LUNACY; percy jackson

chapter 7

[act two; chapter seven     -     falling through the world]

    "You are in so much trouble."

    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 the group went, dead Confederate sailors stared at them, their ghostly bearded faces shimmering over their skulls. They approved of Annabeth because she was from Virginia. They were interested in Percy, too, because his name was Jackson—like the Southern general—but then he ruined his chance at their favor by telling them he was from New York. They all hissed and muttered curses about Yankees.

    Tyson, however, was quite afraid of them, clinging to Annabeth's hand, even when she appeared less enthused.

    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.

    "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. Except for Dromeda, he wants you to come back—something about cleansing you from the 'Jackson Filth'."

    When Percy shifted his gaze to Andromeda, he found her grinning, just slightly. He shook his head, face disapproving, only to be met with her sticking her tongue at him.

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

    "'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 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."