[personal profile] jimmyhkim21
Title: Perdix's Lament, Conclusion
Author's Name: [livejournal.com profile] frostian
Artist's Name: [livejournal.com profile] 3whiteroses
Genre: RPS, AU
Pairing: JA/JP
Rating: R for language and violence
Warning: Main character deaths
Summary: Humanity is at the brink of war as the relationship between the two major ruling parties disintegrate under bloody assassinations and accusations. Representatives from both sides, desperate in the hopes of avoiding annihilation, meet in secret, trying to stave off a conflagration that would set back humanity into the days before space travel. But neither party knows that there's a third group keen to see war explode across all systems. (Conclusion to Three Grams.)
Disclaimer: Brought to you live from Fiction Nation!


The Outskirts of Argeş System

Jensen changed the course of their ship only slightly, and truth be told Winchester’s autopilot would have made the correction. But after hours of watching the control panels and the black space outside the cockpit windows, Jensen needed to do something.

After visually confirming the ship’s change of course, Jensen returned to the bench where Jared’s body lay. He checked its condition then dialed down the temperature. Jensen also recalculated the time it would take to reach Argeş and decided to boost all the ship’s engines to maximum.

Jensen then rechecked the ship’s cloaking device and was relieved to note it was functioning perfectly. He hummed tunelessly as he scanned for messages from the four people who knew of his plans.

There were none, for which he was grateful. It meant his ruse had worked perfectly.

They’re rebuilding Beaver’s lab. Need subject. Hide.

Jensen had received the secretive missive from Chad the day after Jared died. He’d smiled at Chad’s terse message, grateful for the man’s obvious worry.

Jensen was well aware of the mining companies’ interest in building non-human workforce, and though much of their influence had degraded over the years since the miners had become incorporated themselves, the once-powerful conglomerates knew they could regain control if they had the ability to increase production without paying for safety measures, healthcare costs, and gene therapy for their workforce.

So, they’re recreating us as slave workers, Jensen thought, and was surprised to note he was a bit saddened by the idea. He’d hoped that after the draconian measures Dunrea installed to curtail the influence of major syndicates, they’d realize they would never regain their former stranglehold on the government.

But greed was a wondrous thing: they gave people eternal hope and the blindness necessary to avoid seeing the destruction they caused.

And since he was the last hybrid still functioning, Jensen knew he was of immeasurable value to certain people. He still remembered with great distaste the offers that came his way after Jared’s star began to dim.

Exactly six years after Heth Research Center had been established on Nerum, Jared was seriously injured from a suicide bomber who had approached him on the streets. The man had been a founding member of Purity, a group of fanatics who believed that people form the mining planets should never be able to reproduce freely as genetic defects, even corrected, could damage the human race.

For nearly four years, Jared spent most of his time trying to regain control of his body. And Jensen was there for the entire struggle, pouring his entire being into helping Jared take his first step out of the anti-grav chair.

After Jared managed to regain most of his mobility, they both decided that he had to scale back his research since his health couldn’t support his drive. And it didn’t take long for other labs to take his findings and branch out on their own in nanotechnology.

Many thought Jared would be resentful of his predicament, but the truth was the scientist was only too glad to let go of his crown. It had grown heavy over the years, and Jared wanted to devote more of his time to his ever-increasing family.

Sandy heartily approved of Jared’s choice and built a small cottage on her property, so Jared and Jensen could drop by and stay for long durations without feeling like they were being a burden to her.

Then the offers trickled in, few at first but then they became more insistent. Not for Jared but for Jensen. As Jared’s only trusted assistant Jensen had learned great deal about nanotechnology – to the point he could be considered a serious asset or a worrisome rival to other researchers.

Jensen turned them down politely but firmly. However, the second type of offer was harder to deal with as it pertained to his very being.

Once the suicide button was made public, majority of the hybrids either decided to ‘sleep’ as it was coined by the media or age so quickly that their masters had little compunction in discarding them.

Of course, Jensen chose to remain alive and gracefully aged alongside Jared. This went on for years until Jensen became the last of his kind.

He was amused to find that hybrid technology had become the main source of attraction in one of the biggest historical centers in Penn I, and that they had a life-sized replicate of him on display along with a hysterically inaccurate biography.

Jared had visited the Center of Humanity out of sheer curiosity, and left howling with laughter.

“They erased your freckles!” he crowed. “And they made you as tall as me!”

