Chapter 9: Not a part of the Plan

Redcroft Estate; Front Lawn. Slightly terrified

Piper felt a trickle of fear as Percy turned his green eyes in her direction. When he spoke his tone was casual almost friendly. Piper knew better. The steely glint in his eye told Piper he was anything but pleased to see them.
"Hey guys, it's been a while, good to see you again" none of them responded. "Leo, I haven't seen you since that night you all chased me out of camp. Gods, feels like a lifetime ago now huh?" Piper's blood froze as Percy's attention fixed on her "how's Jason doing?" he asked nonchalantly. Piper almost answered as though they were having a normal conversation, but caught herself. Percy didn't wait for a response in any case. His eyes slid to Annabeth. She was the only one he didn't smile at and this time Piper clearly saw the hate in his glare. "Annabeth" he said flatly, "stab anyone important in the back lately?" The tone was mocking but Piper got the feeling they hurt Percy to say almost as much as it hurt Annabeth to hear.
"Percy I-" Annabeth began, but Percy cut her off before she could even get started.
"Don't bother" his gaze came back to Piper and Leo again, "we expected someone from Camp Half-Blood to show up here but we didn't really think it'd be you" he admitted, completely ignoring both Alfred and Lady Redcroft. He twirled Riptide at his side "You know, we were kinda hoping it'd be someone we didn't know well. It would have made it a whole lot easier to -"
"ENOUGH!" Lady Redcroft's bellow cut Percy off mid monologue. He turned back to the older woman. Not that he seemed bothered by her outburst. Neither did the other new arrival. Thalia also had her eyes on the Countess but to Piper's relief she had holstered her weapons and seemed, like Percy, to be remarkably at ease despite Alfred facing her with his daggers drawn.
Percy cracked a sardonic half smile, "sorry your Ladyship" he said with a slight mocking bow, "just getting re-aquatinted. We'll get back to business."
Piper bit the inside of her cheek as she watched to see how Lady Redcroft would react.
The brigadier's jaw clenched at the impudence but she held herself in check "if you came here hoping to gain my allegiance then I am afraid you have wasted your time." She spoke calmly but her sword was still raised and ready.
"Well that was the original plan" Percy confessed "but since that doesn't seem to be possible anymore" he huffed a little, pretending to think, "huh guess we'll just take you out now and save ourselves the trouble later."

Piper couldn't believe what she was hearing! She stared at the person who claimed to be Percy. It must be his psychotic twin. His face was pretty much the same. A little older she supposed but she put that down to the passage of time. He had the same black hair, green eyes and easy smile but this man wore black jeans and a leather jacket and talked about murdering all of them like he was making a cup of coffee.
Maybe Annabeth is right. Maybe the old Percy really is gone for good. Then she spotted his eyes flick for a second toward Annabeth and saw the pain that gathered there. No he's still there, just buried deep. Lady Redcroft was still talking.
"Don't be a fool. You may have managed to sneak onto my estate but rest assured I will have no trouble defending myself, and my guests from the likes of you. And even if I were not, my men will be here in a matter of minutes."
Percy adopted an expression of mock horror but it was Thalia who spoke this time "oh-oh no" she stammered sarcastically, "All the dimwits with rifles in the house are coming to get us!" she laughed, a cold, humourless sound Piper had never heard her make before.
Percy dropped the act, his face turning stony "Those guys won't be helping anyone" he said coldly, Piper shivered "and the rest of them are likely too busy looking after my dog to get here anytime soon.
The brigadier's eyes widened "what?" she breathed.
"Yeeahhh, the moment we saw those guys," Thalia said gesturing vaguely at Piper, Leo and Annabeth "we realised our plan was out"
"So we improvised" finished Percy. There was a sound like metal plates sliding rapidly over one another. Piper glanced around. Thalia now had her spear and shield ready.
"Anyway, the sooner we're done here the sooner we can eat," Percy brought his sword up with a flourish "let's go!" And he lunged, quick as a viper, at Redcroft.

Sparks flew as their blades met and Piper couldn't help a tiny squeak of fear. Half a second later more metal collided as Thalia struck at Alfred. The elderly man caught the spear on his dagger blades and kicked her away. She stumbled, clearly not having expected him to present much of a threat.
Same mistake I made. Piper thought.
Thalia glared at the old man, her blue eyes literally flashing with hatred.
What in- But Piper's thought was interrupted by Alfred as he stepped in front of them to shield them from attack.
"I suggest you withdraw" he said over his shoulder not taking his eyes from Thalia. The daughter of Zeus struck again and Alfred countered. The two combatants began to move away locked in spear on dagger combat. Off to her right Lady Redcroft and Percy were engaged in a furious swordfight. Piper gathered her legs beneath her and hauled herself to her feet.
"We need to help" she said reaching for Katoptris, even though the wound in her leg still throbbed when she moved.
"No we can't" Annabeth replied, starting to stand too, "That fight earlier took everything I had. I hate to say it but we had better get out of here"
"No complaints here" said Leo.
"But-" she was interrupted when a jet of water swept her legs from beneath her and she fell hard on her backside. Percy had sent a jet from the nearby water feature at Redcroft who dodged the attack and left Piper to catch it instead. The brigadier span away from Percy's upward slash and launched her own attack but Percy had gained an advantage, breaking her stride with the water. The world darkened a little and the Piper, Leo and Annabeth glanced up to see a small body of black clouds forming overhead.
Annabeth spun back to Alfred, "watch out" she yelled to the butler, "She's a child of Zeus with control over air and electricity!" Piper had no idea if Alfred had even heard her. He was almost a blur as he slashed at Thalia. Annabeth was suddenly slammed, hard, against the side of the Bentley by another spout of water, cracking the driver side window.
"Annabeth!" Piper and Leo exclaimed grabbing her by the arms and steadying her before she could slide to the floor.
"I'm ok" she insisted, though she looked dazed.
"Selling us out again Annabeth?" Percy yelled, ducking another blow from Redcroft. He was getting closer Piper realised. Inch by inch he was gaining ground against Lady Redcroft, forcing her back. She whipped around to see that it was the same story with Thalia and Alfred.

