Table of Contents3
“Sidetracked?! It’s been eight hours! The docks are a warzone. One of the Amazons’ rival gangs got wind of what they thought was an arms deal going down and they showed up. It turned into a three way firefight, and at some point the entire warehouse went up in flames. Damnedest thing. You could see it from mile away. It’s still burning, actually. I take it you had something to do with that?”
“Sidetracked?! It’s been eight hours! The docks are a warzone. One of the Amazons’ rival gangs got wind of what they thought was an arms deal going down and they showed up. It turned into a three way firefight, and at some point the entire warehouse went up in flames. Damnedest thing. You could see it from mile away. It’s still burning, actually. I take it you had something to do with that?”9
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hades is not going to let me land a police helicopter on the roof of his club. What are you doing over there anyway? And where are we going?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hades is not going to let me land a police helicopter on the roof of his club. What are you doing over there anyway? And where are we going?”10
“It’ll be fine, I’ve already cleared it with the Lord of Darkness. I know the original plan was to use the helicopter to pull us out of the frying pan, but I’m going to need to you to drop me into the fire.”
“It’ll be fine, I’ve already cleared it with the Lord of Darkness. I know the original plan was to use the helicopter to pull us out of the frying pan, but I’m going to need to you to drop me into the fire.”13
“What’s in the bags?” the detective yelled over the sound of the helicopter blades, as Jason loaded two big duffel bags into the vehicle.
“What’s in the bags?” the detective yelled over the sound of the helicopter blades, as Jason loaded two big duffel bags into the vehicle.14
“You don’t want to know,” Jason shouted back. He and Medea were both still in their borrowed Colchis uniforms.
“You don’t want to know,” Jason shouted back. He and Medea were both still in their borrowed Colchis uniforms.15
“I didn’t realize there was a dress code,” Theseus joked. He, as always wore a pair of worn khakis, a short sleeve white button down short with the thin brown vertical stripes and a non-matching thin red necktie. He pulled a cigarette from his breast pocket and reached for his light.
“I didn’t realize there was a dress code,” Theseus joked. He, as always wore a pair of worn khakis, a short sleeve white button down short with the thin brown vertical stripes and a non-matching thin red necktie. He pulled a cigarette from his breast pocket and reached for his light.16
Jason grabbed it from Theseus’ mouth and tossed it to the ground before he could light it. “That wouldn’t be a good idea right now,” he told the cop, his eyes darting meaningfully to the two duffel bags.
Jason grabbed it from Theseus’ mouth and tossed it to the ground before he could light it. “That wouldn’t be a good idea right now,” he told the cop, his eyes darting meaningfully to the two duffel bags.18
“I talked to Argos. Percy and B-phone are down by the docks with him, trying to keep the peace. Orpheus is downstairs. The twins are at OLI, upgrading the security of the Fleece vault. It’s just the three of us.”
“I talked to Argos. Percy and B-phone are down by the docks with him, trying to keep the peace. Orpheus is downstairs. The twins are at OLI, upgrading the security of the Fleece vault. It’s just the three of us.”19
Jason turned to Medea. “I know I sound like a broken record here, but this is going to be extremely dangerous.”
Jason turned to Medea. “I know I sound like a broken record here, but this is going to be extremely dangerous.”21
“No, let me finish. This is going to be really dangerous and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have in the thick of it with me than you.”
“No, let me finish. This is going to be really dangerous and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have in the thick of it with me than you.”23
“After all of this is over,” Jason whispered quietly, not wanting Theseus to overhear, “there might be an invitation in the New Olympus Heroes Union waiting for you. I don’t know if that will conflict with your nunly duties at all.”
“After all of this is over,” Jason whispered quietly, not wanting Theseus to overhear, “there might be an invitation in the New Olympus Heroes Union waiting for you. I don’t know if that will conflict with your nunly duties at all.”24
“I thought I told you—nunly isn’t a word.” They kissed again. Medea pulled back, pausing to think for a second. “This has nothing to do with you not wanting to leave me alone with the Fleece, does it?”
“I thought I told you—nunly isn’t a word.” They kissed again. Medea pulled back, pausing to think for a second. “This has nothing to do with you not wanting to leave me alone with the Fleece, does it?”25
“The thought hadn’t crossed my mind,” Jason responded quickly. He gave her a friendly slap on the rear. “Let’s get to work.”
“The thought hadn’t crossed my mind,” Jason responded quickly. He gave her a friendly slap on the rear. “Let’s get to work.”27
“That’s why Orpheus is here.” The musician had finally awoken and had returned to the scene of his musical battle the night before. If the dragon was babysitting the Fleece, Orpheus was babysitting the dragon, strumming his guitar to a one-lizard audience. Hades had assured everyone involved that the Sirens had taken the night off.
