Ichor

Commander (Part VII)

Year 20 - Commander
Planet Earth

° ° ° °

Percy set up the tent and pocket dimension while the others worked on organizing the infirmary tent. He was so focused on his tasks that he didn't notice the accumulating crowd and remained oblivious until he heard audible gasps from the people behind him.

They saw the soldiers march out of the portal in neat rows with their armor on, weapons sheathed, and a single duffel bag in hand (they were bigger on the inside). As the soldiers poured out by the dozen, they formed ranks in the open field. There were so many soldiers, they almost didn't all fit.

A hopeful brother waited impatiently amongst his other half-brothers. Connor Stoll scanned each face until he spotted curly brown hair exactly like his. Travis nearly fell over when Connor rammed into him with a hug. He didn't break from attention completely, but he wrapped his free arm protectively around Connor.

"At ease," Percy said.

Travis went into the more relaxed stance but refused to let Connor go. And Connor had no plans to let go either.

The demigods wanted to jump and cheer at Travis's return home, but the seriousness that the soldiers brought kept them silent for now. The soldiers watched in curiosity as their Commander approached. Travis knew, of course, that everything Percy said would be for show, but he had no idea what his friend had in mind.

"Major Stoll," he said loud enough for all to hear, "I take it this is your brother."

"Yes, Commander," Travis responded, finally letting Connor out of the embrace.

Connor turned to face the Commander but stayed by Travis's side. It was weird for the demigods to see Travis so stony-faced. The army had noticeably changed him. More muscular, more serious, more mature. But from the Commander's next words, his personality hadn't changed too much.

"So now I'll have two immediate suspects should our cloaks turn pink again," Percy deadpanned with a raised brow.

The other soldiers unsuccessfully tried to cover their laughter at the memory. Seeing their Commander greet the royal family of Dirmik in a hot pink cloak was something no one would forget.

"That won't happen again, sir," Travis said formally. But then he added, "I'm all out of pink dye."

Changing the subject abruptly, Percy said, "Major Stoll, I will relieve you of your duties until tomorrow morning after breakfast. You are free to catch up with your friends and family until then. But I expect you to be back in uniform and ready to work by second morning drill. Is that understood, Major?"

"Understood, sir. Thank you."

"You are dismissed. As for the rest of you, the pocket dimension is through the second tent. Put away your belongings properly. I will grant you the night to explore. Do not enter the woods. Do not go beyond the boundaries. Do not damage property. Do not enter a cabin without explicit permission. And do not maim or kill the campers. Dismissed."

The soldiers all went into the second tent in a semi-organized fashion. And Percy went into the command tent followed by his generals. They all agreed to postpone meetings and training until the next day. Which meant they got to question Percy in the privacy of the command tent all night long.