"Let's go" Annabeth ordered and the three of them sprinted back toward the manor. They paused at the foot of the stairs and Piper's stomach churned as she spotted Corporal Black slumped against the wall in the far corner of the room. A red smear staining the stonework above him.
"Where do we go?" Leo asked frantically, leaning against the banister and panting, "Percy and Thalia are going to take those two apart. And we're next!"
"Calm down!" Annabeth snapped
"Calm down?" Leo repeated as the sound of gunfire erupted "I think this situation is panic appropriate!"
"No situation is worth panicking in" Annabeth told him, "There must be another exit. Let's head around back and-" an explosion outside made the place shake.
"What was that?" Piper shrieked, turning her eyes back on the still open front door. Very ominous looking smoke was billowing outside now, blocking their view.
"I don't know" Annabeth said gravely "but it stopped the fighting." Piper realised she was right. The clash of steel and the cracks of gunfire had ceased and an eerie silence engulfed the manor. Only for a moment tough as soon the sound of boots on stone filled the entryway and both Redcroft and Alfred appeared in the doorway, weapons still drawn, now with several soldiers in tow.
"What happened?" Annabeth asked jogging over to them.
"Sergeant Ferris and his squad arrived" Lady Redcroft explained rapidly, ushering her men inside "and we were beginning to gain the upper hand when that girl somehow blew their vehicle apart with lightning. By the time we had recovered our wits they had vanished."
"But that's not right" Piper could hear the incredulity in Annabeth's voice "Percy's a lot of things but a coward isn't one. And Thalia has never run from a fight"
"Which is why you must leave before they return" Alfred insisted, somehow looking unrumpled and dignified despite the fight he'd just been in.
"How?" Piper asked.
"My Helicopter is on the roof" Lady Redcroft said, "that would be the fastest way to get you out of here"
"Bad idea" Annabeth said instantly, "if Thalia is still around she could knock us out of the air." Lady Redcroft looked frustrated.
"Well we can't go out the front; I won't risk my men if those two are still lurking out there. Ferris" she turned to a man with three stripes on his arm, "are there any other vehicles in proximity to the manor?"
"No ma'am" Sergeant Ferris answered "the duty group for the manor were part of this morning's foot patrol."
"Blast!" swore Lady Redcroft.
"Sounds like the chopper's our only option" remarked Leo, sounding none too pleased about it.
"Well then" said Piper "let's get out of here before . . ." She trailed off as she turned to see Percy blocking their path smirking.
"Before we came back?" he said, maliciously.

Piper would have reacted had the spear shaft she suddenly found jammed under her chin not made it difficult to do much more than breathe.
"Piper!" Yelled Leo lurching toward her to intervene. Quicker than blinking something flashed from Alfred's hand. The pressure on Piper's throat lessened as Thalia ducked to avoid the butler's dagger which whipped past and thudded into the bannister an inch from her head. Piper used the extra room to kick Thalia, hard. Thalia huffed in pain, letting go, and Piper scrambled out of her reach.
"Ferris!" the brigadier yelled the moment she was clear.
"Ma'am" the soldier responded, giving a single hand signal to his men. Percy's eyes widened in alarm as the squad of half a dozen men and women levelled their weapons at him and Thalia. He dove into an alcove as the unit opened fire. Thalia followed close behind, bullets pinging loudly off Aegis. Piper could hardly bring herself to stay where she was. Percy and Thalia may have gone bad, but she had no desire to see them get shot. A bullet fired from the alcove nearly hit her in the head.
Then again, maybe I do.
The group scattered diving for cover as another round came their way.
Lady Redcroft was still barking orders at the sergeant "cover us until we're clear then withdraw. You will not last a minute in close combat with them!"
"Yes ma'am. Squad, covering fire!"
"MOVE!" Lady Redcroft yelled as the soldiers switched to automatic fire and filled the whole entryway with bullets. The five of them charged for the stairs. At the top Piper spared a quick backward glance over her shoulder in time to see a bullet with a crackling blue tracer thud into one of the soldiers and she fell, her blood splattering across the breastplate of a nearby suit of armour. Piper clamped a hand over her mouth to stop the scream and ran after her friends.

This is insane Piper thought, haring up another set of stairs after Annabeth We've fought monsters and gods and now we're running like scared satyrs from people who should be our best friends. They ran along another corridor and up yet another set of stairs. They burst through a steel door onto the roof of the manor. The sun had gone down completely now. Alfred pulled open a box on the wall and flipped a switch inside. Floodlights blazed, illuminating the whole rooftop.
"That's not possible" said Lady Redcroft dumbfounded. Piper looked where she was looking. In front of them was a large Helicopter, painted in military colours and baring the Redcroft coat of arms. In front of that stood -
"Surprise" said Percy. BANG! The group whipped round. Thalia had closed the door they had come through and put a bullet in the electronic lock short circuiting it.
What in Tartarus is going on? Piper thought, have they learned to teleport?
Percy had produced his sword yet again. Thalia, now standing beside him, twirled her spear like a baton.
"Nowhere left to go" Percy pointed out gesturing around.
"Who wants to go first?" asked Thalia. Nobody moved.
"We wouldn't have pegged you for a coward your ladyship" Thalia mocked.
"Yeah you seemed like a fighter" Percy finished.
"I assure you I am no coward" the brigadier growled through gritted teeth.
"Well, we've got nothing better to do" Thalia said.
"So come and prove it" Percy goaded.