“That’s why Orpheus is here.” The musician had finally awoken and had returned to the scene of his musical battle the night before. If the dragon was babysitting the Fleece, Orpheus was babysitting the dragon, strumming his guitar to a one-lizard audience. Hades had assured everyone involved that the Sirens had taken the night off.28
They boarded the helicopter and took off. They headed back down the Styx River and into the Bay of Poseidon. As they approached the Sword of Ares barge, they saw the entire ship was still lit up like a Christmas tree.
They boarded the helicopter and took off. They headed back down the Styx River and into the Bay of Poseidon. As they approached the Sword of Ares barge, they saw the entire ship was still lit up like a Christmas tree.32
“We don’t need to sink it. We set one batch in the engine room and cripple their navigational abilities. The other batch goes in their manufacturing center. That takes their weapons out of play.” Jason pointed at the billowing smoke stack in the distance. “It’s not an exhaust port or a big red self-destruct button, but it’s the best we’ve got.
“We don’t need to sink it. We set one batch in the engine room and cripple their navigational abilities. The other batch goes in their manufacturing center. That takes their weapons out of play.” Jason pointed at the billowing smoke stack in the distance. “It’s not an exhaust port or a big red self-destruct button, but it’s the best we’ve got.33
“Take us in on the dark side of the ship, away from the Grove,” Medea told Theseus. “There will be a better chance we won’t be noticed right away.”
“Take us in on the dark side of the ship, away from the Grove,” Medea told Theseus. “There will be a better chance we won’t be noticed right away.”34
Theseus circled around to the other side of the barge, keeping his distance so as not to be seen.
Theseus circled around to the other side of the barge, keeping his distance so as not to be seen.35
“Be careful getting off the copter,” Jason warned Medea as they approached the quiet side of the ship. “Those charges aren’t exactly stable, and we’re going to have to move quickly so Theseus can get away.” Medea nodded. The pair strapped on Kevlar vests. Jason handed her a pistol.
“Be careful getting off the copter,” Jason warned Medea as they approached the quiet side of the ship. “Those charges aren’t exactly stable, and we’re going to have to move quickly so Theseus can get away.” Medea nodded. The pair strapped on Kevlar vests. Jason handed her a pistol.40
“You too.” He steadied himself and jumped the short distance from the helicopter to the deck of the barge. Medea handed down the two duffel bags and then leapt to the deck herself.
“You too.” He steadied himself and jumped the short distance from the helicopter to the deck of the barge. Medea handed down the two duffel bags and then leapt to the deck herself.41
“If you find Herk and Atlanta, tell them to meet us back here in ten minutes.” Medea nodded, and then dashed off into the night.
“If you find Herk and Atlanta, tell them to meet us back here in ten minutes.” Medea nodded, and then dashed off into the night.42
Jason rushed off in the other direction, toward the barge’s manufacturing center. The entire barge city seemed to be in a state of emergency; Herk and Atlanta must have caused some damage while he was gone. In the distance, he saw several fires burning. People rushed by him, not stopping or noticing that he wasn’t with Colchis (those uniforms really did come in handy). To his right, the sound of automatic gunfire rippled through the air. To his left were incomprehensible screams. He’d only been gone for about an hour—how could two people have done so much damage in that short amount of time? Then again, he’d seen Herk cause some epic destruction in the past.
Jason rushed off in the other direction, toward the barge’s manufacturing center. The entire barge city seemed to be in a state of emergency; Herk and Atlanta must have caused some damage while he was gone. In the distance, he saw several fires burning. People rushed by him, not stopping or noticing that he wasn’t with Colchis (those uniforms really did come in handy). To his right, the sound of automatic gunfire rippled through the air. To his left were incomprehensible screams. He’d only been gone for about an hour—how could two people have done so much damage in that short amount of time? Then again, he’d seen Herk cause some epic destruction in the past.43
There was a snarl and at his periphery, Jason saw the now only too familiar flaming nostrils of one of Aetes’ bronze bulls. The bull dropped its head and charged the hero. Jason froze; there was not enough room for him to get out of the way. He was seconds away from being mauled when a giant shadow fell on the scene, collapsed on top of the bull and wrestled it to the ground.
There was a snarl and at his periphery, Jason saw the now only too familiar flaming nostrils of one of Aetes’ bronze bulls. The bull dropped its head and charged the hero. Jason froze; there was not enough room for him to get out of the way. He was seconds away from being mauled when a giant shadow fell on the scene, collapsed on top of the bull and wrestled it to the ground.44
It was Herk. The strongman was still naked to the waist and his bare torso was black with soot. He looked like he had been rolling around in ashes. “Nice to see you again, boss,” Herk told Jason as he wrapped his huge arms around the bull’s neck and struggled to overpower the bronze beast. “I’ve been keeping busy.” The bull got up on its feet and charged into and through the wall of one of the adjoining buildings with Herk on its back. They left a comically shaped hole in the wall behind them.