Jensen was very curious but never visited himself. It would be a little too much like masturbating his ego in full view of strangers. But he also knew there was a darker side to his fame: that there were people eager to recreate Beaver’s success since he made immense fortune with his hybrids. Luckily, Beaver was just as successful in destroying his research, so their progress was painfully slow and extremely haphazard.

Jensen started receiving private visitors, all professing their admiration for what he was. And quite a number of them were sincere. However, none of them had any interest in his personal welfare, not really. In a way, it had become like the time when Noah became obsessed with Jensen, as the threat of kidnapping became a heavy reality.

They were finally forced to double their security and enlist the help of friends and the local militia to ensure their privacy and safety. It didn’t take long for Jared to become obsessed with Jensen’s precarious safety. In fact, Jared was in the midst of developing a tracer tag for him when his heart finally surrendered.

Jensen was standing only steps away and caught Jared as he slumped forward. It took him only a moment to realize that Jared was dead.

As soon as he laid out Jared's body on a table, Jensen immediately implemented his last and greatest plan.

He and Jared had purchased Winchester when Jared stumbled over the derelict being auctioned off by a junk merchant. The ship’s main system was still in remarkably good shape though the outer hull was in shreds. They restored it as a form of physical therapy for Jared. Or at least Jared thought it was.

Jensen had the ship in space in less than an hour, and now they were heading towards Argeş: a system with promising hope for colonization and development. It was also the first human outpost that the mining colonies were developing independently. And where they would finally see if the scientists and geneticists at Heth had succeeded in reversing the Singer Affect as the settlers and miners would have been treated with genetic blockers before taking the long journey to Argeş.

Jensen remembered Jeff’s excitement while revealing that Megan’s lab had hit upon a DNA-blocker that could possibly mitigate the chromosomal damage. Megan’s reaction was great deal less dramatic but Jensen heard the agitation vibrating in her soft voice and knew she was already planning out various trials to test her treatment.

After the Singer Effect was made public, the initial hysteria unfolded as predicted. What happened afterwards was something nobody could foresee. Those who were deemed 'unsuitable' as parents still traveled, which meant miners and settlers, mostly. Those who were already classified as PBE-approved, mainly the citizens of Central Planets, were suddenly terrified to travel outside their systems in fear of their unborn children developing genetic defects. And because of this inertia, their influence eroded dramatically over the years. So, by the time Jared completely retired from the public arena, the colonies had the manpower, but most importantly the freedom to explore uncharted territories without help.

The tinny beep told Jensen Winchester had just entered Argeş System. He recalculated the ship’s course to the nearest sun and was pleased to note his initial estimations were correct.

Jensen looked back at Jared’s silent figure, loathing the calm. Jared was never the one to physically be still: even in sleep he would thrash about, and on more than one occasion kick hard enough to wake Jensen from his healing rest.

Jensen heard another beep and looked out the cockpit windows. The sun was burning hot in front of him. He checked then rechecked the ship’s trajectory. Satisfied, he went back to the cot where Jared lay and quietly rested his head on the still-broad chest. Tears came when Jensen didn’t hear the familiar rhythm of Jared’s strong heart.

“Warning.” the ship’s autopilot announced. “Ship is approaching sun without shields. Calculate new trajectory.”

“Stay on course,” Jensen said, his voice strong and unwavering.

Jensen unpacked a small bag he’d taken from their house. He pulled out the marital cord that Jared had made in haste when he suddenly decided that they needed to be married on that very same day. Jensen traced the promises Jared had stitched into each cord with wonder and love. He then put on the tunic that he'd worn when Jared had surprised him with the marriage proposal.

After smoothing out the wrinkles, Jensen entwined one end of the cord around Jared's wrist, and the other around his.

They decided to exchange their vows immediately, without any witnesses. Then, Jared surprised Jensen once again by kneeling down. He produced a small bottle of black ink. Without preamble, Jared wrote his vows on Jensen’s tunic with his fingers while reciting the words.

Jensen barely managed to speak his out loud as tears fell like unharnessed rivers. He had no idea that Jared had kept up with his writing. Megan had told him about Jared’s handwritten application for Andrea Academy, but Jensen never personally observed this phenomenon. As Jared wrote with smooth strokes, he realized Jared had to have practiced for this moment.

Jensen had known for a long time that no one was greater than their love. And no better or worse than those they loved. But to have that demonstrated with such tenderness and care overwhelmed him.

The sun’s heat blistered through the ship’s outer hull and penetrated into the cockpit.

“Warning…”

“Stay on course,” Jensen ordered as he closed his eyes, his embrace tight and unwavering around the still body.