Lady Redcroft charged at Percy. Alfred went after Thalia again leaving Leo, Annabeth and Piper huddled in the corner of the roof. As Redcroft took a swipe at Percy and her sword made a gash in the side of the helicopter Annabeth straightened and pulled out her knife (she'd left her sword with the rest of their stuff back in the entrance hall).
"I'm sick of doing nothing" she growled. Piper and Leo looked at each other.
"Better than waiting to get killed" Said Leo, producing his hammers. Piper nodded grimly and drew Katoptris. They were just about to rush into battle when Thalia screamed in pain, almost drowning out Annabeth's chocking gasp of horror. At first Piper thought Alfred had gotten her, she was clutching her side but there was no blood. She didn't even have her weapon drawn but there was some distance between her and Alfred. Maybe she'd been going for her gun? When she looked up her eyes were filled with tears.
"Percy" she gasped. One word filled with anguish and pain. Piper looked to the other side of the roof. Percy and Lady Redcroft were no longer fighting. They were standing close together at the edge of the roof, Percy supported by the blade of Lady Redcroft's sword.
"NO" both Annabeth and Thalia screamed together. Percy dropped riptide. He looked down at the blade protruding from his body. He looked back up into Lady Redcroft's face.
"That wasn't part of the plan," with a sickening, wet, snick that Piper knew she would take to her grave Percy slid from the tip of the countess's blade and tumbled backward over the edge of the roof.

Redcroft estate; rooftop landing pad

Percy looked down dumbly at the silver sword that had just pierced his side. The pain should have been agonising he knew but the sheer shock that he'd actually been stabbed seemed to be keeping it at bay. He looked up from the blade into the face of the brigadier and saw his own shock reflected in her eyes.
"That wasn't part of the plan" he mumbled weakly. Then his legs gave way.
PERCY! Thalia's agonised voice filled his mind. He knew she was moving before he even began to fall. On the very edge of the pain numbness that was rapidly engulfing his mind he could feel her surge forward desperate to catch him.
But we're on the roof . . . and she's scared of heights. Apparently on this occasion she forgot about that fear. She dove over the edge after him, propelled downward on a blast of wind. Those few seconds felt like an eon but a foot from the ground she caught him and another blast of air sent the pair of them shooting straight back up like a cork from a bottle.
Thalia? Percy thought blearily, the rushing was threatening to make him lose consciousness.
It's alright she assured him I've got you.
But we're flying
I guess we are
But you hate heights
I'm also trying not to think about it! We need to get out of here.
They dropped to the ground just as twenty soldiers came around the corner. Just as expected they opened fire.
Shit this wasn't supposed to happen! She dragged Percy behind the Bentley as the platoon opened fire. Percy tried to focus his attention on Thalia as she cast her gaze around desperately. The flood lamps were illuminating the entire area. There wasn't a single shadow to escape into.
We're screwed aren't we? Percy asked.
Not Yet. Stay down Thalia answered, reaching for her pistols again.
Not likely to get up.

Thalia ignored his griping. She drew her weapons and fired all her remaining bullets. She didn't need to hit anyone she just needed to keep their heads down for a while.
Come ooon she thought. Percy got her frustration. Her lightning might be powerful but sometimes it took way too long to gather the energy. Percy peeked around the bumper to see what was happening, though just doing that was excruciating.
Stop moving, you're throwing me off!
Sorry. The soldiers who had been in the first group noticed what was happening and dived for cover inside the manor, the others following quickly behind.
There! She sent a final bolt straight down on the steps of the manor. By comparison to her usual blasts, Percy noticed, this one was small. It was still enough to ignite the doors and send masonry tumbling down though. Hold onto me. Time for a trick I learned in Wyoming Thalia said. Percy wasn't sure holding was in his range of motion at the moment.
I'll try though. Thalia scrambled aboard the motor bike hauling Percy after her. She yanked riptide out of Percy's pocket and jammed the tip into the ignition.
I knew I should have brought combat knives! She sent a charge through the blade jumpstarting the bike, capped Riptide and they roared away. A few shots, fired from the windows of the manor, whizzed past but thanks to the smoke and debris nothing hit.
You can ride a motorbike?
You think? I'll tell you later. Hang onto me! She wrenched the accelerator hurtling out of the light and into the night.
At least AJ and Vixen are having better luck than us Percy thought as the bike entered the blackness beneath the trees.

Wrong as it turned out.

Amazon underground warehouses

"Wait!" Hilla's commanding voice carried across the throne room easily, even though she didn't shout. Jason froze where he stood, gladius already drawn, tense and ready to attack. From where he was standing near the throne room doors though Jason could see that they were at a big disadvantage against their opponents. Hazel and Reyna both had their weapons out but they too wielded only swords. Reyna's Imperial Gold dagger was at her hip but it would be even less use than the gladius she was holding. Hazel had her spatha ready, and in a pinch Jason supposed her ability to manipulate the Mist may be of some help. None of them had thought to bring a bow or any sort of ranged weapon. Percy's lieutenants were at the other end of the room, at the base of the throne's plinth. The fox girl (Violet Jason thought her name was) had produced a pair of long, slightly curved and rather threatening bronze blades. Gold Tassels dangled from their hilts, and even from 50ft away Jason could see the pale emeralds inset into them. There was no way they weren't custom made, but how durable were those blades and what was this girls combat style? If She was using two then Jason could hazard a guess; hard and fast with a lot of slashing, all offence, minimal defence, the exact opposite of Roman tactics.
Great. The other had produced a large gun; a shining revolver. Jason had no idea how accurate such a weapon was, nor its range but he could tell by the woman's confident and unwavering stance that she was very familiar with the weapon and very confident in using it.

"The swords are Liu Ye Dao" Reyna hissed to Jason and Hazel "Chinese by origin and meant for slashing attacks but it's a single edged weapon. I've never seen them used in pairs before" Jason's eyes slid from the weapon to Reyna confused but she didn't look at him. She was now staring hard at the gun. "And the revolver is a modified Coly Python 6inch. The.375 rounds it fires are tipped with celestial bronze, your armour won't stop them"
"What" Jason couldn't stop himself, "how do you . . .?"
"My mother is Bellona remember?"
"Oh yeah"
"I know my weapons, even if I've never seen them before."
That gun would be the problem. Demigods don't traditionally use firearms. In fact Jason had never encountered one who did, and none of his legion training or prior experience had covered what to do when faced with one. The closest he had ever come was learning to avoid archers in an open space. And arrows moved much slower than bullets. If an attack came Jason had no idea what he would do. But for the moment no one moved except for Hilla, who descended the steps of her plinth calmly. She hadn't drawn a weapon herself but her guards had and they flanked her so closely they almost brushed her shoulders on either side as they descended with her, remaining mere inches away when she stopped.

