Betrayal

5

Percy looked out at the amassed group of demigods before him. The entire Legion was arrayed for him to see. Behind him stood Frank and Reyna. They were the Praetors, but he would be their general. His name meant 'Destroyer,' and that's exactly what he'd make his troops into as well.

They had been training for three weeks under his tutelage. If they were a force to be feared before, now, there were few forces that could think to match their abilities. Once Percy perfected the idea behind his weapons, he'd give the plans Athena gave him to the Vulcan children, and anyone who carried a bow, or had powers that could be channeled would also carry one of the guns of their preference.

This would make even the demigods with what would seem like weak powers, into formidable foes if they were caught outside the formation. This would also allow Percy to run small unit tactics similar to the mortal's militaries well after the initial take over happened. He turned to Reyna. "I need four volunteers to test new weapons. The issue is that they have to have an ability they can conjure up. Even someone with healing powers will work. Actually, make sure one of the children of Apollo or his legacies that does have a healing power volunteer if possible."

Reyna nodded and relayed the information to the Legion, while Frank stepped forward to take the applicants. In total, nearly fifty demigods and legacies applied. It was narrowed down to ten, which Percy agreed would work, as it was small enough to work with and still enough to get a better idea than just four would have been. "The rest of them, put them through the normal training today please, hun. I will be back to relieve both of you," he said as Frank walked back towards the end of the conversation.

The Legion started drilling as Percy lead the ten volunteers away. "Okay. So, with the help of Vulcan and Minerva's assistance, I have made some better prototypes than the hasty ones I've created myself before. They are guns. But they are not used to fire bullets. You will channel your powers through them. The goal is to equip every demigod with tangible abilities with at least one. The only issue I see is your stamina. So for this to work, I need to see where you guys lie on the stamina scale to see how much training it will take to put this into an effective use."

He handed an assault rifle to the first person. "Now just push your power into it, aim, and fire at that dummy," he told a legacy of Apollo.

The boy did and soon a beam of light shot from the weapon and lit up the target. He kept at it, short beams hitting the target. Just as the boy started to sweat, the dummy burst into flames. Percy's eyes widened. 'Well, that could be useful, maybe in two different ways.' "Question. Do you have any abilities to heal?" he asked the tired demigod.

"No sir. My sister does though," he said, pointing to the only girl. Percy waved her up and handed her a pistol instead. Taking a knife he sliced his hand and pointed at it. "Point the gun here, push your ability into it, and shoot me."

The girl's hands were shaking and Percy thought she wouldn't be able to do it. He was about to tell her to forget it when she took a calming breath, focused and shot him. His hand started heal. The blood stopped flowing, the wound slowly closed up. Everyone was staring at it. Percy's smile was so wide it looked like it was going to split his face. "Perfect! Now, I'm going to give you a longer range weapon, move away, and then I want you to do it again. This might help us on the battle field, and keep our healers safe!" The girl's eyes shown with pride at the praise.

The idea was successful with all the demigods, though they had no where near the stamina he did. That was to be expected he figured, given he had thirteen lives worth of stamina. Not to mention, the...other thing. It took them a total of two hours before he was making his way back to the field. The Legion had completed it's morning drills and had been released to wash up before lunch. Today was a light day, with no afternoon exercises as it was Saturday. He walked up behind Reyna and pulled her tight to his chest, causing her to squeak in surprise at his stealthy approach.

She turned and glared at him. "Don't do that," she growled.

Percy flashed her his trademark smirk. "Hmm, I don't think I can promise that one. It's just too enjoyable to hear that cute little squeak you give me." He leaned in to her eye and whispered, "It makes me just want to have us disappear for some time."

A blush rose to her face and she shoved him away in embarrassment. "Not until we have a proper date and we work things out together with Athena or Minerva, whichever she will be with us."

"Knowing her, probably Athena. She hates how weak she is in her Roman form. Anyways, other than messing around, the test went better than expected. It'll work, given training and time. They won't last long as they are now, but by the time we can actually start rebelling against what is about to happen, they will be more than capable of lasting quite awhile using just the guns. Add in their training with their preferred weapons, we might have a better chance this time. I am starting to have a much better feeling about this time around. If only we could get the humans on our side. I just don't even have any idea to warn them without them attempting to kill me first or incarcerate me for insanity."

"It'll be fine, Percy. We will figure out a way. No matter what, I will be by your side until the end, whichever way it goes."

Percy smiled. "I know. Now lets go get some lunch. And we should go find you a nice dress today. Tomorrow I guess I'll take you on that date you want so badly."