It was Herk. The strongman was still naked to the waist and his bare torso was black with soot. He looked like he had been rolling around in ashes. “Nice to see you again, boss,” Herk told Jason as he wrapped his huge arms around the bull’s neck and struggled to overpower the bronze beast. “I’ve been keeping busy.” The bull got up on its feet and charged into and through the wall of one of the adjoining buildings with Herk on its back. They left a comically shaped hole in the wall behind them.45
“You ok in there, Herk?” Jason called after them. Herk looked dazed but ok. The bull was in similar shape, and it seemed as if it had gotten its horns stuck in one of the interior walls. “How many times have you done that tonight?” he asked.
“You ok in there, Herk?” Jason called after them. Herk looked dazed but ok. The bull was in similar shape, and it seemed as if it had gotten its horns stuck in one of the interior walls. “How many times have you done that tonight?” he asked.46
Herk tried counting on his fingers but got confused after three. “Are there little birdies floating around my head, Jason?”
Herk tried counting on his fingers but got confused after three. “Are there little birdies floating around my head, Jason?”47
“Of course there are,” he lied. “Now do you want to come blow some stuff up with me or do you want to tango with your friend over there some more?” Jason offered his hand to his friend and helped him to his feet.
“Of course there are,” he lied. “Now do you want to come blow some stuff up with me or do you want to tango with your friend over there some more?” Jason offered his hand to his friend and helped him to his feet.50
As the duo continued on the path to the barge’s weapon’s factory, Jason noticed more than one stray animal wandering the deck of the ship.
As the duo continued on the path to the barge’s weapon’s factory, Jason noticed more than one stray animal wandering the deck of the ship.52
“Well,” Herk started, still clearing cobwebs from his muddled head, “I thought the best way to get out of the Grove undetected was to let everything else out too. My buddy the bull helped, though I think he thought he was trying to kill me at the time. Probably a misunderstanding.”
“Well,” Herk started, still clearing cobwebs from his muddled head, “I thought the best way to get out of the Grove undetected was to let everything else out too. My buddy the bull helped, though I think he thought he was trying to kill me at the time. Probably a misunderstanding.”55
Jason patted his partner on the back, still laughing. “You did good, Herk.” If the creatures of the Grove were, in fact, Aetes’ prized possessions, scattering them across the deck of the barge was the best way to cause mass chaos on the ship. Many of the animals that lived in the Grove were dangerous, but Jason guessed Aetes had ordered them brought in alive. Aetes’ things were more important than Aetes’ people.
Jason patted his partner on the back, still laughing. “You did good, Herk.” If the creatures of the Grove were, in fact, Aetes’ prized possessions, scattering them across the deck of the barge was the best way to cause mass chaos on the ship. Many of the animals that lived in the Grove were dangerous, but Jason guessed Aetes had ordered them brought in alive. Aetes’ things were more important than Aetes’ people.56
Three Artemisian stags frolicked by followed by five soldiers with nets instead of guns, punctuating the point.
Three Artemisian stags frolicked by followed by five soldiers with nets instead of guns, punctuating the point.58
“Shit. Thanks, man,” the guard responded. “Wait, who are you?” But Jason and Herk had already ducked down an alley and around the corner.
“Shit. Thanks, man,” the guard responded. “Wait, who are you?” But Jason and Herk had already ducked down an alley and around the corner.59
The heroes came to the manufacturing center. Jason jiggled the handle. Locked. “I’ve got a lock pick in the bag somewhere.”
The heroes came to the manufacturing center. Jason jiggled the handle. Locked. “I’ve got a lock pick in the bag somewhere.”60
“I’ve got your lock pick right here.” Herk took a step back and kicked the door in, splintering it to pieces.
“I’ve got your lock pick right here.” Herk took a step back and kicked the door in, splintering it to pieces.61
The factory had shut down for the night and the assembly lines had gone still. Much like the warehouse on land, the room was stocked full of crates of weapons in various stages of completion.
The factory had shut down for the night and the assembly lines had gone still. Much like the warehouse on land, the room was stocked full of crates of weapons in various stages of completion.62
“Hey, look at this.” Herk had discovered Colchis’ supply of powder. “This will certainly make this a little more spectacular.” Herk bashed open the container, letting the dark, deadly beads spill onto the floor.