"Sister, what are you doing here?" Hilla looked confused, but at her sister's words Reyna looked even more so.
"We received the message you forwarded and came straight here to prevent these traitors" she gestured at the two unfamiliar females "from accomplishing their goal."
"Rest assured dear sister I am not being manipulated" Hilla said "these two have already received my answer in no uncertain terms and they will be leaving"
"Like hell we will queenie" Violet suddenly barked, still not taking her eyes off Jason.
"Vixen hush up" snapped the redheaded woman, "right now the only thing we can do is get outta here. Ah got no intention o' diein' today"
"Not happening Calamity Jane" called Jason "the only way you're leaving here is with us. In chains" Hilla's eyes snapped to Jason. They flashed furiously and Jason saw her clench her fist as though she wanted to punish him for speaking without permission. She probably did.
"Grace" she growled at first but seemed to calm herself as she went on, "these women are here as diplomatic representatives and as such are protected by a non-aggression agreement." Jason was astounded.
Non-aggression? One of them is pointing a gun at us!
Hilla continued, "And as long as they do not violate it they are free to leave here"
Reyna looked as astonished as Jason felt "but sister, those two women you are protecting are some of Per, Jackson's top lieutenants. The information they no doubt have could be vital!"
"Helllooo standing right here" Violet called, glowering at them "we can hear you you know?"
"silence" Hilla said, tonelessly to Violet before turning back to Reyna. "I'm sorry sister, detestable as they may be, to detain them unprovoked at the request of an outside agent would be an act of war. One I do not wish to make."
Reyna's face was set "Hilla, we can't allow them to get away when they are right there!"

Hilla looked about to answer but the redhead in the cowgirl hat spoke first.
"Sooo, what yer sayin is" she began slowly, pulling her hat lower on her head "even if the Amazons ain't gonna stop us leavin' you will?"
"Pretty much" Jason agreed. Five seconds later he wished he hadn't.
"Right then" the Texan said, lowering her gun slightly "in that case, sorry 'bout this yer highness"
"What . . .?"
BANG!
Before Hilla could even turn the woman had brought the gun back up and put a bullet right between the eyes of the guard nearest her. Before the body even hit the floor the Texan had grabbed Hilla around the neck and pressed the weapon hard against the queen's temple. The remaining guard began to move but Violet slashed at her with blinding speed and the other guard went down clutching her throat, blood leaking from between her fingers.
"Fuck!" Jason swore. The guard's death reminded him, horribly, of Nico. Violet didn't look to happy about it either. The Jupiter demigods lurched forward to intervene but the cowgirl (Jason didn't really know how else to think of her) cocked the hammer on her weapon manually.
"Back off" she warned "or Hilla twice killed'll be Hilla actually killed!" Everyone froze again. "Drop ya weapons" she ordered. Nobody moved. "NOW!" she yelled. Reluctantly they obeyed. "Vixen, get the door. Someone'lla heard that." Violet, or Vixen Jason supposed now, stepped out of her high heels and tossed them into a corner before sprinting on bare feet to the door, pushing them open and glancing around before signalling to her comrade. The other began to slowly make her way to the doors, shoving Hilla along in front of her. The Amazon queen looked furious but her captor's grip must have been exceptionally strong because the queen's face was changing colour. As she passed him Jason thought about leaping on her from behind but he caught Reyna's eye and she shook her head almost imperceptibly, fear for her sister's life stark on her features.

Captor and hostage reached the door without incident.
"Sorry t' have bothered y'all" AJ apologised, though with her arm still around Hilla's neck it could hardly be considered genuine, "we'll just be goin'" she shoved the queen away but a bullet found it's mark in her leg and she collapsed, screaming in pain. Vixen and the other woman scarpered just as another door burst open at the far end of the throne room and another half dozen Amazons charged through making straight for their leader.
"Hilla!" shrieked Reyna running toward her sister.
"Never mind me" hilla gasped, clutching her leg "get after them!" she snapped for the attention of the Amazon who was brandishing her weapon at Jason as though he had shot Hilla. "Sound the alarm" she ordered through gritted teeth "and bring those women back alive!" Without a word the warrior sprinted off and a second later a loud claxon began blaring at regular intervals. Jason, Reyna and Hazel sprinted from the room in pursuit of the assailants. As they rounded a corner they came into view sprinting across the warehouse floor ahead of them. Jason ran harder, trying to close the gap.
"Stop" he yelled. He didn't really expect them to but the red haired rancher did, much to his surprise. Surprise quickly turned to horror and the three of them dove aside as she pointed her weapon at them. Two shot thudded into a pallet of duvets, showering all three of them with fluff. Jason waited just a second before re-emerging just in time to see them turn off and sprint down one of the rows of ceiling high shelving.

As the three demigods gave chase once more an entire platoon of amazons burst through some double doors just ahead of them. Jason and the others skidded to a halt in front of them.
"Where are they?" demanded the lead Amazon.
"They ran deeper into the warehouse, over there" Jason answered automatically, assuming they were talking to him "we need to –". He felt Reyna's hand on his shoulder.
"Jason let me" she murmured in his ear. He looked back and saw that every warrior in the platoon was looking at him with expressions ranging from disapproval to disgust.
Yeesh he thought ok, maybe I should let Reyna take the lead on this one.
Reyna had already started giving orders.
"I need at least half a dozen archers on the catwalks. Track them and don't let them out of your sight. Use your shots to herd them into your allies where you can" Six women with bows immediately vanished back through the doors. "The rest of you split into two teams, half with Hazel, take the far side of the warehouse. The rest of you follow me and Jason. We'll close in from this end"
"Right" they all barked in unison. Twelve warriors followed Hazel when she took off again and the remaining dozen fell into step behind Reyna and Jason as they started to run down the aisle Jason had spotted their targets disappearing into.

