ago. You probably would have thought we were mentally deranged or something."
Panaka sighed and rubbed his head. "Honestly, I barely believe it now. Except for the fact that Master Jinn clearly believes you, and as you said, if you really wanted to lie, you would clearly choose a more believable story. Plus, it does explain some of your oddities I have noticed. I assumed you told Qui-Gon all of this."
Annabeth shook her head. "Not exactly. We only told him about our heritage and how we got here."
"I guess we felt like you deserved to know the real us, not just what we are and where we came from," I added. In that moment, I realized that a huge weight had been removed from my chest. It was nice to know that someone else in this universe knew the truth. Not only how we got here, but also everything we had lost. Perhaps that was the crazy, wise Jedi's intent the whole time. He knew that we just needed someone to confide in.
"Children of gods," Panaka muttered to himself and shook his head. "Thank you for trusting me with the truth. I may not be happy about it, but I do understand why you were hesitant to tell me before. Does anyone else know?"
"Nope, though I suspect Qui-Gon may be telling Obi-Wan as we speak," Annabeth answered. I shot her a confused look, and she shrugged. "On the way to see the Queen, Qui-Gon asked if he could tell his apprentice. He felt it would help Obi-Wan be less close-minded. I didn't see any harm since I figured the Jedi Council would need to know about us anyways if we wanted their help in getting home."
"Very well, but I think we should not tell anyone else about your true origins," Panaka reasoned. "It would be safer for you. Plus, I doubt anyone outside of the Jedi Order would believe it anyways."
"So, you won't tell the Queen or anyone else in Naboo's government?" I asked.
Panaka shook his head. "No, as long as you do not use these powers of yours to harm the people of Naboo, I do not see any reason to burden Her Highness."
I let out a breath that I hadn't even realized I had been holding. For a while, our discussion was a lot less serious. I demonstrated some water manipulation and showed Panaka Riptide. He marveled at how the blade just passed right through him. "This can really stop a lightsaber?" he asked. "Not many known materials can."
"Yep, if that's what those cool laser swords are called," I replied. "I don't think normal Celestial bronze would have lasted more than two blows, but luckily Riptide is special. It has its own source of water power, plus whatever magic an immortal friend of mine gave it."
"So, my drakon bone sword won't be much good against them," Annabeth remarked.
"Probably not," I agreed, "but at least it can be used to stop whoever the Hutts send at us when we go back to Tatooine."
"Ah yes, about that," Panaka interjected. "I know you made some unbreakable oath to free the slaves on Tatooine, but as long as you are in my custody, you will not go around challenging one of the most dangerous clans in the galaxy."
"What? That means I have to wait over three whole years!"
"Cheer up, Seaweed Brain, we can use that time to brush up on some needed skills and come up with a plan worthy of my mom, plus several backup plans," Annabeth stated.
"I will do everything I can to help you prepare," Panaka added. "Even if it is an impossible mission, I want to give you every opportunity you have to succeed, including time. So, do I have your word that you will wait?"
Annabeth and I both agreed, though I was a little upset that we would have to wait so many years. Before he left, Panaka informed us that it would take five days to reach Coruscant. I was not looking forward to being stuck on a spaceship for that long, but at least I could get out of this medbay tomorrow.
Later that evening, Padmé, Shmi, and Anakin came in to eat dinner with us since I was stuck in mebay-arrest. After I ensured Anakin that I was fine, he excitedly told me about visiting the queen and getting to see the cockpit. One of the nicer pilots even started showing him the controls. Padmé thanked me for my bravery in facing the Sith, and Annabeth jokingly pleaded, "Please Padmé, don't encourage his foolish and rash behavior."
Anakin looked at me a little wistfully, and I had a feeling he wished Padmé was praising him for his bravery. I suspected the boy had developed a bit of a crush on the handmaiden. Piper would have found the whole thing adorable. I just wished the boy would have a much simpler love life than me. My thoughts were interrupted when Anakin asked, "Percy, how were you able to fight the Sith? I thought only Jedi could fight Siths. Are you and Annabeth Jedi too?" Before I could even answer his questions, he frowned and shook his head. "But you don't act like a Jedi."
I laughed. "No definitely not a Jedi, thank goodness. As for fighting evil dudes, unfortunately, I've had to do a lot of that for the past five years."
At Padmé's confused look Annabeth gave a more technical explanation. "It turns out that Percy and I are Force-sensitives though we are a little different from the ones in this galaxy and didn't even know what the Force was until last night. We come from a place very far away from here where the Force works differently, and there aren't any Jedi or Sith. But, it's still very dangerous for us, so Percy and I had to learn how to defend ourselves a long time ago. We sort of got here by accident, and no one knows how to get us back home," she added for Anakin and Shmi's sake.
