Harry POV
"You are in so much trouble," Clarisse said.
We'd just finished a ship tour we didn't want, through dark rooms overcrowded with dead sailors. We'd seen the coal bunker, the boilers and engine, which huffed and groaned like it would explode any minute. We'd seen the pilothouse and the powder magazine and gunnery deck (Clarisse's favorite) with two Dahlgren smoothbore can-nons on the port and starboard sides and a Brooke nineinch rifled gun fore and aft — all specially refitted to fire celestial bronze cannon balls.
Everywhere we went, dead Confederate sailors stared at us, their ghostly bearded faces shimmering over their skulls. They approved of Draco, Jade and Mattheo because they sensed they were related to death gods. They were interested in me and Percy too, because our names were Jackson — like the Southern general.
Tyson was terrified of them. All through the tour, he insisted Jade hold his hand, which she didn't look too thrilled about.
Finally, we 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. I didn't want to eat anything served by ghosts, but my hunger overruled my fear.
"Tantalus expelled you for eternity," Clarisse told us smugly.
"Your dad gave you a nice ship." Percy said.
"Yeah." she said. "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 me with a hungry stare. "If it means an end to this infernal war, ma'am, peace at last, we'll do anything. Destroy anyone."
Clarisse smiled. "Destroy anyone. I like that."
Tyson gulped.
"Clarisse," Percy said, "You know Annabeth left camp too? Mr D thinks she's following us to find the fleece for some reason."
"Good! I'll blow her out of the water."
"So are we like on this quest together now?" asked Draco.
"No." Clarisse glared. "I may be part of the rebellion Percy and Luke have going on but this is my quest. Finally I get to be the hero, and you guys are not gonna still my chance."
"Where are your cabin mates?" I asked. "You were allowed to take two or five friends with you, weren't you?"
"They didn't ... I let them stay behind. To protect the camp."
"You mean even the people in your own cabin wouldn't help you?" Percy said.
"Shut up, Prissy! I don't need them!"
"Clarisse," Percy said, "Tantalus doesn't care. You kinda need our help a bit."
"No! I don't care what the Oracle — " She stopped her-self.
"What?" Percy said. "I didn't say anything about the oracle. What did it tell you?"
"Nothing." Clarisse's ears turned pink. "All you need to know is that I'm finishing this quest and you're not helping. On the other hand, I can't let you go ..."
"So we're prisoners?" Mattheo asked.
"Merely guests. For now." Clarisse propped her feet up on the white linen tablecloth and opened another Dr Pepper. "Captain, take them below. Assign them hammocks on the berth deck. If they don't mind their manners, show them how we deal with enemy spies."
YOU ARE READING
Percy Jackson and the sea of monsters
Fanfiction"Luke didn't poison Thalia's tree. I did!" ...... Percy and Harry return to camp with new arrivals . Still going by the name Jackson. He tries to balance being a spy and making camp think he's still loyal. Then Grover's in danger.