Jason was amazed they found them at all. Whilst it was easy enough to get from one end of the warehouse to the other by just following the main thoroughfare, trying not to get turned around in the maze of shelves, machines and conveyor belts was like trying to navigate the labyrinth. Daedalus would have been impressed. If it hadn't been for the occasional gunshot and the Amazons on the catwalks overhead frequently yelling and firing arrows giving them some idea of where their targets were Jason was almost certain they would have lost them. As it was they had to double back more than once when a collapsed shelf blocked their path.
"We need to put a stop to this soon" Reyna panted "I can't keep running like this!" At that moment they rounded another corner and almost ran headlong into their target. They had stopped at an intersection between four shelves, blocked on three sides by Hazel's squad and about sixty more Amazons who must have arrived from elsewhere.
"Give up" ordered one of the Amazons in Jason's squad "you've got nowhere to go. Surrender now and you will be dealt with fairly"
somehow I doubt they'll do that. But Jason was apparently on a losing streak with his predictions because the two renegades laid down the weapons and raised their hands.
"Ah was outta ammo anyway" Jason heard the taller mutter.
"Turn around slowly and place your hands on your heads" the warrior continued "don't try anything."
"O'course not" the redhead said turning slowly so Jason could see her face, Ah wouldn't want things getting' heated" she quipped with a wicked grin.
Uh oh.

Instead of placing her hands on her head she thrust them out before her and gouts of orange flame erupted from the tips of her fingers, setting everything ablaze. Jason yelled in shock, as did most of the Amazons, retreating from the sudden inferno.
"She's a fire user!?" Reyna was beating at the end of her praetor's cloak. An ember had landed on it and it was smoking, "I thought you said Leo was the only one who currently had that ability"
"Well apparently not!" Jason shouted angrily. He would need to have a serious talk with his fireproof cousin when they got back to camp. A few seconds later the sprinklers kicked in soaking them all to the skin and dousing the flames. The two renegades had vanished again. Reyna called out to the archers on the catwalks but they hadn't been able to see through the smoke which way they had gone.
"They'll be heading for the exit" Hazel observed as they took the lead of a now massive band of warriors.
"Well the only one they can use is the far one that leads to the surface building" the nearest warrior called "all the rest will be guarded by about twenty Amazons each." When they had been running for several minutes Jason was beginning to worry they would get away. Then Jason spotted Vixen once again. She wasn't far from the exit, in a section filled with barbeque equipment.
There's something funny about that Jason thought. They were still some ways distant but Jason could see that the girl who had shot the flames at them wasn't with her any more. More than likely they had split up to try and thin out any pursuers. Not that it had done her partner any good because she was surrounded again, this time by a group of the Amazon's battle forklifts.

"Now we've got her" Jason crowed. But almost as soon as he said it he was proven wrong yet again. They were still 100 meters away when Violet sheathed her swords and leapt forward. One of the Ballistae fired but the bolt went low and Jason watched her shoot forward, handspring off a crate and kick the driver of the offending vehicle clean out of his chair. Without a break in her movement she grabbed the roof and flipped up onto it, making equally short work of the gunner, before leaping clear as several more bolts thudded into the vehicle. She cleared the distance to the next forklift in about two seconds and smashed the driver's head into his control panel and yanks him aside. Then she went to work on the others, moving so fast she was little more than a red and orange blur. The group had closed to the edge of the open space when the last forklift swivelled toward Vixen and fired again the operator too terrified of this demoness with red fur to worry about taking her alive. Unsurprisingly it missed as Vixen dove backwards to avoid it.
"AJ watch out!" She suddenly yelled landing her backward somersault and watching in the direction of the errant ballista bolt. Jason snapped his gaze around to see the redhead, AJ, had come haring out from between some shelves right into its path. Jason watched in horror as it took her hat off but continued on toward a large cage of blue tanks.
"GET DOWN!" Jason screamed and everyone hit the floor as the bolt punctured the wire mesh and detonated several dozen propane tanks. AJ screamed in agony as she was engulfed by the explosion. The flames wouldn't harm her Jason knew, but shrapnel and debris were an entirely different matter.
"Oh Gods" gasped Hazel clapping a hand to her mouth in horror. The explosion blasted stock everywhere, causing shelves to collapse and others to catch fire right up to the ceiling this time. The already depleted sprinkler systems couldn't handle the flames this time and they spread rapidly creating an impassable wall of flame and rubble. Jason pushed himself to his feet and squinted trying to make out any sign that someone had survived. For a moment he glanced up and thought he saw several figures on one of the overhead catwalk dropping down into the warehouse on the far side of the flames but he flinched when something else exploded nearby and when he looked again they were gone.

"Do you think . . .?" Jason didn't finish his question.
"I didn't sense any deaths" Hazel told him, sounding uncertain.
"Are they there now?" Reyna demanded.
"I can't sense any living aura beyond the flames" Hazel answered.
"How can that be possible? That one caught near the explosion must have been critical. How could they get away?"
"I don't know" Hazel said "but there are some Amazons fifty meters that way," she pointed "who are dangerously close to death. They won't make it if we don't get to them now"
Reyna swore "Get the heavy duty fire equipment out" she barked to one of the Amazons behind her "call the fire department and get anything odd to mortal eyes cleared away now!" Jason couldn't remember the last time she had been this angry. "In our own territory and they still got away! If I ever see those two again I will kill them with my bare hands!"