Anakin was still looking at me a little puzzled. "Percy, do you not like the Jedi? You sort of make a funny face every time I bring them up." Annabeth laughed at that.
"Uhh, it's kind of complicated," I told the boy. "Let's just say I have mixed feelings about them. I get that they defend peace and justice and all that really good stuff, and I am a huge fan of those lightsaber things. But, at the same time, they seem way too strict and a little arrogant based on what Qui-Gon's told me and my observations. It's too early for me to judge them, but they seem stuck in tradition and close-minded and way too serious. Like Obi-Wan, that guy really needs to learn to live a little. Would it kill him to smile a little more? I think that's going to be my goal while I'm stuck on this ship the next five days, just so I don't die of boredom."
Before they left, Shmi told us that the Queen had made her and Anakin honorary citizens of Naboo and that when everything was back to normal she would probably settle on the planet. While I was happy to hear this, I didn't like the idea that she and Anakin had to be separated. After all the things that kept me away from my own mom, like boarding schools, my uncle kidnapping her, my aunt kidnapping me etc., I didn't think children should be separated from their parents. I wondered if it was another one of those crazy traditions of the Jedi.
I was startled awake an hour or so after the night cycle started. I instinctively drew Riptide, and I could hear Annabeth reaching for her blaster on the other uncomfortable hospital cot next to mine. There was a gasp, and in the light of my glowing sword, I saw a small, familiar, blond head. Annabeth and I both relaxed, and she switched on one of the lights.
"Wow, Percy! That's a cool sword! What is it made out of?"
"Umm, Celestial bronze," I said, my mind still trying to process the fact that I was up and also not getting attacked. "It's that same material as those wires Annabeth gave you for the pod. What are you doing up Ani? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"I couldn't fall asleep, and I really didn't want to end up waking my mom. After everything that happened today she was really tired, and she looked so peaceful sleeping. I'm really sorry if I woke you and Annabeth up, but I didn't know where else to go."
I wanted to tell the boy that I had a rough day too and was tired and actually sleeping peacefully for a change. But, it was hard to stay mad at the kid after he said that last part with this lost look on his face. Instead, I scooched over on my cot and patted a spot next to me. "Well, then I guess you might as well come sit up here and tell me what's on your mind."
After he got settled on the cot, he said, "I just hope C-3PO will be okay. I didn't mean to leave him all alone, but there wasn't really any time to disassemble him or even room to pack him up. I didn't even have time to say bye to Kinster."
Hmm, not getting a chance to say goodbye, that was something I could definitely relate to. "C-3PO will be fine. You did a good job building him, so he will probably find a good home. As for Kinster, I'm sure he will understand, but if it makes you feel better, maybe I could send him a message from you once things on Naboo settle down."
"That's a good idea! And, you're really going to go back to Tatooine to free him, right?"
"Yep, though it's going to take a few extra years. Panaka's enforcing his legal guardianship, so we can't leave for Tatooine again until I turn 21. Do you feel better now?"
Anakin shrugged, "I guess so. Hey Percy?"
"Hmm?"
"Could you tell me those stories about your stars from home?"
"Oh, sure I guess." I started trying to think of a good one to tell and settled on my namesake. "A long time ago there was this boy named Perseus, and he really had rotten luck."
"Perseus! That sounds a lot like your name," Anakin exclaimed.
Annabeth couldn't help herself. She started laughing but still managed to get out, "That's because it is."
"What do you mean? I thought his name was Percy," Anakin asked, confused.
"My full name is Perseus. I'm sort of named after the guy I was telling you about. But Perseus is kind of a mouthful, so I really rather people just call me Percy," I told him. Oh well the cat's out of the bag now. I liked that no one in this universe knew my full name, hopefully the info wouldn't spread too far. I didn't miss monsters or angry immortals using it right before they tried to kill me.
"Like how everyone calls me Ani even though my whole name is Anakin?"
"Yes, exactly," I replied. "Now, no more interruptions if you want me to finish the story." As I started up again, Annabeth turned off the lights. She must have put Daedalus 2.0 into projection mode because the constellation Perseus appeared on the ceiling. It switched whenever I mentioned one of the other constellations related to the story, like Pegasus, Cepheus, Cassiopeia, and Andromeda.
When I was done, Anakin murmured tiredly, "Thanks for the story, Percy," and was out before I could tell him no problem. I was too tired to try and move the boy back to wherever he was supposed to be sleeping. My last thought as I drifted off to sleep was that this was what it must be like to have a little brother, something I had always wanted. Now, don't get me wrong, I loved my brother Tyson and often felt like I had to watch out for the big guy, like a big brother would. But, the one problem with having a cyclops as a baby brother – he wasn't exactly little.