X: Eavesdropping

-Oasis-

"I swear that kids going to get himself killed!" I yelled kicking over a hollow bucket by our camp.

"Watch it," Beckendorf called out from inside a tent. "I'm putting things places with the intent of them staying there." Rolling my eyes, I clutched my mask and threw it off against a tree. A large split appeared above the right eye hole as it impacted. My fists clenched together, knuckles slowly turning white. My breaths slowly hitched as a hand rested on my shoulder.

"You know," Zoe started. "It egs on people you hate if you just ignore them. People claim to be at the high end of the fighting spectrum, the best of the best. Our team has killed and imprisoned hundreds with that exact claim. On a planet like Earth, you need not worry. They aren't the best of the best."

I turned to look at her, but she was staring into the beautifully lit sky. A soft breeze swept through her elegant silver hair. "If you get mad at someone calling your sister 'hot' your in for a lot someday." I rolled my eyes harder this time, a small smile forming on my lips. I could almost feel Zoe smile beside me, almost to the point of laughing. The thought made me laugh. It wasn't even funny, but I felt so warm and at peace. Her laughter soon filled the air, only mixed laughs echoing through the forest.

"It's not that someone said it, it's that it was the Zeus spawn," I managed through laughter. Footsteps came from behind us but stopped midway through. My gaze focused on the sky with Zoe, not bothering to look behind me. No bad news or good news could affect me now, but I still didn't want any. For the first time since the news of this mission, or even a little before I felt truly at peace. It was like camp back when everyone was friends with me. Good memories warmed my heart, the bad not even showing up.

"You seem to still remember Earth insults huh?" Zoe said breaking from laughter.

"Yeah," I replied regaining composure. Our focus remained on the sky, nothing stopping us. It felt like time had stopped. A cough rang out from behind us. Finally looking back, I saw Hannah standing there looking at me with a smile, Itchiama in the background leaning against a tree. Two white earbuds remained in his ear as he clutched something I couldn't see. I frowned slightly. What is it this time?

"Tried to let that moment last, but we're picking up live voice recordings from the meeting room. We thought it best you heard them, you are the leader after all." Zoe and I spun around to meet them, as Itchiama jerked the headphones from hand. Opening his palm, he presented us with a small device that began vibrating.

"Sister," a voice I hated shot from the device. Reality hit me in the face as the burden of war climbed back on my shoulders. At least I had a little peace. The cube spun and opened, a hologram popping between Shadow and Itchiama. Hovering over the poker table was the so-called council, still huddled around their Ping Pong table.

"Sister," Jason spoke. "We found out they're related, yet he's killed way more than her. He's a target but not her?"

"Seems a bit weird," the Adaline girl mentioned from her position in the corner. "If someone wanted to really hurt this Oasis dude, wouldn't his whole family be a target that should be kept secret?" I found my teeth grinding against one another. So he had a plan, and my hatred underestimated him.

"Could be a trap," Annabeth said. "He could use her to lure enemies into a place with a stronger team than expected." Blood boiled inside me as I clenched my fists. How someone could think I'd use my own team, my family as bait was beyond me. Had everyone at the camp resorted to tactics like that after I left? Had they become that blind and cynical?

Reyna turned to face Annabeth, their eyes locking from opposite sides of the board. "I don't think anyone who jumps to their sister's defense that easily would risk them dying just to kill some enemies." As the stare-down continued, Chiron's clopping hooves could be heard as he re-entered the Big House.

"There's only one thing for sure," he said. "We don't even know their true allegiance, therefore they cannot be left alone." SNAP! I pushed off my feet, backflipping toward the tree behind me. My eyes locked on the hiding camper, fear deep in his soul.

Frozen from fear he slowly backed away, but it was too late. A solid kick to the head sent him tumbling from a high branch directly into Hannahs's waiting arms. Grabbing him mid-air Hannah suplexed him into the grassy ground. Dirt blew up into the breeze causing Itchiama and Zoe to cover their eyes coughing.

"Now that's just showing off," I called her.

