Three months later, I finally decide to update this! Like I mentioned in my other update, my delay of 'miracles' was due to the internet hating me. Period. For a more clear description in which I rant a little more on this, go to the second chapter of Another Time, Another Argo II.

But yeah. Still embarrassed for not updating for three months. But at least I didn't disappear for eight months like some people we know...

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, instead of rights to PJO and HOO for my birthday, I got a hug and a cake. In the name of Jupiter...

4. My Friends Love Being Sent to Their Doom

As soon as I was out of Lupa's sight, I ran as fast as I could to the Fifth Cohort. Romans were split into five cohorts, the First Cohort being the best cohort and the Fifth Cohort to be the cohort no one wanted to be in.

Well, maybe not everyone. I chose to be in the Fifth Cohort because they seemed the nicest out of all the cohorts, and this still is true. I found more than half of my friends from my cohort, and none from the First Cohort.

"Cake...yes, mother, I will. Just give me the cake," Bobby mumbled in his sleep, tossing around. I snorted quietly, shaking my head at Bobby's dream. Bobby is one of my best friends, and has an obsession with food.

I felt bad for waking him, but it was necessary. Occasionally, Romans are allowed to sleep until nine-thirty, and today was one of those days.

"Bobby," I whispered, nudging him softly. He mumbles something, turning away from me. I rolled my eyes. "Bobby, wake up," I whispered a little more loudly, but there was no response.

I was considering kidnapping him, but he would probably hate me later, so I decided to wake up Gwen so then she could help me wake up Bobby.

I crept to where her bed was temporarily also in the boys' barrack along with all the other girls because of renovations, trying to be as silent as possible. I snickered softly when I saw Dakota's Kool-Aid stained teddy bear in her tight grasp. Something was going on...

"Ugh...Jason?" she groaned, and her eyes slowly widened when she probably realized I was actually there, staring at her. Children of Apollo; they always wake up when their father makes his daily trips across the world. "What are you doing out of bed? It's a late day, for gods' sakes."

"I know, but Lupa's sending me on a quest, and I need two people to come with me," I explained quietly, crossing my fingers behind my back, hoping that everyone are heavy sleepers. "It's kind of suicidal, and I know you haven't been a quest before but...wanna come with me?"

Gwen's brown eyes shone with excitement. "Of course! Who else is going to keep you out of trouble, kid?" she added, ruffling my hair. I hate when she does this- gods, I'm only a year younger than her!

"Can you help me wake Bobby up?" I whispered, pointing to a blissfully unaware Bobby, grinning like an idiot in his sleep.

"Yep," she replied, stretching. "Just let me-"

"Grace, what are you doing distracting the others? Aren't you supposed to be giving Lupa a tour?" Adelaide Clark, the female centurion of the Fifth Cohort demanded as she shot up from her bed across from Gwen's bed, staring me down. "Why aren't you giving Lupa her tour?" she exclaimed, her loud voice waking up most of our cohort.

"Uh..." I looked nervously at Gwen, who only shrugged, her eyes saying, What have you got to lost? I sighed and plopped down beside Gwen and replied tiredly, "Lupa's sending me on quest, and I need two other people to come with me."

"Then we'll put this to a vote, won't we?" Adelaide said, standing up to nudge Hunter Long, her bunk partner and fellow centurion.

"But Lupa said that I could choose on my own," I explained before Hunter could nod tiredly.

Adelaide bit her lip. "...fine," she relented, looking worried. "Just be careful, okay? You're still pretty young, Jason. And gods help us if we lose a son of Jupiter."

"Actually, I'm going on this quest to sort of save my own podex as well," I replied, still confused about the argument between Mars and Jupiter and why someone would choose to imitate me of all people.

"Who are you bringing?" Hunter asked, rubbing his sleepy eyes. "Please choose quickly so I can catch a few more minutes of sleep." When he finished, Adelaide began to glare at him, and he sighed. "Or take all the time you want," he said, yawning as he crawled back to his bed. "Just keep it down."

"Bobby and Gwen," I answered quickly, not wanting to bother the Cohort any longer than I had to.

Adelaide nodded her head cautiously. "You are aware that they have had no experience going on quests before, right?"

"It's my first quest too," I replied.