“Hey, look at this.” Herk had discovered Colchis’ supply of powder. “This will certainly make this a little more spectacular.” Herk bashed open the container, letting the dark, deadly beads spill onto the floor.63
The entire barge shook violently. Jason ran back outside and saw flames rising from the other end of the ship. It looked like Medea had completed her half of the plan. Hopefully she wasn’t injured in the blast. The hero went back inside, where Herk was being a true instrument of disaster. He’d spread the explosive charges across the room and was wiring them to the detonator. He handed Jason the long spool of cord attached to the detonator and motioned for him to run it outside. There was enough slack on the cord that Jason was able to get a full building away. He worried that it wouldn’t be enough.
The entire barge shook violently. Jason ran back outside and saw flames rising from the other end of the ship. It looked like Medea had completed her half of the plan. Hopefully she wasn’t injured in the blast. The hero went back inside, where Herk was being a true instrument of disaster. He’d spread the explosive charges across the room and was wiring them to the detonator. He handed Jason the long spool of cord attached to the detonator and motioned for him to run it outside. There was enough slack on the cord that Jason was able to get a full building away. He worried that it wouldn’t be enough.64
Herk dashed out of the building. “There’s no timer on this, so we need to hit the switch and then run our asses off. There’s not very much in the factory that isn’t flammable.”
Herk dashed out of the building. “There’s no timer on this, so we need to hit the switch and then run our asses off. There’s not very much in the factory that isn’t flammable.”65
Jason took a very deep breath and closed his eyes, his hands resting on the detonator trigger. It was now or never. He hit the trigger and took off toward one of the neighboring buildings with Herk at his side. The first explosion went off, starting a chain reaction. Jason was thrown forward by the force of the blast and fell to the ground. Herk managed to somehow keep his feet. He snatched Jason off the ground and tossed him to safety.
Jason took a very deep breath and closed his eyes, his hands resting on the detonator trigger. It was now or never. He hit the trigger and took off toward one of the neighboring buildings with Herk at his side. The first explosion went off, starting a chain reaction. Jason was thrown forward by the force of the blast and fell to the ground. Herk managed to somehow keep his feet. He snatched Jason off the ground and tossed him to safety.66
The entire barge shuddered as the factory went up in flames. Jason couldn’t tell if it was because he was closer to this explosion, but it seemed a lot more powerful than the one Medea had set off. Several more aftershocks rippled through the area and the heat was getting unbearable. They had to find Atlanta and get back to the rendezvous point.
The entire barge shuddered as the factory went up in flames. Jason couldn’t tell if it was because he was closer to this explosion, but it seemed a lot more powerful than the one Medea had set off. Several more aftershocks rippled through the area and the heat was getting unbearable. They had to find Atlanta and get back to the rendezvous point.67
The heroes ran back through the barge-city streets. If the scene had been chaotic before, it was now approaching full entropy. The barge lurched and the ground underneath the men shifted.
The heroes ran back through the barge-city streets. If the scene had been chaotic before, it was now approaching full entropy. The barge lurched and the ground underneath the men shifted.68
“I think the barge may actually be sinking,” Jason commented incredulously. “So much for fine Colchian engineering. Where did you last see Atlanta?”
“I think the barge may actually be sinking,” Jason commented incredulously. “So much for fine Colchian engineering. Where did you last see Atlanta?”70
Claxons began to blare and red emergency lights went off across the barge. “Attention, all personnel. Please follow emergency evacuation procedure alpha one gamma. Abandon ship. Repeat, abandon ship, and report to the lifeboats.”
Claxons began to blare and red emergency lights went off across the barge. “Attention, all personnel. Please follow emergency evacuation procedure alpha one gamma. Abandon ship. Repeat, abandon ship, and report to the lifeboats.”71
All around them, men and woman frantically raced from their buildings to nearby rafts. Jason and Herk might as well have been ghosts. The duo moved across the barge methodically, taking a roundabout route to the rendezvous point, hoping to spot Atlanta along the way. They neared the grove, its doors now wide open, yet one lone guard stood as sentinel over the ruined arboretum. A duck wandered aimlessly in front of him. The guard made no motion toward his weapon as he saw the two heroes approach.
All around them, men and woman frantically raced from their buildings to nearby rafts. Jason and Herk might as well have been ghosts. The duo moved across the barge methodically, taking a roundabout route to the rendezvous point, hoping to spot Atlanta along the way. They neared the grove, its doors now wide open, yet one lone guard stood as sentinel over the ruined arboretum. A duck wandered aimlessly in front of him. The guard made no motion toward his weapon as he saw the two heroes approach.74
Jason heard the click of a pistol cocking as he turned around to face Aetes. The Baron of Colchis was not alone. He had Atlanta by the throat, with the cocked pistol pressed against her temple. The cool, calculating demeanor Aetes had exhibited earlier in the day was long gone. All that remained was unbridled rage.
