VIDEO GAMES! (p. jackson) (#1)

- nine

ROSE COULDN'T BELIEVE SHE'D HAD THE NERVE TO SHOW UP.

rose had flown a helicopter once before— four years ago, under the supervision of annabeth's dad, who was a licensed pilot.

annabeth and percy ran forward as the rotors spun to a stop. rachel opened the side door and dragged out the pilot. rachel was still dressed like she was on vacation, in beach shorts, a t-shirt, and sandals. her hair was tangled and her face was green from the helicopter ride.

rose climbed out last. she was not happy.

"what the fuck is wrong with you?" she shouted at rachel.

rachel looked at percy.

"why are you looking at him?" rose said. "i'm talking to you."

"i had a feeling percy was in trouble!" rachel insisted.

"and i've got a feeling that you're pretty damn stupid, but you don't see me taking a helicopter to tell you! i mean, really, rachel, a helicopter? are we not using phones anymore?"

annabeth and rose shared a look— something they did often, that got on percy's nerves.

"if you'll excuse us," annabeth said, "we have to go help in the infirmary."

"rose," percy started, but she and annabeth were already walking off and sharing hushed whispers.

they had just made it to the infirmary when rose got the texts.

from: percy :)
get back now

from: percy :)
i know you're mad
but it's an emergency

the hephaestus cabin was out of greek fire. the apollo cabin and the hunters were scrounging for arrows. most of them had already ingested so much ambrosia and nectar we didn't dare take any more.

they had sixteen campers, fifteen hunters, and half a dozen satyrs left in fighting shape. the rest had taken refuge on olympus. the party ponies tried to form ranks, but they staggered and giggled and they all smelled like beer. the texans were head-butting the coloradoans. the missouri branch was arguing with illinois. the chances were pretty good the whole army would end up fighting each other rather than the enemy.

chiron trotted up with rachel on his back. rose felt a twinge of annoyance because chiron rarely gave anyone a ride, and never a mortal.

"your friend here has some useful insights, percy," he said.

rachel blushed. "just some things I saw in my head."

"a drakon," chiron said. "a lydian drakon, to be exact. the oldest and most dangerous kind."

percy stared at her. "how did you know that?"

"i'm not sure," rachel admitted. "but this drakon has a particular fate. it will be killed by a child of ares."

"how can you possibly know that?" rose asked.

"i just saw it. i can't explain."

"well, let's hope you're wrong," percy said. "because we're a little short on children of ares..." he cursed in ancient greek.

"what?" annabeth asked.

"the spy," he told her. "kronos said, we know they cannot beat this drakon. the spy has been keeping him updated. kronos knows the ares cabin isn't with us. he intentionally picked a monster we can't kill."

thalia scowled. "if i ever catch your spy, he's going to be very sorry. maybe we could send another messenger to camp—"

"i've already done it," chiron said. "blackjack is on his way. but if silena wasn't able to convince clarisse, i doubt blackjack will be able—"