RED ¹ / Percy Jackson !

40

"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. They'd seen the coal bunker, the boilers and engine, which huffed and groaned like it would explode any minute.

They'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 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 Yankees.

As for Viviene, they cowered back in fear whenever she'd pass. She obviously wasn't happy Clarisse had saved them and that she was stuck on a ship with her now. The sailors kept trailing after her like lost puppies and she just snapped at them and yelled to either give her personal space or she'd kill them again  by only lifting a finger.

The glare she sent them made Percy want to cower away and beg for her forgiveness, even though he did nothing wrong.

The dead Confederate sailors did as she said.

Tyson was terrified of them. All through the tour, he insisted Viviene and Annabeth hold his hands, which they didn't look too thrilled about,but did. 

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. Percy didn't want to eat anything served by ghosts, but his hunger overruled his  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."

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

"'Course not. My father did." Clarisse shot Viviene a smug, proud look.

"He still likes me better." Viviene grumbled.

"Ares?" Percy said.

"You think your daddy is the only one with sea power? "Clarisse sneered. 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."

Viviene glared at the captain and he bowed his head, frowning as he took a step back.

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."