Jason heard the click of a pistol cocking as he turned around to face Aetes. The Baron of Colchis was not alone. He had Atlanta by the throat, with the cocked pistol pressed against her temple. The cool, calculating demeanor Aetes had exhibited earlier in the day was long gone. All that remained was unbridled rage.75
“Do you realize what you have done?” he said through gritted teeth. “Do you realize the years of my life you have undone tonight?”
“Do you realize what you have done?” he said through gritted teeth. “Do you realize the years of my life you have undone tonight?”76
“New Olympus is our city,” Jason replied simply. “You should have known better than to come here and kill my people.”
“New Olympus is our city,” Jason replied simply. “You should have known better than to come here and kill my people.”77
“You will not make it off this ship alive,” Aetes swore, pressing the pistol harder against the heroine’s head. “I am going to kill your friend and then I’m going to kill the both of you. Then I am going to get the Fleece back and turn your pathetic little city to rubble.”
“You will not make it off this ship alive,” Aetes swore, pressing the pistol harder against the heroine’s head. “I am going to kill your friend and then I’m going to kill the both of you. Then I am going to get the Fleece back and turn your pathetic little city to rubble.”78
“The Fleece is beyond your control now, Aetes. Killing any of us won’t change that. Give it up. What were you thinking, trying to awaken sleeping gods?”
“The Fleece is beyond your control now, Aetes. Killing any of us won’t change that. Give it up. What were you thinking, trying to awaken sleeping gods?”81
The military man looked genuinely confused. “The Fleece is a license to print money and the rarest of rare specimens. I would give the Fleece all it deserves: a life of luxury and decadence. Not a sad existence in a vault in the basement of Olympus Lightning. I could not bear to give the blessed beast a paper cut, much less sacrifice it in the name of some outmoded and fanatical religious construct.”
The military man looked genuinely confused. “The Fleece is a license to print money and the rarest of rare specimens. I would give the Fleece all it deserves: a life of luxury and decadence. Not a sad existence in a vault in the basement of Olympus Lightning. I could not bear to give the blessed beast a paper cut, much less sacrifice it in the name of some outmoded and fanatical religious construct.”82
And so it really had been about the money all along. Sometimes the simplest answer was the truest.
And so it really had been about the money all along. Sometimes the simplest answer was the truest.83
“I don’t know where you got that ridiculous idea,” Aetes continued, “but I’ve had about enough pissing around. If you have any last words for Blondie, now is the time to say them.”
“I don’t know where you got that ridiculous idea,” Aetes continued, “but I’ve had about enough pissing around. If you have any last words for Blondie, now is the time to say them.”84
Before Jason could say anything, the horrible sound of a gun firing rang out, filling the air. The gun fell from Aetes’ hand and dropped to the floor of the ship. He fell a moment later, landing lifeless on the ground, blood streaming from the back of his head. Standing behind him, gun still raised, was Medea. Her face was a mask of steely determination.
Before Jason could say anything, the horrible sound of a gun firing rang out, filling the air. The gun fell from Aetes’ hand and dropped to the floor of the ship. He fell a moment later, landing lifeless on the ground, blood streaming from the back of his head. Standing behind him, gun still raised, was Medea. Her face was a mask of steely determination.85
She slowly lowered the gun as Jason approached and caught her in a bear hug. Herk ran to Atlanta’s side but she pushed him aside, unwilling to show any vulnerability.
She slowly lowered the gun as Jason approached and caught her in a bear hug. Herk ran to Atlanta’s side but she pushed him aside, unwilling to show any vulnerability.86
“I’m ok,” Medea told Jason. “I’ve thought about doing that since I was a teenager. That man stopped being my father years ago.”
“I’m ok,” Medea told Jason. “I’ve thought about doing that since I was a teenager. That man stopped being my father years ago.”87
“You save our asses again,” he noted. He grabbed his phone and dialed Theseus. “We’re all done here,” he told the detective. “Come get us.”
“You save our asses again,” he noted. He grabbed his phone and dialed Theseus. “We’re all done here,” he told the detective. “Come get us.”88
“No can do, Jason,” Theseus reported back. “The fires are picking up all across the ship. I don’t think I can get close enough to extract you. Your best bet is to try and get on one of the rafts and get away from that sinking fireball. I can pick everyone up once you’re a safe distance from the barge.”
“No can do, Jason,” Theseus reported back. “The fires are picking up all across the ship. I don’t think I can get close enough to extract you. Your best bet is to try and get on one of the rafts and get away from that sinking fireball. I can pick everyone up once you’re a safe distance from the barge.”91
“I’ll call you back, Theseus.” He hung up the phone. “What should we do with him?” he asked her. “Are you really ok with just leaving him here like this?”