Jensen then began whispering the promise vows he and Jared had spoken to no one but themselves, within the greenhouse they built together. And as he once again heard Jared’s fierce heartbeat, Jensen celebrated the life they had and will have, always.


The End

Part V * Author's Notes & Soundtrack

Date: 2010-06-23 02:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] nice-demon.livejournal.com
I was so happy to see a sequel to 'Three Grams'.
It was a great read though I was sometimes confused since it's been a long time I've read 'Three Grams'.

It was great to see how much in love and devoted they were to each other despite the many years together.

The ending is bittersweet but it fits very well with this story. Love it:)

Date: 2010-06-23 03:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] niquita-gia.livejournal.com
I was thrilled when I saw the sequel to Three Grams.

And then I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the Death warning. No seriously nearly died right there and Im barely being melodramatic.

But it was perfect. It was the natural progression of a life that was lived to the highest degree of existence and that was exactly what Jensen was. I doubt many "real" people could have claimed the same. He died with such beautiful dignity and so loved and in love that it made me sad that the likelihood of anyone experiencing that out from between the pages of fiction seems utterly impossible.

Sequels are often double edged swords but you did 'Three Grams' justice. Thank you

Date: 2010-06-23 03:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] niquita-gia.livejournal.com
Oh and How soon will the PDF. be available, cause too long and il have to make it myself.

I live in fear of fic disappearing into the Black Hole of Web Space

Date: 2010-06-24 02:54 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] frostian.livejournal.com
Probably by the end of this week. The computer I'm using now is dying a horrible death. I'm planning to drag it out back and shoot it in order to put it out of its misery.

It's going to take me a while to get the new one formatted and running!

Date: 2010-06-23 04:39 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gypsy-atavari.livejournal.com
The death warning gave me pause because Toy Story had already gutted me and I didn't know if I could handle that but because you warned I sort of prepared myself already. So many thanks for that, I needed to do that. Hehe.

I think maybe out of all the Big Bangs this year, this sequel was the one I most highly anticipated. You have no idea the ridiculous amount of squealing I did when I saw it. Embarrasing to admit but all too true. :-)

What a beautifully crafted world and characters you've created in this verse. You had me laughing, crying, genuinely concerned for what was happening - and to me that's a mark of a good story. That you were able to take me away from my mundane little bedroom and transport me into a new world and care about these characters as if I knew them personally.

Thanks very much for sharing this with us. It was a truly fulfilling ride. :-)

Date: 2010-06-23 05:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] goldie3.livejournal.com
I loved this story. The plot was amazing. You handled all the pol talk very well. But what I enjoyed most is your characters. Every character holds their own in this story. Every character has a backstory, a life and I loved that you paid attention to that.

And I fucking love your Jensen. He's strong, vulnerable, determined, idealistic and yet pragmatic. Great job :)

Date: 2010-06-23 06:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wusswoo.livejournal.com
Oh I loved this. Such a great story full of flawed characters and the ending moved me so much. I'm just off to have a little weep now xx

Date: 2010-06-23 07:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] arueh.livejournal.com
I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS SEQUEL! \o/ "Three Grams" is one of my favorite BB last year and this s an excellent sequel to a much beloved story for me :DDD.

Although, when I saw the death warnings I freaked /o\ but I went in anyway because a "Three Grams"'s sequel was really hard to resist. Now, I'm really glad I choose to keep on reading because both Js end up getting their well deserve ending <333.

I don't remember if I comment on last year BB but chances are that I didn't (I always been a horrible commenter :x) /o\. I just love this world you created and the stories touch me in ways I can't even explain. I cried in "Three Grams" and the sequel didn't fail to bring tears to my eyes again. So, thank you for writing amazingly thought out story and for sharing it <3.

Date: 2010-06-23 07:33 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] catangel70.livejournal.com
I am sitting here with tears running down my face as I finished reading this magnificent story. All I can say is Thank You for sharing this with the rest of us.

Date: 2010-06-24 03:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dairygirl.livejournal.com
I just recently found your story "Three Grams" and found it haunting my thoughts so much, I had to read it a second time only days later. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see a sequel and devoured it as quickly as I could despite being at work. It was wonderful to see Jared and Jensen in the future, for such a partnership that carried over many years. I enjoyed the intrigue, the plotting, the use of hybrid children and the choices Jensen was able to make even in the face of tumultuous changes. Thank you for introducing this universe and making characters that really shine. I wish for more but your sequel has a worthy ending.