Infirmary; still under Seattle, two hours later

Two hours of firefighting and helping wounded found them in the infirmary seated around Hilla's bed listening to her arguing with one of her medical staff.
"It was just my leg" she insisted, "I've already had ambrosia and the wound has been treated! I need to see to my people"
The nurse was white with fear but, to her credit, she held her ground "my queen I must insist you remain in bed for the time being. Putting unnecessary strain on the muscles, even with an accelerated healing rate, could lead to severe complications."
Hilla looked furious but she sat back against her pillow "very well" she grunted. As the nurse gave a slight sigh of relief and pushed out through the curtain Hilla turned her eyes on her aide who was checking the information coming in on her tablet. "Has the damage assessment been completed?" Hilla asked.
"The fires are all out my queen but at present we only have an estimate" the aide answered
"What about my warriors, any deaths?"
"No my queen" the aide assured her, checking another window on her screen, "at least not yet. Updates from the chief of medical staff say that there are some lacerations, a spinal injury and several with second degree burns from both the explosion the daughter of Vulcan's fire attack. Most of those in critical condition have been stabilised but she says she's still worried about a couple of them" she was quiet for a second, "oh and one of the men suffered a skull fracture and another lost an arm" she added as an afterthought.
"Well that's some relief at least" Hilla said "at least we didn't lose anyone.

Jason saw the aide grimace but she didn't say anything "what is it?" he asked. The aide's look immediately changed to a frown but she ignored him.
Hilla was glaring at her aide now "What is it?" she demanded. The aide shot Jason a look that made it clear she'd like nothing more than to shove a sword through his gut for dropping her in it. "What are you not telling me Mira?" Hilla growled.
"F-forgive me my queen" the aide stammered, "I didn't tell you because we're not entirely certain yet but it seems as though some of our people are . . . unaccounted for"
"How many?"
"13"
"Oh no"
"Hilla?" Reyna asked looking into her sister's face.
Hilla's attention was wholly on her aide "who exactly?"
"Well" said Mira swiping a finger across the screen of her tablet "Kinzie hasn't been seen since her audience with you,"
"That does not surprise me. Who else?" She asked calmly but Jason could see she had already formulated her own theory. And she didn't like it.
"Harley Blitz, Scarlet Gisham, Susan Pennyfeather (Jason almost laughed), Akane Kurosawa, Dominique Chevalier, Katya Shanina . . ."
As Mira continued to read off the names Hilla groaned loudly "of course it would be them. That's enough Mira, I get the picture. It was all of them, correct?"
"Yes my queen"
"All of who?" Jason asked.
"The Daughters Of Darkness" Hilla told him, looking worried "a dozen of the deadliest, most highly trained and morally lax women you are ever likely to meet" her expression turned sour "apparently they lack loyalty too"
"Why is them being gone so bad?"
Hilla looked at him like he was stupid "the DOD did all of our black ops work and all the missions the other women found too . . . distasteful. They're a bunch of blood thirsty sociopaths who I was barely able to keep on a leash most of the time. They always felt more like mercenaries than actual members of the Amazon nation."
"Oh" said Jason meekly "shit." After a moment a thought struck him "they must have been the figures I saw dropping down into the fire from the catwalk"
"Well that would explain how they got away so fast" Reyna surmised, "these other women must have helped them"
"Without a doubt" agreed Hilla.

Reyna pushed herself from her chair and motioned at Jason and Hazel to follow.
"We need to get back to camp Jupiter. A message must be sent to camp Half-Blood to warn them and we must redouble our fortification efforts. Percy has wrong footed today but he is still gaining support."
"Well you have mine without a doubt" Hilla told them, "this attack was an act of war. The Amazon nation is behind you"
"Thank you dear sister" Reyna said, smiling "will you be ok if we leave?" she still looked concerned.
"Of course" Hilla said, shortly but her expression was warm "I'll send a liaison to Camp Jupiter as soon as I can. You should get going. Your Pegasii are in the stables under the parking lot so they should be fine." Reyna gave her sister one final nod and turned to push her way out through the curtain. Jason and Hazel followed. Hazel certainly seemed to have calmed down since they arrived but Jason noticed that her eyes kept flicking between Reyna and Jason as though she expected one of them to round on her. It occurred to Jason then how confused Hilla had looked when Reyna had mentioned the warning she'd sent. Hilla hadn't mentioned it in the time since then but Jason got the feeling that she hadn't sent any message. But if Hilla hadn't sent a message to Jupiter about AJ and Vixen then where had Hazel gotten the information from?
"Come on Jason" Reyna said, interrupting Jason's dark thoughts "we need to be ready for the next move Percy makes. I don't think turning the entire Amazon nation hostile will have been part of the plan.

Aboard the Tempest; somewhere along the Thames

Thalia laid Percy out gently on the bed. He lay breathing shallowly his unfocused gaze staring straight at the roof. A layer of sweat coated his face, turned the colour of milk by blood loss and pain. Thalia had staunched the bleeding as best she could until they made it back to the water. She had then spent an hour crouching over him as he lay with his hands in it allowing his almost forgotten healing abilities to close the wound and start to repair his body. They didn't have any Ambrosia or Nectar, they hadn't since they'd been exiled, and the lost blood combined with the damage to Percy's insides would take time to heal. He was still in agony and it was affecting Thalia's ability to think straight. When she rolled him onto his side to check his back injury he hissed air through his teeth but didn't cry out. Thalia winced and almost grabbed her own side, she'd felt it too.
"I don't get it" Percy said aloud, his voice was weak but clearly frustrated, "what happened to the Curse of Achillies?"
"I've got no idea" admitted Thalia, also aloud, running her finger over the new scar tissue on Percy's back. They both winced again at the contact but Percy didn't make a sound this time. She laid him flat on his back again and looked him over critically. "Your external injuries have closed finally" she told him, "how are your internal wounds?"
"Can't you tell?" asked Percy.
Thalia rolled her eyes dumbass.
"Of course I can, I was just being polite"
"Yeah, thanks nurse" Percy said, with just a hint of amused sarcasm. Thalia resisted the urge to purposefully give him a static shock for being snarky with her. "Ok, fine sorry" Percy said, alarmed. A static shock was the last thing he wanted right now.
"Hmm ok" Thalia said waggling a finger threateningly in his direction "but if you keep being cheeky I might just do it" they both knew she was kidding. She wouldn't give him a shock.
Not right now anyway, though the idea amused her.