“I’ll call you back, Theseus.” He hung up the phone. “What should we do with him?” he asked her. “Are you really ok with just leaving him here like this?”92
Medea stared coldly at the corpse of her father. “Let him burn with his empire,” she said. She turned and walked away, pausing only to ask the heroes if they were coming or not. The lone guard continued to stand guard over the Grove. He couldn’t have been much older than twenty. He had his weapon drawn but didn’t look like he knew what to do with it.
Medea stared coldly at the corpse of her father. “Let him burn with his empire,” she said. She turned and walked away, pausing only to ask the heroes if they were coming or not. The lone guard continued to stand guard over the Grove. He couldn’t have been much older than twenty. He had his weapon drawn but didn’t look like he knew what to do with it.93
“Look, kid,” Jason told him. “I don’t know what your orders were, but they died with your boss over there. I’d suggest you find a way off this boat while some of it is still above water.”
“Look, kid,” Jason told him. “I don’t know what your orders were, but they died with your boss over there. I’d suggest you find a way off this boat while some of it is still above water.”95
“There’s a whole world out there that doesn’t involve burning to death or drowning, so I think you’ve get plenty of options. Now get out of here.”
“There’s a whole world out there that doesn’t involve burning to death or drowning, so I think you’ve get plenty of options. Now get out of here.”96
The guard took another long look at Aetes’ body, still unsure. Finally, he holstered his weapon and wandered off into the fiery night.
The guard took another long look at Aetes’ body, still unsure. Finally, he holstered his weapon and wandered off into the fiery night.97
The fires were spreading, and so the heroes had to take a roundabout path to Medea’s boat, dodging flames and falling buildings along the way. The barge was mostly abandoned—everyone else had already finished evacuating.
The fires were spreading, and so the heroes had to take a roundabout path to Medea’s boat, dodging flames and falling buildings along the way. The barge was mostly abandoned—everyone else had already finished evacuating.99
Before Herk could respond, Jason chimed in. “He had a contest to see which one of them had the harder head. I’m still not sure which won: bronze or solid rock?”
Before Herk could respond, Jason chimed in. “He had a contest to see which one of them had the harder head. I’m still not sure which won: bronze or solid rock?”105
“Unfortunately for it, the finish line was just past the edge of the ship deck. I hope it knows how to swim.”
“Unfortunately for it, the finish line was just past the edge of the ship deck. I hope it knows how to swim.”109
“Focus, you two,” Jason told them as another structure collapsed nearby them. He jogged up to Medea’s side. “Are you sure we’re going the right way?” he asked. “I feel like we’ve run by this burning building once already.”
“Focus, you two,” Jason told them as another structure collapsed nearby them. He jogged up to Medea’s side. “Are you sure we’re going the right way?” he asked. “I feel like we’ve run by this burning building once already.”115
“I’m just asking because you did just shoot your father in the head back there and you seemed a lot more ok with it than you were after you shot Talos last night.”
“I’m just asking because you did just shoot your father in the head back there and you seemed a lot more ok with it than you were after you shot Talos last night.”116
“My goddess brings me inner peace,” she told him. “Hecate will provide.” She seemed so sure of herself. She surveyed the scene, trying to discern the correct route. “I think the boat is right over here.”
“My goddess brings me inner peace,” she told him. “Hecate will provide.” She seemed so sure of herself. She surveyed the scene, trying to discern the correct route. “I think the boat is right over here.”117
“How are you so sure it’s still here? This entire ship just evacuated. Anyone could have used it to escape.”
“How are you so sure it’s still here? This entire ship just evacuated. Anyone could have used it to escape.”118
“This is a paramilitary operation,” she told him. “Everyone would have been assigned to specific escape vessels, and I know for a fact that this one would not be.”
“This is a paramilitary operation,” she told him. “Everyone would have been assigned to specific escape vessels, and I know for a fact that this one would not be.”120
“Because I know,” she said simply. “Just trust me.” Then, with a little hmmpph whose subtext said “I told you so,” Medea presented them with their escape vessel. “It was the vessel Abi procured to get me off the island hours ago.” The boat was actually a small motorized raft, but it could hold all four of them. They boarded and fired up the engine, pulling away from the burning war barge and leaving a swath of devastation behind then.
“Because I know,” she said simply. “Just trust me.” Then, with a little hmmpph whose subtext said “I told you so,” Medea presented them with their escape vessel. “It was the vessel Abi procured to get me off the island hours ago.” The boat was actually a small motorized raft, but it could hold all four of them. They boarded and fired up the engine, pulling away from the burning war barge and leaving a swath of devastation behind then.121
The Bay of Poseidon was speckled with lights from other lifeboats and several helicopters were approaching above. Jason couldn’t tell who they belonged to from this distance but he suspected at least one of them was with Prometheus and the Torch. Though they might not be mentioned by name, the heroes’ exploits would certainly make the front page of the next day’s morning edition.