Date: 2010-06-24 07:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ravyn-09.livejournal.com
TT~TT

Damn you, you made me cry! Oh god it was so good. Three Grams is one of my most favorite fics, so when I realised you wrote a sequel I was overjoyed.

I forgot though how your fics tend to make me cry! Gah.

It was beautiful, and well done from beginning to end. Perfect

Date: 2010-06-24 03:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] annie200.livejournal.com
This was the story I had been anticipating the most for BB and you certainly did not disappoint. You have created a world so rich in detail and so logically thought out that it reminded me of reading Dune for the first time.
The fact that this also a beautiful love story as well as in my opinion taking a swipe at humans' baser racist instincts made it a truly exceptional pleasure to read and moved me to tears several times.
I always enjoy anything you create but this was setting the bar to an even higher standard than usual.
Someone else has already mentioned the PDF so I shall be checking until it appears.
Thank you so much for sharing this.

Date: 2010-06-24 05:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twelve-pastels.livejournal.com
Oh, wow. Three Grams was one of my favorite stories from last years' BB, and I'm not even remotely disappointed by its sequel. Beautiful, beautiful work, my dear. Thank you so much for sharing.

Date: 2010-06-24 06:43 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lendsinato.livejournal.com
Oh- god..... I.. I just tear and cry out so badly make my mom yell to me 'Are you Crazy?!' and next she really concern about me cause I really sob hard... OH- Shit- I even want to make this story Happy End...(Changing ending about both Jared and Jensen is alive and happily ever after thing...) Oh god help. I can't stop my tear...

Date: 2010-06-25 04:29 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lendsinato.livejournal.com
It's some kind of happy end but after read 'Perdix's Lament' I keep thinking about I end read this story in 'Three grams'. I'm a person can't stand this ending as happy with me. But you are a genius is exclusive by this story.



Ps. I hope you understand my poor English skill.... I'm not born where mother tong is English.

Date: 2010-06-25 01:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] anifsemaj.livejournal.com
I loved Three Grams & am so glad to see a sequel. The ending was so bittersweet, but I loved the hybrids getting a death-switch and Jensen's choices at the end.

“I’m assuming you’ve got plans?”
“Grand ones,” Jensen said. “Even you’d be impressed.”
Jared caught the mischievous look in Jensen’s eyes. “Does it include explosions?”
“The kind that’s never been accurately measured by humanity.”


The description of their marriage vows was wonderful.

Date: 2010-06-25 10:06 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aubergineautumn.livejournal.com
Aging is one of those phenomena that is unpleasant to think of, but you have portrayed it nicely here.

Date: 2010-06-25 01:24 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] erushi.livejournal.com
I'm so thrilled to be able to read the continuation to Three Grams. I loved this fic, possibly even more than I did its prequel. I particularly loved how you wrote the hostage situation - it was tense, the sense of urgency came through, and parts of it had me literally holding my breath.

I also loved how you addressed the issues of aging, of death, of man's inability to learn sometimes, and of the blurred distintions between a terrorist and a (freedom) fighter with a (misguided/misinformed) cause. Reading this fic was a satisfying, thought-provoking journey, with moments of poignancy, and the ending, while bittersweet, definitely fits this 'verse - and such a well-crafted 'verse it is! - perfectly. Thank you so much for writing this.

Date: 2010-06-25 08:56 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] one-2-3-4.livejournal.com
I've read and reread 'Three Grams' a number of times since last year and I was surprised to see a conclusion pop up this year! This was stunning and vivid, the dive back into this world just as affecting as it had been a year ago. The warnings had been startling (so had the prologue, I cried immediately), but I was determined to plug along because I knew then this would be something I'd be thinking about all summer.

You write fabulously and have a talent for engrossing your reader from the very beginning. This was no different and I absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for sharing and congratulations on finishing!

Date: 2010-06-26 06:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] blackcat333-99.livejournal.com
WOW. Just... WOW.

Man. You took my words away. Brilliant sequel to Three Grams. Fearless in addressing the cyle mankind continues to perpetuate without really learning its lessons on a deeper, lasting level. I loved how Jensen represented the more detached view that presented as alien simply because it was more honest and clear-sighted, able to look beyond emotional/conditioning bias.

Great job!!! Now I'm off to re-read Three Grams...

Date: 2010-06-26 07:15 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] kityara-chloe.livejournal.com
Wonderful. I am so amazed by the talent on display here. Thank you x

Date: 2010-06-27 05:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aletheo.livejournal.com
By every measure, only one word can even begin to describe this: exquisite.

