Mythology and Technology

I Hate Being a Guinea Pig

 Percy's P.O.V.

My day had been going so well. Me and Annabeth had a picnic lunch in Central Park, went to see Smurfs 2 at the theatre, and got some of the most amazing ice cream at this cute little café in downtown Manhattan. We had just gotten back to camp and were making our way to the arena for some light sparring before dinner when Leo and Lou Ellen come running up to me and Annabeth, their faces alight with excitement. 

"Hiya Percy! Some of us Hephaestus and Hecate cabin kids have been working on making a teleportation platform so we can visit Camp Jupiter, but we need someone to test it."

"Can't you get one of your siblings to do it?" I ask, confused. Leo shakes his head.

"There's only me, Harley, Lou Ellen, and her siblings Rosiwyn and Jax (It doesn't say what their names are in the books so I came up with my own). Lou and her siblings are all gonna be powering the platform while Harley and I run diagnostics."

"What about the other campers?"

"Most of the other campers are busy getting ready for the chariot race after dinner," Lou Ellen interjects. I shift uncomfortably. I didn't really like the idea of being a guinea pig, literally or figuratively. Seeing my discomfort, Lou Ellen smiles.

"Don't worry. We tested it on objects and some small animals first and haven't had any problems or accidents yet."

I nod, relaxing a bit. 

"Are we going directly to New Rome?" Annabeth asks, her brow furrowed. Lou Ellen smiles again.

"No, you'll only be teleporting a few feet in front of the platform."

Annabeth nods and turns to look at me, the silent question clear in her eyes. I sigh. "Alright. We'll help you guys out." 

Leo's face breaks out into his signature troublemaker grin.

"Thanks a lot man! Now lets this show on the road!" He runs down the hill towards a clearing situated between the lake and the arts and crafts area. A low bronze dais was set up on one side of the clearing, gleaming in the afternoon light. As the three of us walked after Leo towards the three campers standing next to the dais, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to go wrong. Annabeth sensed my unease and slid her hand into mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I give her a quick peck on the lips as we come to a stop in front of the dais, which had to be around five or six feet in diameter, and about a foot tall. Leo rubs his hands together in anticipation and turns to us.

"So who's going first?"

Me and Annabeth look at each other, debating. After coming to a silent decision, I sigh, stepping forward. 

"Guess I'll go."

"Awesome!"

Lou Ellen directs me onto the platform and takes her place at one side of the low dais. Her and her siblings begin to chant, the air becoming charged with energy. I glance one last time at Annabeth before I feel myself being pulled into darkness. At first it felt fine, other than the fact that the sensation of air pushing against my face reminded me of the few times I had shadow-traveled with Nico. However, that feeling of wrongness I'd had before surged up again, its potency like a kick to the stomach. I suddenly felt myself shift, popping back out into the light only to find myself ten feet in the air above a bush. I enter free-fall, tucking and rolling once I make impact to absorb my momentum and come up with several scrapes, twigs and leaves covering my body. Well that was fun. I start brushing of the greenery but stop when I look up and realize I wasn't in camp anymore. Something must have gone wrong, but where did I end up? I hope I'm not to far from camp. I am so gonna give Leo and Lou a piece of my mind when I get back.