Percy Jackson son of Neptune

No more Augur

Chapter Seven

Frank would always be grateful to Percy for turning him into the man, and demigod, that he was now. He had taken him in, believed in him, when no one else would. The other cohorts had sniggered at him, made fun of him behind his back, and mocked him when he failed. Percy had been patient, kind, but strict with him, only tolerating failure the first time.

Frank had grown into his role in the legion, first earning the trust of his own cohort, and then that of the others. He had gotten much fitter as well, burning off the baby fat he had when he arrived, and learned to use a gladius as well as continuing to hone his skills with the bow, at Percy's insistence. Just before the end of his first month, Percy announced to the Cohort that he was reintroducing the rank of Optio, though since the Cohort already had two Centurions, it would be equivalent to a senior enlisted rank, instead of second in command. He then gave it to Frank, which had surprised him, but not the others. He had asked Leila about it later.

"You're the first legionary that Percy has ever sponsored." She had told him. "We all assumed he would groom you for command, and he did. This his him rewarding you for being a good student. Chances are, he's going to try and have you in command of a Cohort in two years' time."

When Jason vanished, there was an uproar. The Fifth Cohort was shunned by the First and Second, and parts of the Third, though the Fourth stayed loyal to their sister cohort. Frank had broken up more fights than he could count between members of the Fourth and other cohorts, when the integrity of the Fifth was questioned. Percy was just as quick to shut those fights down, though he had no issue laying the hammer down on both sides, which often resulted in bruised legionnaires visiting the medicus.

Slowly, other cohorts began reintroducing the rank of Optio, using it to promote skilled leaders, or those that would eventually succeed the current Centurion. This had led to some arguments, but most were resolved quickly. Percy's example of grooming the Optio spread, and most were those with at least two years on their belt. Frank was the aberration, still technically a Probatio, yet holding the rank of Optio. Percy didn't care, however, and none had the guts to contradict him, especially since he was the one who brought the rank back into practice.

Because he was just and Optio, he was fairly surprised when he was ordered to attend a Senate meeting, but that changed to worry when Percy admitted he didn't know why he was being summoned. They arrived together with Leila, who, like Percy, were wearing togas. Frank was wearing his armour, though that was by Percy's command. While centurions had transverse crests on their helms, Frank's ran from the front of his helm to the back, to distinguish him from a regular soldier, yet still not a Centurion. His helmet was tucked under his arm, and he was flanked on either side by Percy and Leila. They sat in their seats, and Frank was given one near them. The meeting began, and went rather smoothly, until finally Octavian rose with a flourish.

"It has come to my attention, through the delicate study of the auguries, that Probatio Zhang is a descendant of none other than Shen Lun, who forced us away from our original home, in San Francisco!" The augur revealed dramatically, causing an uproar in the senate. Frank shot a glance to Percy, whose face was blank, though he could see the rage in his eyes. Reyna tried to get the senators to calm down, but they refused to listen.

A deafening crack of thunder sounded, and the group got silent. Frank could see Percy gripping the arm-rests on his seat, his knuckles turning white. He rose from his seat, and his calm façade remained in place.

"Are you blaming one of my legionnaires for the actions of his ancestor, Octavian?" Percy asked. "Because if you are, I would like to draw attention to your own grandfather, who murdered two citizens of New Rome. Are we to throw you in prison for that?"

"There was no proof my grandfather did that!" Octavian exclaimed.

"And there's no proof that Shen Lun caused the earthquake. It was all assumptions, and let me assure you, he was many generations removed from my father. His demigod ancestor belonged to our ancient people, exiled to China in the aftermath of Crassus defeat at the Battle of Carrhae." Percy declared, though Frank had no idea how he knew that. "Even you, Octavian, have more godly blood in you than Shen Lun did, and if you can barely use a bow, a trait all children, and most legacies, of Apollo have, then what makes you think that Shen Lun, a legacy with barely any connection to the sea, could cause an earthquake?"

There was no answer for that, but Percy ploughed on.

"Dakota." He said, drawing the attention of the centurion. "You're a son of Bacchus. Do you have the power to drive people insane, as your father does?"

The Centurion of the Fifth shook his head, and Percy turned to Vanessa, a legacy of Venus.

"Vanessa, can you change your appearance at will, or charmspeak others, like your grandmother, Venus can?"

"No, Centurion Jackson, I cannot." She said with a soft smile on her face.

"Then why are we to assume that Shen Lun caused the destruction?" Percy asked, receiving silence. "I say that this was an attempt by the augur, who we all know has had issue and arguments with myself, to discredit my decision to make Frank Zhang, and exemplary legionary, even if he is a Probatio, my Optio."

"That's a serious allegation, Centurion Jackson." Reyna said, seriously, her face blank.

"It's false!" Octavian screeched. "He and the Praetor have planned this as treason! Yes, they are trying to betray Rome by bringing another legacy of Neptune in, to destroy our home!"

It was becoming clear that Octavian was delusional, but he sealed his fate with his next words.

"She opened her legs to the Sea Spawn, just to draw more power around herself!" He exclaimed, pointing at Reyna, who rose rapidly. "She plans to crown him a dictator! To betray the Rome we love so much, for a son of Neptune, a god who we do not trust!"

Before anyone could act, Percy had sprinted across the room and driven his fist so hard into Octavian that a loud 'Crack!' was heard. The augur's head snapped to the side, and he fell, motionless. All looked at Percy, whose face was contorted in rage.

"It is one thing to insult me. It is one thing to insult our Praetor." He growled out. "But to insult MY father, and expect no retribution? Arrest me if you must, but I promise you, I saved him a lifetime of torture at my father's hand."

The crowd was silent, until Reyna spoke.

"The laws are clear. The Augur is sacrosanct." Her voice broke, and she indicated to two of the unarmed guards that were present. "Arrest the Centurion, and take him to a cell. We will hold a trial next week."

Frank watched in horror as Percy was bound by the guards, and escorted out, though he didn't struggle, or even put up a fight. Things were not going well in Rome. One of the senators finally spoke, after several minutes.

"Did he- Did he just break Octavian's neck... with a punch?"

MMXVII

AN: Wow, bet you didn't expect that! I didn't either to be honest, but I remembered a scene from the Fall of Cadia where a newly resurrected Roboute Gulliman punches a Chaos Terminator through a marble pillar. Obviously, Percy isn't that strong, but like the senator asked, he did break his neck with a punch, though Octavian was also about as thin as a straw. Please don't kill me, especially not with a single punch to the head.

Cheers, CombatTombat