The Half-Blood Project

1- Most Wanted

Percy Jackson

"I told you, Leo, I wanted it done by tomorrow," I growled, very angry at him. Leo's thin eyebrows sloped into a frown and his brown eyes drooped. 

"Sorry, but I can't control this. Even by my standards." Leo spoke in a quiet voice, an apology which I took. There was no room for 'sorry' in this team. It was a sign of weakness. I had learned it the hard way.

"Fine. But if it's not done by the end of the week, you have dish duty." I smiled thinly and walked away from the table that was smeared in oil, grease, and Leo's deodorant. Which was worse, I did not know. 

The warehouse was full of noise today, full of activity and laughter. A normal Saturday afternoon. Hazel and Jason were sparring in the makeshift gym that was nearly complete, sword against sword, Hazel just chuckled as she dodged Jason's strikes. He was good, but Hazel was better. 

Frank was in the kitchen eating, both hands having a ham sandwich in them, mayo dripping from the side. I smiled at him and he waved merrily. That boy could eat an entire buffalo and still be hungry for seconds. 

Will was attempting to teach Piper how to properly stitch a small wound. Piper kept wrinkling her nose and rolling her eye at Will. This made me smile, it was nice to see the two of them teaching each other how to do their respective talents. 

Nico was nowhere to be seen, most definitely sleeping away in the Bunker, his snores would be bouncing off the wall soon. 

The trainee's wherein the Bunker too, the Stoll boys, Lou Ellen, Malcolm, Nyssa, Harley, and several more. But they were on night duty tonight, so I being the generous leader I am, let them get a few hours of rest beforehand. 

Today was a good day, a day to relax, train, keep the eye off the prize for a moment. 

But tomorrow it was back to work, switching back to reality. And there was a mission, a mission planned for Tuesday night, their intended target was a known associate of their enemy, they had informants relaying information for the past week. 

They would extract the target, bring them back to base and integrate them in the whereabouts and goal of their enemy. 

I wanted this target now, the sooner the better, but as Leo so kindly pointed out, Tuesday was our only chance and if we messed it up without carefully planning it out, we would hit the bottom and have to start over again. 

"Hey, Percy! Care to join?" Jason called over from the mat, his golden, glowing gladius drawn. Hazel had been disarmed, her sword several feet from her. She looked impressed. Jason normally fought with a spear, so this was fairly different and new to him. 

I nodded and jogged over, bringing out my ballpoint pen. It usually deceived those who were tracking us, but everyone who worked for me knew better. 

Uncapping Riptide, it sprang to a bronze, leaf edged sword, sharp as hell. 

"Okay, three, two.....one!" Hazel blew a whistle and I sprung at my cousin. Blade against the blade, gold against bronze, bronze against gold. Jason was getting good, because usually a moment in, I could disarm him and have the sword at his throat. But now? His blocks and strikes were fluid, sharp, and coordinated. 

He's been studying my technique. This realization came quickly. I had to change tactics. 

I turned on my left heel and let Jason strike because I knew this defensive attack would leave him stumbling if I didn't block it. Jason stumbled forward, just as I predicted and he fell to the mat, face-first onto the soft foam. He turned wickedly fast onto his back his hand reaching for his gladius. But Riptide was pointed to his throat.