σɾɳιƚԋαʂ (ρʝσ x ɱαʅҽ σƈ)

I Survive a Ship Battle

Percy's POV

Clarisse: You are in so much trouble.

We'd just finished a ship tour we didn't want, through dark rooms overcrowded with dead sailors. We'd seen the coal bunker, the boilers and engine, which huffed and groaned like it would explode any minute. We'd seen the pilothouse 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 cannon balls.

Everywhere we went, dead Confederate sailors stared at us, their ghostly bearded faces shimmering over their skulls. They approved of Annabeth because she told them she was from Virginia. They were interested in me and Theo, too, because my name was Jackson and Theo's name is Miller—like the Southern generals—but then I ruined it by telling them we were from New York. They all hissed and muttered curses about Yankees.

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

Finally, we 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. I didn't want to eat anything served by ghosts, but my hunger overruled my fear.

Clarisse: Tantalus expelled you for eternity. 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.

Theo: (scoffs) All he does is say what he'd do, but never goes through with it. All bark, no bite.

Clarisse let out a chuckle.

Percy: Did they give you this ship?

Clarisse: Course not. My father did.

Percy: Ares?

Clarisse: 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 me with a hungry stare.

Captain: If it means an end to this infernal war, ma'am, peace at last, we'll do anything. Destroy anyone.

Clarisse: (smiles) Destroy anyone. I like that.

Tyson gulped.

Annabeth: Clarisse, Luke might be after the Fleece, too. We saw him. He's got the coordinates and he's heading south. He has a cruise ship full of monsters—

Clarisse: Good! I'll blow him out of the water, too.

Annabeth: You don't understand. We have to combine forces. Let us help you—

Clarisse: (pounds the table) NO! This is my quest, smart girl! Finally, I get to be the hero, and you two will not steal my chance.

Theo: Where are your cabin mates? You were allowed to take two with you.

Clarisse: They didn't...I let them stay behind. To protect the camp.

Theo: You mean even they don't want anything to do with you.

Clarisse: Shut it, Titi! I don't need them! Or you!

Percy: Clarisse, Tantalus is using you. He doesn't care about the camp. He'd love to see it destroyed. He's setting you up to fail.