"Whatever, you thought it was cool," she remarked.

"I can confirm," Itchiama replied mid cough.

"Don't help encourage her man, she already intimidates the new recruits in training. Now I need to pay someone a visit." I hopped from the tree and grabbed the girl by her green hood. Blonde hair covering the left side of her face, including one of her chocolate brown eyes. Green hoodie covering her chest, and black jogging pants.

Sending a spy into a dangerous place without armor or a real weapon? I started to feel bad for the unconscious girl bleeding from the nose and ear. Checking camp would be the next priority. Weapons, armor, and establishing the campers skills would be vital pieces in winning the war. Almost as important as making sure the spy's stop, and establishing a connection with the campers. Thoughts slipped into my mind.

I wonder how Tysons doing with Poseidon. Hows Thalia's hunt? What are Nico, Leo, Travis, Conor, Grover, Rachel, and Will doing? They didn't all betray me. There were still people here I might be able to rely on. Was it possible to rekindle a friendship in my short time here? Or was it best to let my buddies think I was dead?

"No, you should listen to the whole discussion," Hannah said, snapping my attention to the still moving hologram in front of me. I shrugged and tossed the girl to her, and Hannah seemingly disappeared into the shadows. Guess we'll be returning their present soon. Everyone seemed to awkwardly stare around. Kyle seemed agitated for a reason I couldn't identify.

"I could always charm them into taking their masks off," Piper said.

"Depends," Reyna stated. "Do you want to attract more enemies or not." Pondering the thought, Piper leaned back against the wall next to Jason. Annabeth opened her mouth to speak when the wooden door snapped from its hinges. Green and black flashed across the illuminated hologram as the spy tumbled across the table.

"I was willing to wait a few days to figure out the key pieces of information on this camp but were having a talk now. Sending spies unarmed is a bad move. You think we won't attack because they can't fight back? Well, now their hurt and you have no one but yourselves to blame." I sighed as silence filled the Big House projection. I'm team leader and Hannah's doing most of the work. Letting everyone down, aren't I?

"YOU ATTACKED A CAMPER!" Piper yelled, pulling a dagger from behind her back. Jason attempted to grab her but missed. Lunging into a stab, the knife aimed for Hannah's heart, but she dodged to the side. Taking Piper by the wrist and arm. Hannah flipped her onto her back, kicking the blade into a wall nearby. Sensing a hit in the back, Hannah quickly shadow traveled past a blow from Annabeth's bare fist.

Jason looked conflicted, remaining unarmed which was more surprising than what was already going on. Frank moved towards Hannah putting her between two enemies. Annabeth attempted to move in but was intercepted by Reyna who jumped the whole Ping Pong table just to tackle her.

Frank swung at Hannah's face which was easily high blocked, a foot soon coming into contact with his torso. Kyle and Hazel were in the back unable to do much. Adeline looked conflicted as Hannah fought Frank and Renya had Annabeth in a chokehold on the ground.

Another kick found its way to the bridge of Franks's nose, sending him tumbling back into the wall. As he contacted the wall his body shifted into something much smaller.

Flapping wings of a bird flowed through the device as Frank flew towards the other side of the room, transforming into a human and grabbing Pipers knife from the wall. Piper got up, only to be pulled back by Jason. She growled in resistance sending both falling into a dusty wooden chair, it crumbling to pieces. It's lucky the room is practically empty for some reason.

Frank pushed Reyna off Annabeth, allowing her to breathe. Hannah rushed past Reyna, spinning through a stab from Frank. She ducked his next slash, punching one of his kneecaps, while Reyna jumped over her, kicking his chest. "Turn it off would you," I said.

"What do you mean?" Itchiama questioned.

"I've seen enough," I stated. Turning on my heel I walked towards the blue and black tent I assumed was mine. "They are looking for any excuse to fight each other. People change in five years, and this camp sure fell apart. I just need some rest while I prepare a speech for them tomorrow. If I don't unite this camp, I'm not sure their even worth saving." Zoe sympathetically sighed, walking towards her own silver tent.