We landed at Crissy Field after nightfall. As soon as Dr. Chase stepped out of his Sopwith Camel, Annabeth ran to him and gave him a huge hug.
Annabeth: Dad! You flew... you shot... oh my gods! That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!
Dr. Chase: Well, not bad for a middle-aged mortal, I suppose.
Annabeth: But the celestial bronze bullets! How did you get those?
Dr. Chase: Ah, well... you did leave quite a few half-blood weapons in your room in Virginia, the last time you... left.
Annabeth looked down, embarrassed.
Dr. Chase: I decided to try melting some down to make bullet casings. Just a little experiment.
He said it like it was no big deal, but he had a gleam in his eye. I could understand why Athena, Goddess of Crafts and Wisdom, had taken a liking to him. He made an excellent mad scientist.
Annabeth: Dad...
Thalia: Guys!
Her voice was urgent. She, Bianca, Andromeda, and Artemis were kneeling at Zoe's side, trying to wrap the huntress's wounds. We ran over to help, but there wasn't much we could do. We had no more ambrosia or nectar. No regular medicine would help. It was dark, but I could see that Zoe didn't look good. She was shivering, and the faint glow that usually hung around her was fading.
Percy: Can't you heal her with magic? I mean... you're a goddess.
Artemis looked troubled and I knelt next to Zoe.
Artemis: Life is a fragile thing, Percy. If the Fates will the string to be cut, there is little I can do. But I can try.
She tried to set her hand on Zoe's side, but Zoe gripped her wrist. She looked into the goddess's eyes, and some kind of understanding passed between them.
Zoe: Have I... served thee well?
Artemis: With great honor. The finest of my attendants-
I put my hand on the wound and Zoe groaned in pain. Artemis looked at me, her eyes glowing with rage.
Artemis: How dare-
She was cut off as my hand began glowing. I removed it, and the wound was gone. Zoe sat up.
Zoe: How...
YN: Part of my powers as an automaton. I can heal wounds, as long as they're recent.
Zoe got to her feet, still looking exhausted but no longer in pain.
Artemis: Thank you, YN. I am in your debt.
YN: Please, don't worry about it. It was nothing for a friend.
Zoe smiled at me. In the distance, thunder and lightning were still boiling over Mount Tamalpais.
Artemis: I must go to Olympus immediately. I will not be able to take you all, but I will send help. Bianca, Zoe, you may ride with me.
Bianca waved at us, then climbed up into the chariot with Zoe. The goddess set her hands on Annabeth's shoulders.
Artemis: You are brave beyond measure, young one. You will do what is right.
Then she looked quizzically at Thalia, as if she weren't sure what to make of the daughter of Zeus. Thalia seemed reluctant to look up, but something made her, and she held the goddess's eyes. I wasn't sure what passed between them, but Artemis' gaze softened with sympathy. Then she turned to Percy and I.
Artemis: You did well, for men.
Percy: Thank you, Lady Artemis.
YN: I'm honored.
She mounted her chariot, which began to glow. We averted our eyes. There was a flash of silver, and the goddess was gone.
Dr. Chase: Well. She was impressive, though I must say I still prefer Athena.
Then I heard the whoosh of large wings. Four Pegasi descended through the fog. Three white winged horses and one pure black one.
Percy: Blackjack!
The others mounted their Pegasi, and I floated into the air. Together we soared over the bay and flew toward the eastern hills. Soon San Francisco was only a glittering crescent behind us, with an occasional flicker of lightning in the north.
Andromeda: You gonna be able to make it all the way to Manhattan?
YN: Another perk of being an automaton. I don't get tired and I don't need to eat. Food tastes good though, so I still do it.
Thalia: There it is.
She was pointing toward Manhattan, which was quickly zooming into view.
Thalia: It's started.
YN: What's started?
High above the Empire State Building, Olympus was its own island of light, a floating mountain ablaze with torches and braziers, white marble palaces gleaming in the early morning air.
Thalia: The Winter Solstice. The Council of The Gods.
YOU ARE READING
The Automatons (Percy Jackson)
AdventureYN and Lazuli Vomi. The twin children of Hephaestus, who were born ill. They'd have died if their father didn't take them in and make some... improvements.
