𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐋¹ || 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐘 𝐉𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐒𝐎𝐍

𝐗𝐗𝐈𝐗

✦ 𝐂𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐄 ✦

"YOU ARE IN SO MUCH TROUBLE," CLARISSE SAID.

They'd just finished a ship tour they didn't want, through dark rooms overcrowded with dead sailors. The four have seen the coal bunker, the boilers, and the engine, which huffed and groaned like it would explode any minute.

They'd seen the pilot house and the powder magazine and gunnery deck (Clarisse's favorite) with two Dahlgren smoothbore cannons on the port and starboard sides and a brooke nine-inch rifled gun fore and aft – all specially refitted to fire celestial bronze cannonballs.

Everywhere they went, dead Confederate sailors stared at them, their ghostly bearded faces shimmering over their skulls.

They approved of Annabeth because she told them she was from Virginia. They were interested in Percy, too, because his name was Jackson – like the Southern general – but then he ruined it by telling them he was from New York. They all hissed and muttered curses about the Yankees. Aurora, who was also from New York decided to be smart and told them she was from Miami which they didn't really care for, they simply liked her because of her unique hair color and her wings.

Tyson was terrified of them. All through the tour, he insisted Annabeth hold his hand, which she didn't look too thrilled about.

Finally, they were escorted to dinner. The CSS Birmingham captain's quarters were about the size of a walk-in closet, but still much bigger than any other room on board. The table was set with white linen and china. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, potato chips, and Dr. Peppers were served by skeletal crewmen. They didn't want to eat anything served by ghosts, but their hunger overruled fear.

"Tantalus expelled you for eternity," Clarisse told them smugly. "Mr. D said if any of you show your face at Camp again, he'll turn you into squirrels and run you over with his SUV."

"The Camp is on the precipice of being devoured by monsters because of their ignorance... there will be no Camp to return to." Aurora pointed out.

"Did they give you this ship?" Percy asked Clarisse.

"Course not. My father did."

"Ares?"

"Santa Claus," Aurora muttered under her breath.

Clarisse sneered, "You think your daddy is the only one with sea power? The spirits on the losing side of every war owe a tribute to Ares. That's their curse for being defeated. I prayed to my father for a naval transport and here it is. These guys will do anything I tell them. Won't you, Captain?"

The captain stood behind her looking stiff and angry. His glowing green eyes fixed Percy with a hungry stare. "If it means an end to this infernal war, ma'am, peace at last, we'll do anything. Destroy anyone."