Modern Myths

Book 4 - The Battle of the Labyrinth: Chapter 7: Invasion

7/14/08, Monday

Camp Jupiter, Oakland Hills, Oakland, California, 8:00am

Percy POV

Diana Lucina arrived last night with her huntresses.

She is part of a minor triad in Rome, like the Aventine Triad.

She, Egeria, the wife of the 2nd king of Rome & a mountain-water nymph with ties to childbirth, & Virbius, the Roman Deified form of Artemis's dear friend, Hippolytus. He is the god of the woodland.

The Wild Triad represents nature & the wilderness around Rome.

Before she showed up, I was planning on taking my girls to the Painted Hills on a date.

I can still do that tomorrow, with her, Zoe & Thalia joining, but now I have to plan for a war game.

We're currently sitting at the leaders' table, with all the politicians & priests above the rank of Vestal Virgin that wished to attend.

Thalia spoke, "Do you really make them do laps in Death Valley, the hottest place in the U.S., in parkas?"

I responded, "It increases their resistance to temperature. Can you imagine fighting monsters in a volcano for prolonged periods?"

She nodded, conceding my point.

Annabeth continued, "We also have plans to have them run in Canada in the winter in nothing but their underwear & shorts."

Zoe responded, "That would certainly acclimate them to harsh climates."

Nothing is too overkill when preparing for life & death situations, so those words were never mentioned.

Drew continued, "We also plan to bring back the Bunion Derby as a form of competition between camps."

Artemis chimed in, "Isn't that the 3,423.5 miles leg race from Los Angeles to New York City?"

Reyna nodded in confirmation, "Uh-huh. The first was won by Johnny Salo in 23 days, 21 Hours, 4 minutes & 34 seconds. He also came in second place in the second, & last, Bunion Derby."

I continued, "Campers start at their own camps & run towards the other camp, taking breaks to eat & sleep as needed. It will help foster health competition between camps. Amazons will monitor for cheating, like taking taxis or planes."

We continued to talk & eat until we heard the alarms go off.

We went outside & heard a Circitor, Watchman, scream "Army of monsters is approaching from Oakland Hills, bearing the flag of Triumvirate holdings."

As a Roman Emperor & God, Caligula can permit entry to New Rome to whoever he wants.

Another screamed, "Navy of monsters approaching from Berkeley Hills on the Little Tiber. Also, bearing the flag of Triumvirate."

I yelled, "Arm the walls & ready the defenses. 12th ready the Triremes & both 12th & 9th ready the Mounts. I will lead the Air counter assault along the Tiber, while Frank Zhang leads the ground. Reyna & the 9th will intercept the Oakland invaders. Everyone else, fortify the defenses."

I called Blackjack & mounted him before flying into battle, with Eagles right behind me.

The Triremes, Elephants, Ostriches & Camels were right behind us ready for war.

I ordered the Eagles to start bombing the enemy ships.

I saw Onocentaurs, Nuli, Gryphons, Arimaspi, Pygmies, Hippopodes, Ethiopian Bulls, Katobleps & Cyprian Centaurs.