She winced again. Percy pushed himself up and propped his back against the headboard, his clothes leaving a bloody mark on the pristine white bedsheets.
"The water really helped" Percy said "it should be fine in a few minutes."
Thalia rolled her eyes again "Percy you were always a terrible liar, so trying to lie to the girl you share a soul with is stupid even for you"
A sheepish grin appeared on Percy's face. "ok a few hours, maybe a day. I've never tried healing an injury this bad with water before and I'll need more before long. It's taking a big amount of concentration to keep from doing more damage to my internal organs than that blonde haired bitch's sword did!"
"Well there's a whole river out there for you to heal from and an ocean beyond that" she let a little of her concern turn to anger and fixed him with her best reproving glare, "of course this wouldn't have happened at all if you hadn't gotten cocky and let your guard slip." Percy frowned, irritated at her for the criticism.
"I didn't let my guard slip" he said indignantly, "she just got lucky"
"No she wasn't lucky; you didn't have it up at all!" Thalia snapped getting genuinely angry at Percy now for being so arrogant.
"I am not arrogant!" managing to speak quite loudly considering his state
"No, you just thought you were invincible and it left you sloppy!"
"I was invincible!" Percy reminded her.
"No you were stupid and cocky and deserved to get smacked down for being a prick!" Percy's eyes flared, anger and a power beyond that of any other demigod setting them aglow. Thalia felt her own rage rise in response and knew she would be doing the same. She wanted to smack him stupid for endangering their mission and, more importantly, his own life.

Just like that the light behind Percy's eyes went out and his rage deflated. He knew she was right.
"I do" he admitted aloud, "and that's why it makes me angry. I'm angry at myself for being an idiot, not at you"
"I get it" Thalia said, calming down herself. Of course she did, and not just because they shared a soul now, because she had had the exact same feelings before.
"I find it hard to imagine you messing up" Percy remarked jokingly.
"It's happened" she said "remind me to find the memory for you sometime"
"Sure" the pair of them were quiet for a moment. Thalia couldn't help staring at the bloody hole in Percy's shirt and the stain on the bedsheets. She couldn't stop her mind wandering off to what could have happened if Lady Redcroft had wounded him more severely.
"Hey" Percy said suddenly, loudly. Thalia's eyes snapped up to his and she saw his expression, the softest it had been in months, was reassuring. "It didn't happen" he said "I'm still here and still alive, so let's go home ok?"
The knot in Thalia's stomach loosened "ok" she agreed. She should have said no because, to her horror, Percy immediately started trying to get off of the bed. "What are you doing?" she shrieked, grabbing him by the shoulder and forcing him to sit back down, "you said you need to concentrate on healing!"
"I also need to sail this boat back to the island" he pointed out.
"No you don't" Thalia insisted, adamant that he shouldn't move, "I'll do it"
Percy stared at her "Thalia, you've never used a driven a boat in your life"
"I don't care. The last thing I-, we want is you being crippled because you tried to do too much." Percy stared at her for another minute trying, and failing, to conceal that he thought she was being ridiculous.

After another minute of awkward silence he tried to get up again but this time Thalia grabbed both his shoulders and shoved him right down so he was lying flat on the bed. She stared him in the face.
"Stop trying to be everyone's hero. Let someone, equally capable, take the responsibility for once." Percy stared right back but still remained silent. This time though he wasn't thinking she was being stupid. Her words combined with the painful stab in his side when she forced him down had helped him realise she was right again. "You know it" Thalia said smiling.
"Thals?" Percy asked a second later.
"Yeah?"
"Can you let go of me now? You're starting to make my shoulders hurt"
"Oh shit, sorry" she got quickly off him and stepped back. "I'll get us home" she promised "I'm sure I'll manage it" though she was less than confident. Percy laughed. And it was a bright, truly amused laugh not the sarcastic mocking one, or the hollow, fake one she'd been hearing ever since her return.
"Now who's being stupid?" he asked jokingly. Thalia blushed, embarrassed. Then embarrassed for blushing she went even redder. Percy was laughing so hard it was hurting him now, except now he was laughing at her awkwardness.
"Cut it out Seaweed brain. It's not funny!" Percy finally stopped laughing but a grin still split his face.
"Sorry" he said finally, wiping a tear from his eye "don't worry I'll walk you through it from down here"
"Ok" Then, looking at Percy genuinely happy for a long time, she did something crazy. Before she could give herself time to think and give it away she leaned on the bed again and kissed him lightly on the cheek. Black lips lingered for just a moment on his pale skin before she pulled away. The kiss was slightly salty and Thalia wondered briefly if that was his natural taste. Instantly a barrage of emotions flew from Percy's mind. For a moment Thalia was terrified she'd upset him but when he drew back quickly he had a small, pleasantly surprised smile on his face. She could sense no feelings or anger or suspicion or hatred from him.

She smiled back and headed for the step out of the cabin to the upper deck. She almost turned to say more but stopped herself.
No she told herself; careful to keep the thoughts behind her own mental barrier, now is not the time. She was still smiling when she reached the upper deck it's good to hear him laugh she decided. That's got to be a good sign right? Soon. Maybe we can talk soon. Her happy mood faded a little when she reached the helm and stared at the mess of buttons switches and gauges in front of her.
You ok up there? Percy's thoughts came into her head sounding far stronger than his voice did.
Well at least Redcroft didn't damage his brain any further.
What's that supposed to mean?
Kidding Thalia assured him I'm fine by the way.
Ok, I lost you for a second there.
You're probably just tired Thalia thought, carefully.
Probably. Ok you ready?
If by ready you mean confused as all Tartarus then sure.
Don't worry, it's not as bad as it looks Percy thought It's easy to get the hang of.
Says the guy who can control every part of any ship with his mind!
Touché Percy thought ok just listen.
And so Thalia learned to drive a boat from the boy in her head.