What bribery do require to proceed with the Homerian epic? Pie? I make great pie!

Thank you so much for this.

Date: 2010-06-28 05:14 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] theatervine.livejournal.com
This was wonderful. The entire world and it'd inhabitants was gorgeously done.

Date: 2010-06-29 04:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] norwich36.livejournal.com
This was fantastic. I really admired the complicated political landscape you created in this story. And the ending was beautiful, even though it made me cry.

Date: 2010-06-29 06:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] timian.livejournal.com
Oh, and now I am sad. No, strike that: SAD!!!!! But also happy, because this was beautiful. I am so, SO very impressed by your world building. Shockingly so, even. It was amazing. Your world had such a unique tone with such an involved but clear history. I'm reminded of Dune in the subtlety and grace of how your world shaped its inhabitants. I actually am no great fan of Dune, but I have always admired that aspect of its writing. I was also greatly moved by the ending, and maybe even a little surprised by how moved I was and am. So often in such an epic sweep I find myself much more distant from the characters than I would be in a more narrowly-bound world. But I had admit it: there were teary eyes.

I'd also very much like to comment on how your writing has evolved, even though I'm loathe to sound any flavor of superior. Nevertheless, while I loved Three Grams, this sequel was I think far superior. I was really struck by how you've grown as a writer: your confidence in weaving together such a large cast and so many tangled allegiances really showed. And the nimbleness you demonstrated with the action scenes greatly impressed.

Brava, frostian. Brava. :)

Date: 2010-06-29 12:26 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] wayward-jr.livejournal.com
Thank you ))))

Date: 2010-07-13 10:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] twister71.livejournal.com
Thank you, "three grams" is one of my all time favorite fics, I 'm so happy to see that you wrote a sequel to it, I have tears in my eyes as I write this, I read the death warning and It made me doubt about reading it but I'm happy I did, the end was sad but it fits perfectly with the story, theirs was the greatest love story.
Thank you for sharing your talent with us.

Date: 2010-07-26 08:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alteredloc.livejournal.com
I really, really enjoyed this. I loved the first one but this squeal was pure awesome. It was so much fun to read and felt both deep yet light at the same time, if that makes any sense.

What I'm trying to say that I really wouldn't be apposed to an Odyssey's worth of this story. :)

Date: 2010-07-27 04:45 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] meret.livejournal.com
Terrific story! I'm not usually a fan of RPS, but I really enjoyed this. :)

Date: 2010-07-28 10:31 pm (UTC)
ext_3554: dream wolf (Default)
From: [identity profile] keerawa.livejournal.com
I was shocked by the sudden attack during the peace talks, in a whirl trying to figure out who was responsible and why. Which, really, put me in the same position as everyone running and fighting for their lives.

Singer's solution to the problem of treatment of his hybrids was elegant if ... tragic. Is this really the best humanity can do? Perhaps.

Thank you for the story!

Date: 2010-08-27 09:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tru-witness.livejournal.com
What a perfect ending to the great love story of "Three Grams".

A great rollicking space opera with a touching love story and a bittersweet ending. I loved the original fic, and you didn't disappoint with this sequel. The epilouge had me blinking back tears.

Thank you for sharing.

Date: 2010-09-18 10:31 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] culturegeek76.livejournal.com
I know if a fictional character's death brings a tear to my eye that it was a well written work. Thank you for sharing.

Date: 2010-09-25 11:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] vera6.livejournal.com
this final chapter had tears flowing freely. I cried at the end of Three Grams too, because you had killed my Jensen. this Jensen you created was so beautiful and dignified. Thank you

Date: 2010-10-28 06:31 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] cammie-bluesky.livejournal.com
I will admit that parts of this confused me but what grabbed me from Three Grams was the strong connection between Jared and Jensen which was carried on here. What a sad but also beautiful ending. Bittersweet with Jensen thinking back to the long life they've had together laying there with Jared in his arms but still so much in love with each other.

Wonderful. :D

Date: 2010-10-29 07:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mre-quecky.livejournal.com
Oh my, what a happy and sad ending all together.
Loved this story so much! Such interesting details and characters.
Glorious!

Date: 2012-01-17 12:39 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fjacky.livejournal.com
Wow Jus wow …... The story was just so brilliant and I really enjoyed reading this. Thanks :)

Date: 2013-04-01 08:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] onewearyheart.livejournal.com
Aaaahhh!!! Ur so awesome! J2 stories should always be like this--epic. Because otp is exactly that--EPIC! Ur truly awesome :D

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