𝑳𝑶𝑵𝑮 𝑳𝑰𝑽𝑬 || 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒚 𝒋𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒙 𝒐𝒄

embrace for impact...again

"You are in so much trouble," Clarisse said.

Percy, Maisie, Annabeth and Tyson had just finished a ship tour they didn't want, through dark rooms overcrowded with dead sailors. In the coal bunker, the boilers and engine huffed and groaned like it would explode any minute.

Everywhere they went, dead Confederate sailors stared at them, their ghostly bearded faces shimmering over their skulls. Maisie was afraid they were going to give Annabeth trouble, but They were much more interested in Percy, because his name was Jackson—like the Southern general. But then Percy ruined it by telling them he was from New York. They all hissed and muttered curses about Yankees.

Tyson was terrified of them. All through the tour, he insisted that Maisie hold his hand.

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—Maisie's favorite—were served by skeletal crewmen.

"I don't want to eat anything served by ghosts," Percy whispered to Maisie.

"Can I have your soda then?"

"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."

"He won't do that," Maisie said. "He told me he wants to play me at Pinochle again."

"Only cause you suck at that game," Annabeth told her.

"He refuses to explain the rules to me!"

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

"Course not. My father did."

"Ares?"

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 Maisie with a hungry stare. They must really hate the Yankees, she thought.

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

Clarisse smiled. "Destroy anyone. I like that."

Tyson gulped.

"Clarisse," Annabeth said, "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—"

"Good! I'll blow him out of the water."

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