Tempest cabin, early hours of the morning; brooding

Percy lay on the bed for hours going over and over the same thoughts in his head. It had been so long since Percy had suffered a serious injury of any kind that he had almost forgotten what it felt like. In fact he had pretty much come to the conclusion that that was what had nearly done him in. Not the injury but the complete system shock of receiving it.
What happened to the curse of Achilles? He thought for the millionth time. From up on deck Thalia responded, a little stressed and a lot tired. Percy didn't know it was possible to think a sigh but Thalia managed it.
No idea she replied, responding to his question for the first time in hours. To be fair though she had been very focused on getting them back out into the Atlantic. They had finally done that three hours ago. Now she was just sitting in the captain's chair occasionally twiddling the wheel to keep them on course and gazing around in every direction, as the pink glow of predawn began to tinge the sky. Do you think Hades might now something about it? She suggested.
Probably, the Styx is in his domain after all.
Right Thalia agreed just what I was thinking. Percy smiled. Of course she was. They rarely thought differently these days. After nine months psychically linked they were almost completely in tune with each other all the time, but right now though she was focused on operating a boat for the first time. Percy couldn't understand why she was still so tense. It's not like they were going to crash into anything in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
Because we both know that nothing went right for us yesterday. It would be just our luck to somehow get sideswiped by a cruise liner.
"You're right, you're right he thought.

She was, and Percy probably should have been sharing a little more of her concern. But now that his mind was more awake, having gotten a response from Thalia, the image of her launching herself off the roof to catch him kept working its way into his brain. His mind was mostly fuzzy on the events immediately following his unplanned shish-kebabing but that one moment had seemed to have burned itself into his memory. Him falling, then her rocketing over the edge of the roof and down toward him, grabbing him and soaring skyward like some dark angel.
Percy you sound like some awestruck unclaimed seeing a fricking cloud nymph for the first time!
Cloud nymph's don't come close he thought absently.
Are you sure Redcroft didn't hit you on the head you dumbass? chastised Thalia.
Sorry, but you did save me from splattering all over the Countess' lawn.
I just reacted Thalia insisted.
One heck of a reaction Percy thought, whistling aloud even though Thalia couldn't hear it, you were incredible . . . how did you manage it?
What do you mean? I'm a child of Zeus you know perfectly well I can fly.
And you know that's not what I meant he thought growing serious, Your Acrophobia. Why didn't it stop you coming after me? Thalia didn't respond immediately and Percy could sense her trying to figure that out herself.
I don't really know she told him finally, the instant you started to tip backward instinct just took over. I can't really think of any other way to describe it.
Instinct should have told you to run from the Erymanthian Boar back in Cloudcroft Percy noted but I still had to push you off that bridge. Thalia laughed this time.
Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about that. But you're right. That time BOTH our lives were in danger and I froze.
So what changed?
I don't know Thalia thought again It was still there. And when you started to fall part of me wanted to hold back, but then another part goes "hey, being afraid of heights when you can fly is stupid SAVE HIM!" So I did.
It was Percy's turn to laugh now funny you should have thought that. That's exactly what I thought about you when I figured you out back in-, realisation dawned, oh.
That's one way to put it thought Thalia you know, I'm fairly certain that's not how mortals get over their fear of heights. I guess that's what Hades meant by "great advantage." Far from making Percy feel better, Thalia's thoughts actually concerned him. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Well it's just that that makes me wonder when it becomes "fatal weakness"
"Oh yeah, that."

There was silence for a few minutes, no real thoughts passing between them.
Hey Percy
Yeah? Percy answered cautiously, detecting the definite aura of teasing around the thought.
Are you still scared of drowning?
Aw really Percy thought why'd you bring that up?
Well it's just that, if you were, I could probably fix it by thinking you were stupid. You know it's only fair.
Oh ha ha Percy thought sarcastically, but he was smiling again you think you can focus on driving, or are those big black wings of yours getting too wet up there? Something flickered briefly.
Ha, Sure thing boss man Thalia thought, imitating AJ very well considering she wasn't speaking.
But seriously Percy thought thanks for saving me back there. I don't know what I'd do without you.
Get yourself killed most likely Thalia commented bluntly.
Probably Percy admitted. As they approached the mid-Atlantic ridge Percy thought about getting up to take over but Thalia shut him down immediately.
Not a chance Seaweed brain. You expend what little energy you have left and I'd be willing to bet neither of us will make it back to the isle alive. Get some more sleep. Percy wanted to argue but he was still drowsy. Sleep for a while and let me handle it. I once stayed awake for 72 hours on a stakeout.
You're not immortal any more.
Don't worry I'll wake you up when we get closer to home, with a bucket of cold seawater over the head if necessary.
Oh don't you even think about it!

When Circe's Isle was finally in sight once again Percy was back at the helm with Thalia sleeping in the cabin (on the sofa, the idea of sleeping in Percy's blood hadn't appealed much). Though his side still ached like he's been slugged in the kidney by the Minotaur the water had done its job and his life wasn't in danger anymore. As the Tempest rounded the hulking silhouette of the Hyperion he noticed immediately that something was different. Were there more boats here than before they left? As the Jetty drew near he saw the boat AJ and Vixen had used to reach the mainland. Clearly they were back from Seattle and early too. Percy brought the Tempest in alongside for mooring. He woke Thalia with a gentle shake of the shoulder and together they disembarked. They hadn't gone far before Circe came hurrying up to them looking both concerned and furious.
"It's about time you two returned. We have several serious problems"
Oh gods they thought.
"What problems?" they asked aloud. Circe didn't answer verbally instead she swivelled around and glided off back the way she came. Percy and Thalia followed. They rounded a corner and Percy and Thalia stopped dead at the sight of an enormous crowd of people milling around the arena looking confused.
No rest for the wicked huh? Thalia thought wryly.
"That's not all" Circe added "Vixen and AJ arrived in the small hours of this morning"
"Okay" they said together, realising that there was more to it than that.
Circe grimaced and they thought she looked a little pale "Well I should say Vixen and most of AJ"
That can't be good.
New plan? Asked Percy.
You take the crowd and I'll see what happened to AJ? Thalia replied.
Yeah. They both looked back at the crowd for a moment.
It's going to be soon now Thalia observed.
This is going to be fun Percy thought.

Neither he nor Thalia could tell if he was being sarcastic.