The Bay of Poseidon was speckled with lights from other lifeboats and several helicopters were approaching above. Jason couldn’t tell who they belonged to from this distance but he suspected at least one of them was with Prometheus and the Torch. Though they might not be mentioned by name, the heroes’ exploits would certainly make the front page of the next day’s morning edition.122
“Which one of those choppers up there is you?” Jason asked when he called Theseus after they gotten a safe distance from the barge.
“Which one of those choppers up there is you?” Jason asked when he called Theseus after they gotten a safe distance from the barge.125
“I mean that I got called back to station. The chief heard about what was going down out here and wanted to know if I was involved.”
“I mean that I got called back to station. The chief heard about what was going down out here and wanted to know if I was involved.”126
“And so you decided to protect your own ass. Again.” Jason should have known that eventually Theseus’ helpful streak would end and the former hero would return to form.
“And so you decided to protect your own ass. Again.” Jason should have known that eventually Theseus’ helpful streak would end and the former hero would return to form.127
“I’m trying, Jason,” Theseus snapped, “but my bosses are asking all these questions about Colchis right now, and I’m going to have to cut through a mile of red tape first. Just hang tight. And watch out for sea monsters.” Then the detective hung up on him.
“I’m trying, Jason,” Theseus snapped, “but my bosses are asking all these questions about Colchis right now, and I’m going to have to cut through a mile of red tape first. Just hang tight. And watch out for sea monsters.” Then the detective hung up on him.128
“Great,” Jason said. He turned to the others. “It looks like help isn’t coming.” They were on the wrong side of the bay too—the burning barge was between them and the docks of New Olympus. The waters between would be filled with burning oil and dangerous wreckage that would be invisible in the darkness. “We’re stuck here for now. Theseus says he’s coming as fast as he can. And to watch out for sea monsters,” he added at the end bitterly.
“Great,” Jason said. He turned to the others. “It looks like help isn’t coming.” They were on the wrong side of the bay too—the burning barge was between them and the docks of New Olympus. The waters between would be filled with burning oil and dangerous wreckage that would be invisible in the darkness. “We’re stuck here for now. Theseus says he’s coming as fast as he can. And to watch out for sea monsters,” he added at the end bitterly.141
“Guys,” Jason warned. “Stop picking on the poor girl.” He rubbed Medea’s back helpfully. “It’s ok, there hasn’t been a sea monster sighting in the bay for five, six days now.”
“Guys,” Jason warned. “Stop picking on the poor girl.” He rubbed Medea’s back helpfully. “It’s ok, there hasn’t been a sea monster sighting in the bay for five, six days now.”142
“I hate you all,” she grumbled. “I’m going to let you all die the next time one of my relatives comes after you. Do you seriously not know anyone else that can come rescue us? I thought you heroes were supposed to be pillars of the freakin’ community! Call in a favor and get us out of here!”
“I hate you all,” she grumbled. “I’m going to let you all die the next time one of my relatives comes after you. Do you seriously not know anyone else that can come rescue us? I thought you heroes were supposed to be pillars of the freakin’ community! Call in a favor and get us out of here!”143
“Hey,” Jason said, putting on a serious face. “This is the safest we’ve been in two days. Everything is going to be alright. Have you had anything to eat today? Maybe there are some rations on the raft. Herk, can you check?” There were several waterproof cases on the raft, presumably full of equipment.
“Hey,” Jason said, putting on a serious face. “This is the safest we’ve been in two days. Everything is going to be alright. Have you had anything to eat today? Maybe there are some rations on the raft. Herk, can you check?” There were several waterproof cases on the raft, presumably full of equipment.144
“I’m not hungry,” Medea quickly responded. “I just have a thing with being on such a small boat in such a big body of water in the middle of the night.”
“I’m not hungry,” Medea quickly responded. “I just have a thing with being on such a small boat in such a big body of water in the middle of the night.”147
“Worse,” the strongman replied. He reached into the case and pulled out a disembodied arm. Herk tossed the arm at Jason, who instinctively batted it away. The limb landed in the water next to the raft.
“Worse,” the strongman replied. He reached into the case and pulled out a disembodied arm. Herk tossed the arm at Jason, who instinctively batted it away. The limb landed in the water next to the raft.156
Jason countered. “He put out a hit on the rest of us. And you said so yourself: he was the only other person that had access to this raft. So unless you’re planning to fess up to this, I think you have to face the fact that there is still a murderous member of your family at large.”
Jason countered. “He put out a hit on the rest of us. And you said so yourself: he was the only other person that had access to this raft. So unless you’re planning to fess up to this, I think you have to face the fact that there is still a murderous member of your family at large.”157
Medea looked like she was going to cry. “Damn you, Father,” she said to herself. “Damn you for turning Abi into a monster like you.” She leaned over to Herk’s side of the raft and pushed the crate into the bay. Another arm and leg spilled out into the bay and the rest of the crate floated away.
