Poseidon Awakens (Chapter 2)

Chapter Two of a serialized novella
New chapters every Tuesday and Friday

“Hernandez...get your ass up here!”

Oscar considered ignoring the biologist, but decided against it...they were out in the middle of the Mediterranean...if they wanted to toss him overboard, they could do it, and none would be the wiser.

Besides, from his estimation, his days as a free man were numbered...the god would see to that, if he didn’t outright kill everyone who’d woken him. Oscar was actually surprised he hadn’t already killed them.

“What now? Got another monster you want dealt with? I’ve only got one more suit left!”

Frank scowled. “No...they’ve called us to the wardroom...everyone, no exceptions!”

He and Frank were the last to arrive. Oscar’s stomach rumbled and his mouth watered when he caught a whiff of steak and onions. Are we celebrating or is it our last meal?

He’d just shoved a piece in his mouth when Frank elbowed him and whispered. “Well, word is it seems the professor knows what he’s talking about.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’d said that the god would agree to his terms and he did. Now maybe we’ll get some time off this boneyard reject.”

“Which terms? You’re keeping me in the dark here Frank, and I don’t appreciate it...not one bit! How in the hell am I supposed to do my job with only...”

“Thank you, ladies and gentlemen for your attention.”

The professor was standing in front of the entrance to the wardroom, flanked by two soldiers. While he reminded Oscar of the bully Sergeant he’d dealt with in basic, the archaeologist seemed smarter, and crazier...God only knew how crazy.

“I’ll keep this brief...I hear that cheesecake is on the menu for dessert, so I hope you’ve all got a big appetite!”

Nervous laughter spread through the room. Oscar paused mid bite, as the knot in his stomach twisted harder. Enough was enough.

You wanna know what’s going on? Might as well ask the horse’s ass.

“So what gives professor? Is this our last meal?”

Oscar studied the man, looking for any sign of deception. He thought he saw an eye twitch, but he was sitting too far away to be sure.

“Ha, not at all...we’re simply celebrating the fact that we’ve found the source of free energy that can be available for every human on earth.”

“Free energy, huh? If there’s one thing in life I’ve learned, professor, nothing is free...everything has a price. The only question is, what’s the price that we’re gonna pay for that energy?”

“Now look here...what’s your name?”

“Oscar Hernandez.”

“Okay, Oscar...let me put it to you simply. All of us have worked hard to get where we are today, and yes, we’ve hit some roadblocks. But you must realize that no great venture can be expected to be conquered without some struggle.

“Now, thankfully, we’ve been promised something that will make all of the risk, and the struggle worthwhile. Energy that is both plentiful and renewable and that will change the world.

“I admit, we’ve had some things go wrong, but now we’ve found a way to turn things around, so that’s the reason why I told cook to fire up the grill...so we could celebrate.”

Frank nudged him, then whispered. “Give it a rest, will ya? I’m ready to get off this barge, and you’re getting all philosophical. Let it go and just eat!”

The hell I will...

Oscar pushed back from the table and moved towards the professor, but his path was blocked by the two mountains that flanked the madman, and unless he was willing to get tossed in the brig, he figured he’d wait until they were dismissed.

Then, he had another thought. He turned to face his shipmates.

“Well then, I guess congratulations to everyone on the team is in order...especially you professor. You’re not only going to be rich, you’ll be famous...can I go ahead and get your autograph now, before your rise to stardom?”

The professor scowled. “Smart ass.”

Oscar felt a sudden stabbing pain in his neck before his legs gave way and his vision grew dark. The last thing he remembered seeing was Frank standing over him, a frown on his face.