(Disclaimer: I don't own anything except this story, Teresa, and Andrew Kent.) Chiron's POV
By the gods it looks like I'm going to have to make a decision here and not one of the Big Three. I pondered while shifted my hooves back and forth. In my mind, I made a mental notepad. I barely even know Fettel and his Replicas, Percy and John confirmed that they were officially allies, and what about Alma? What happened to her? Pushing the thought away, I scurried through other memories as Paxton and the rest of the camp was staring at me and waiting for my decision. It was making me uncomfortable.
"We don't have all day, horseman," Mr. D remarked, but I ignored him.
Psychics have a tendency to be neutral unless acted upon, I thought. They could be easily convinced if someone has a gift of persuasion or by doing a favor. Still, I don't know much about these species if they're not one of the sons and daughters of gods. Psychics are truly a discovery for the world of Greek mythology.
Finally, I made my decision, "I'll take a few demigods with me, just in case."
"But Chiron—" Someone from the Athena cabin tried to say, but I cut him off by raising my hand.
"I have little knowledge of their kind," I said, "but I do see truth in his words. I'll take the leaders of every cabin. Meet me on Half-Blood Hill when you're done with dinner. Carry on."
I didn't eat, but I did pull Paxton out of the way to lead him to the Big House.
"Master Chiron," he asked me as we were walking.
"Yes?"
"Do you really think that the camp could withstand three battalions of reckless and self-minded monsters this August?"
"No," I said, "but your kind might change the course of it... temporarily."
"I agree. I'll work with the children of Athena to devise a strategy."
I looked at him, "What about your soldiers?"
"Nonsense, I telepathically divert my memories into their minds. They'll already know what to do."
"I see. After dinner I'll look at these soldiers, and then I'll order the children of Hephaestus to forge celestial bronze bullets. Enough to supply everything."
Paxton nodded, "Alma will come. I'm sure of it."
"And what if she doesn't?"
"Then we're doomed."
Annabeth's POV
After dinner, all the counselors of each cabin suited up in Greek battle armor at the armory and met up with Chiron on the hill. Thalia touched her tree warily again since she hasn't seen it in a year. Nico and Percy were debating on strategies, which was very un-Percy-like and Nico-like. Usually, it's the Athena cabin that plans all that.
Below the base of the hill, several vans almost as black as Percy's hair appeared out of the tree line. I counted twenty vans in all! Just then, people were pouring out of the back and looked up at us as a wispy cloud of shadow appeared in front of them. I hate it when Paxton does that.
Five hundred soldiers with holstered weapons marched up Half-Blood Hill when we gripped our sheathed swords. Percy pulled out his ballpoint pen, Thalia hefted her spear, and Chiron uncomfortably shifted his bow settled on his shoulder.
As soon as the half battalion reached us, Fettel stepped forward.
"No need to be alarmed, dear half-bloods," he said. The Replica soldiers had black helmets, leather vests, and camouflage body armor tightly fitted in gauntlets and large leather boots. Some type of weapon was on their equip belts.
Chiron eyed Paxton and inspected the army that was literally covering half of the hill below us.
"How good are they?" Chiron asked.
Fettel kept his face emotional, "They carry Patten PK470 Assault Rifles, hand grenades, flash bangs, and stingers. Their teamwork is wildly accepted based on training and the squads are divided into Echo, Bravo, and Zulu."
Percy glanced at me, which made the situation a little bit nerve wracking. His eyes were the only thing I could see through his helmet. Then John, who had his balaclava and goggles back on, eyed him.
"How are they good in combat?" Clarisse asked. Typical question from an Ares kid.
"Reflexes are good, aim is distinguished, and they can crush a human's femur with their bare hands," Fettel explained, "Any more questions?"
No one answered.
"Do we have permission to enter the camp, Chiron?"
Without hesitation, Chiron said, "I, Chiron, give all of you permission to enter the camp."
For the first time, Fettel smiled. But it wasn't suspicious; it was sympathizing like he was glad he could give us aid. All at once, the army of Replica soldiers bounded through the borders of Camp Half-Blood, but the rest of us kept a weary eye in case Paxton suddenly changed his mind. Travis could easily run and sound the alarm as quick as lightning... well, not lightning, but when a snake would snap at you.
Percy came over to me, "Something's bothering me."
I laughed, "Why would anything bother you?"
Swearing that he blushed, he said, "Last summer you...um..."
"Oh, sorry. Chiron and the other campers were badly wounded at the time," I lied and lost eye contact.
"That's not what I meant."
"Whatever," I was ready to drop the subject now.
"Look Annabeth, if you're still wondering about Rachel, she's just a friend. Nothing more," he explained, "I-I was going to ask you something before Argus drove me back to Manhattan."
"Maybe when we're rehearsing, but right now I have to deal with strategies and right down a million results about counter-attacks, reflexes, and work with Fettel and the Replicas."
"Okay," then he mumbled something else that I couldn't get out. Something about distance.
I clapped him on the back, "Don't worry, Seaweed Brain. We'll survive."
Percy lifted off his bronze Spartan helmet and straightened his hair out. I'll admit that he was good looking when he had ruffled black hair, and don't you dare tell him that or I'll send you to Tartarus myself! He smiled his famous sheepish smile as we made our way to the campfire.
John's POV
Chiron and Fettel were beside me as we took attendance of all the Replica soldiers. They'd set up camp in the valley south of the climbing walls.
"Echo 0?" I asked.
"Present and ready for duty!" said a distant garbled Replica. I checked his name off.
"Zulu 12?"
"Roger!"
And the process repeated through the only four-hundred and forty-eight Replicas. By the time I checked off the last soldier, it was midnight and Chiron had left about three hours ago and Fettel disappeared out of nowhere. I figured that he was spending time with Alma so all I did was walk like two hundred yards back to the Big House.
... And I had the worst dream yet.
Mwuahahahaa! And sorry I couldn't post earlier. My computer was screwed up from all the trojan viruses and tons of pop-ups.