Medea looked like she was going to cry. “Damn you, Father,” she said to herself. “Damn you for turning Abi into a monster like you.” She leaned over to Herk’s side of the raft and pushed the crate into the bay. Another arm and leg spilled out into the bay and the rest of the crate floated away.160
“Simmer down, drama queen,” she snapped back. “Let’s not forget that my ex-husband was one of your maniac brother’s victims.”
“Simmer down, drama queen,” she snapped back. “Let’s not forget that my ex-husband was one of your maniac brother’s victims.”162
“You bitch!” Atlanta leapt forward to throttle the other woman. Jason and Herk were just a little bit faster and restrained both of the women before they could do any damage to each other or the vessel.
“You bitch!” Atlanta leapt forward to throttle the other woman. Jason and Herk were just a little bit faster and restrained both of the women before they could do any damage to each other or the vessel.163
With an arm around Medea, Jason said, “It looks like we’re all a little tired and have been together in this little boat for too long. Everyone just needs to calm down. We’re all on the same team.”
With an arm around Medea, Jason said, “It looks like we’re all a little tired and have been together in this little boat for too long. Everyone just needs to calm down. We’re all on the same team.”166
Jason drew his gun and fired it into the air. “I said calm down!” Everyone in the boat flinched. “Now we are all going to try and get some rest, and eventually help will come. If you don’t like that, you can get out of the boat and trying swimming back to shore.” Gun still in hand, he leaned back in the raft and closed his eyes. A few minutes later he felt Medea curl up next to him.
Jason drew his gun and fired it into the air. “I said calm down!” Everyone in the boat flinched. “Now we are all going to try and get some rest, and eventually help will come. If you don’t like that, you can get out of the boat and trying swimming back to shore.” Gun still in hand, he leaned back in the raft and closed his eyes. A few minutes later he felt Medea curl up next to him.167
“Put your gun away,” she whispered into his ear. “I don’t want you accidentally shooting someone while you sleep.”
“Put your gun away,” she whispered into his ear. “I don’t want you accidentally shooting someone while you sleep.”168
Jason dozed off. He wasn’t sure how long he was out, but when he awoke it was still the middle of the night. A bright spotlight was shining down on the raft. Medea was still fast asleep. Atlanta and Herk were sitting uncomfortably on the other side of the raft. Atlanta had been trying to lie down, but without having to actually touch Herk.
Jason dozed off. He wasn’t sure how long he was out, but when he awoke it was still the middle of the night. A bright spotlight was shining down on the raft. Medea was still fast asleep. Atlanta and Herk were sitting uncomfortably on the other side of the raft. Atlanta had been trying to lie down, but without having to actually touch Herk.170
“Jason, Herk, is that you?” Prometheus called. His voice was both familiar and welcome. They waved their hands in the air in response and a moment later a rope ladder dropped from the helicopter.
“Jason, Herk, is that you?” Prometheus called. His voice was both familiar and welcome. They waved their hands in the air in response and a moment later a rope ladder dropped from the helicopter.172
“Turns out that us heroes are connected after all,” Jason told her. “Consider us rescued.” Medea followed Atlanta up the ladder into the aircraft.
“Turns out that us heroes are connected after all,” Jason told her. “Consider us rescued.” Medea followed Atlanta up the ladder into the aircraft.178
“I’ll tell you later,” the other hero promised, and climbed up the ladder. Jason followed shortly behind him. Two other individuals were also in the helicopter; one was a Torch photographer, and Jason assumed the other was a reporter. He could have hugged Prometheus. The media mogul had gotten a call from Theseus and had decided to pilot one of the news choppers himself. Loath as he was to admit, he probably owed Theseus a hug too. Well, maybe not a hug. Maybe a firm handshake or a manly fist bump. Something like that.
“I’ll tell you later,” the other hero promised, and climbed up the ladder. Jason followed shortly behind him. Two other individuals were also in the helicopter; one was a Torch photographer, and Jason assumed the other was a reporter. He could have hugged Prometheus. The media mogul had gotten a call from Theseus and had decided to pilot one of the news choppers himself. Loath as he was to admit, he probably owed Theseus a hug too. Well, maybe not a hug. Maybe a firm handshake or a manly fist bump. Something like that.179
“It’s been awhile since I have done actual newsgathering,” Prometheus told them. “And I thought that this would be a good opportunity to get a jump on the competition. You will all be required to provide quotes for the article of course. And Herk?”
“It’s been awhile since I have done actual newsgathering,” Prometheus told them. “And I thought that this would be a good opportunity to get a jump on the competition. You will all be required to provide quotes for the article of course. And Herk?”
