"Sir!" A cadet snapped to attention, brown eyes filled with wonder as Commander Perseus Jackson of the Olympian fleet walked past, bags underneath his eyes, and fatigues crumpled and wrinkled with the days.

"At ease cadet." The commander mumbled, his voice still clear, albeit hoarse.

"I was instructed to bring you to the main conference hall, sir."

The sea-green navy commander stopped, suspicious.
"And under whose authority, cadet?"

The cadet winced. "I...I am not a liberty to discuss such information, sir."

Eyeing the teenaged boy, Percy gestured for him to lead him to where he needed to be. But, just in case, the officer fingered his loaded shotgun. One could never be too careful.

Looking back at the exhausted man, the cadet blurted, "Sir! I would like to congratulate you upon returning safe."

At the cadet's outburst, Percy grinned, albeit exhaustedly. "Give the formalities a rest for now, cadet. Nobody will hear of this, OK?"

"Y-yes si-I mean, Mr. Jackson." The cadet gestured to the base's main conference room. "In here."

"Good day, Cadet-"

"Cadet Effertson, Commander Jackson, sir." The boy paused. "Oh, and happy 21st."

Percy stared down the hall as the boy left. 'Happy 21st?' Shrugging, the soldier pushed open the door.

"Happy Birthday!"

Startled, Percy slid out his gun, pointing it at the occupants of the conference hall. "Freeze! Nobody moves!"

Sighing, calloused hands reached over to tap the jilted commander on the shoulders. "Percy. Relax. It's just us."

Sheathing the gun, sea-green met stormy grey, as Annabeth grinned at her tired boyfriend.

"Please. Don't ever attempt to surprise me, because somebody will end up with a bullet inside of them. I guarantee it."

Rolling her eyes, the CIA assassin kissed Percy on the cheek. "Would you chill, Percy? Loosen up, it's your birthday. There's cake, and I managed to get Thalia and Nico here from the Air Force and Cavalry Force. Do you know how hard that was?"

Percy laughed, and Thalia slung her arm around her cousin. "Come on, Perce. Let's go!"

Overall, it was shaping up to a pretty great birthday.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY PERCY!