"Very well. I wish you three the best of luck," she said with a soft smile before gesturing to the rest of the Cohort. "Everyone else, back to bed or else stable duty will be calling your name!"

When the Romans were settled, I looked over at my two friends, Bobby looking the most annoyed and tired one. "Guys, you have five minutes to pack," I murmured, grabbing my backpack and packing myself.

Suddenly, Dakota walked over to me, frowning. "Nice friendship we have here, Jay-Jay," he said, crossing his arms."On your first quest, and you don't even include the king of Kool-Aid?"

"Lupa wants you to help her," I explained, patting him on the back. "Next time, bro."

"Do whatever you've got to do, but come back alive, kiddo." Dakota grinned, knowing that I hate being called 'kiddo.' "Later Bobster, Gweny," he added, winking at Gwen, who was rolling her eyes.

"Behave for once, Dakota," she said, a hand on her hip. "I don't want to come home to a Cohort full of Kool-Aid."

"Bye, Gweny," Dakota said pointedly, gesturing to the door.

Gwen glared at him as she continued to pack. A few moments later, she looked over at my direction. "Ready, Jay-Jay."

"Really, Gwen?" I grumbled, snatching my backpack and heading towards the door. "Bobby, you ready?" I asked, looking incredulously at said legionnaire, who was doing his best trying to cram what looked like a prank kit into his backpack. "We're going on a quest, Bobby, not some amusement park. Do you really need that?"

He stuck his tongue out. "Yes. Monsters don't like exploding candy." Bobby took a deep breath and pushed the kit at far as he could, squinting an eye as the veins on his neck bulged. Finally, he succeeded, slinging the backpack over his shoulders. "Let's go," he said cheerfully, opening the door. "Later, legionnaires!"

The cohort grumbled their good-byes, still half-asleep. I followed Gwen and Bobby out the door, stealing one last glance at my home. I didn't know how long this quest could take, or even if I was going to be alive after, what with Mars on my tail.

"Until next time," I whispered quietly, closing the door behind me.

We were five minutes early, and Lupa gave a growl of approval before circling us. Are you all ready, my pups? she asked, her silver eyes glinting in the morning sun.

"Yes, Lupa," we chorused, standing tall. I exchanged my homesick face for the one I had been trained to have on under any circumstances.

Good, she said. If you'd like to contact camp, you may call the resident eagles to carry your messages. Lupa tilted her head to where a brown leather purse laid on the ground of the arena. In the bag is about five hundred mortal dollars. Use them wisely, pups. She eyed us carefully. Also inside is a cell phone. I know demigods cannot carry cell phones into the mortal world, but this cell phone is only linked to me. I you desperately need help, you have one try with it to contact me immediately. You may or may not need to use it at all. Lupa stomped one paw on the ground. If the three of you are done shaking in fear, I will see you off.

I shook my hand around, never realising the trembling until Lupa brought it up. Sticking my hand in my pocket, I squeezed my coin, hoping for some comfort as we walked with Lupa to the border of New Rome.

Terminus looked us over. "Going in and out, are we, Jason Grace, son of Jupiter? A quest, I presume?"

I managed a smile. "Sure is, Terminus."

The god nodded his head in approval. "Tip for you: slay the monster before it slays you! That's how it was done in the olden days."

"Still done the same way now," Bobby muttered.

"Good-bye, Jason Grace, and company," Terminus said loudly, ignoring Bobby's comment.

Good-bye, demigods, Lupa said, stepping aside. Come back victorious or the three of you will become my dinner.

I half-smiled at her kind-of joke as I stepped outside the Pomerian Line. "We won't let you down, Lupa," I promised, saluting her.

She bared her teeth into a dangerous smile. I hope not.

"So I guess this is it," Bobby said, stopping in front of the Caldecott Tunnel. "We're really going on our first quest trying to save Jason's podex."

"Feeling sentimental, Bobby?" Gwen asked, arching an eyebrow. "This isn't like you."

"Shut up," Bobby grumbled, looking at me. "Jase, you ready?"

I looked up at the dark clouds, knowing that I had no choice. "As ready as I'll ever be," I answered before stepping into the tunnel.

Finally, they're leaving Camp Jupiter! I wonder how this will all go down...hopefully the next update will be faster...

To anyone still reading this, please read and review!

-DOTE