"You are in so much trouble," Clarrise told them after giving them a tour they didn't want.
They saw the coal bunker, the boiler and engine rooms, which let out some unnerving sounds. They'd seen the pilothouse and the powder magazine and gunnery deck (which was 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 we went, dead Confederate sailors stared at us, their ghostly bearded faces shimmering over their skulls. They approved of Annabeth because she told them she was from Virginia. They were interested in Percy, too, because his name was Jackson—like the Southern general—but then he ruined it by telling them he was from New York. They all hissed and muttered curses about Yankees.
Tyson was terrified of them. All through the tour, he insisted Jinora hold his hand, which she wasn't too thrilled about. She only caved when she looked over and Percy gave her a pleading look. She sighed and relented.
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. Normally, Jinora wouldn't want to eat anything served by ghosts, but her hunger overruled her fear.
"Tantalus expelled you for eternity," Clarisse told us 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."
"Did they give you this ship?" Percy 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."
Clarisse smiled. "Destroy anyone. I like that."
Tyson gulped.
"Clarisse," Annabeth spoke, "Luke might be after the Fleece, too. We saw him. He's got the coordinates and he's heading south. He has a cruise ship full of monsters—"
"Good! I'll blow him out of the water."
"You don't understand," Annabeth said. "We have to combine forces. Let us help you—"
"No!" Clarisse pounded her fist to the table, causing everyone to jump. "This is my quest, smart girl! Finally I get to be the hero, and you three will not steal my chance!"
Jinora looked around, noticing that there were no other campers on board besides them. "Clarisse, where are your cabin mates? You were allowed to take two friends with you, weren't you?"
Her sneer faltered, almost unnoticeable. But Jinora had spent enough time with Clarisse to be able to read her like she could her other friends.
"They didn't..." she shook her head. "I let them stay behind. To protect the camp."
"You mean," Percy cut in, "even the people in your own cabin wouldn't help you?"
Clarisse clenched her fists. "Shut up, Prissy! I don't need them! Or you!"
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Melancholy Kaleidescope | PJO
Random"Do you ever think before you do anything?" "Not really, no." . Jinora Hayes sought purpose and a chance to prove herself. She didn't expect that chance to be delivered gripping the horn of the Minotaur. . The Lightning Thief-The Last Olympian percy...
