Sorry for the long delay

Chapter 5

"Everything huh? Well than let's hope your Greek buddies don't come looking for you until you're in jail then." He didn't seem to mind the net as much after that. "Well... you're probably the youngest person to be claimed on their first day at the Den, but I'll just skip to what I know personally about your past."

So I told him about my first day at the Den and how he'd volunteered to show me around even though we couldn't stand each other. But more importantly, I described the chaos that followed the death of Lieutenant Annie Williams of Hall Minerva when she died in combat five years before.

"You were the obvious choice, being a son of Jupiter and all, but you had to go on a mission to find a new Imperial Gold sword. It's one of Lupa's traditions so she wouldn't let you say no. The Commander, Markus Lynch of Hall Mercury, had to come and for some reason you decided to drag me along as well, even though I still hadn't been claimed at the time. Our prophecy from Antevorta, the goddess of prophecy, told us to ask the gods of the four cardinal directions where the sword we were looking for was. Mark and I made you take South and West since you can fly and we had to travel around the U.S.A. because of you. We all planned to meet up in Detroit but..."

"Those cyclopes. I ran into them on a quest six months ago."

I sighed and glared at the sand. "Well then, I hope you sent them on a slow, painful trip back to Tartarus." The images I had always blocked out since then, of me arriving as those monsters began devouring him, then killing them all in a hysteric rampage, came back. "Commander Markus' remains were brought back later on, but those cyclops were long gone by the time you came. Then, my dear father decided it would be the best time to claim me, so they weren't the worst things either of us had to fight. In the end, we had to go all the way to Aeolus and even the cursed Underworld to get you that dumb gold sword from Pluto himself." I was steaming just thinking about the whole thing. It's the reason why I agreed to become Lieutenant in the first place: Mark can't lead us anymore, so I had wanted to repay him for all he'd done for the Army.

But my thoughts were interrupted by Jason. "But still, after all that, I came back as Praetor of the First Legion. Then you were nominated to be my partner because of your father, but we had to fight to decide who became Commander. Though about that sword..."

It was the favorite sword of the immortalized Augustus himself, but with one look at his face, I knew it was either missing or gone for good. "I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you." Though only because Captain Bobby of Hall Mercury would kill Jason if he found out that the sword his older brother had died trying to get was lost in some unnamed incident.That amnesia is making him oblivious of all the trouble he's gotten himself into. And it's all for the Greeks. "Jason, why are you so set on helping the Greeks? If you'd come back alone with your story you wouldn't be in anywhere near this big of a mess."

That brought him back to acting like the fearless leader he believed he'd become. "For the good of all demigods. Those giants are way too strong for either group of demigods to fight alone and the gods will only help if the Romans are there too. We Romans also have no reason to hold this ridiculously long grudge just to put ourselves into an even more dangerous situation than we're already in."

Maybe I'm being too harsh on him. He's in enough trouble as it is and according to him, it's the same with the Roman Army. I made my decision and cut him loose from the net but he seemed unsure about leaving so soon. "Go already, before I realize that a quick death by my blade would be a far less painful than in an execution."

He nodded, grateful, but he apparently still wasn't finished with me. "A girl in Athena's Cabin needs to know: is Percy okay?" I was so worked up from talking about that mission that the surprised look on my face told Jason all he needed to know. He ran off to the edge of the cave and soon disappeared from sight. I hurried up the stairs, finally understanding that whatever happened, my safest bet for the Den was with the Greeks and my best friend. I was at my computer before I knew it, typing up a report that made my opinion on the Greek's proposal crystal clear. But it was just as clear that the Captains would not handle the news well.

Then Percy opened the door, "so what happened at the lagoon?"

"Nothing worth mentioning."

"That's fine, it's none of my business. Anyway, my mom wants to meet you."

"I'm busy trying to help Camp Half-Blood get that alliance. I think that's a little more important than your mother, who I'm sure I'll see many times soon enough." My eyes were locked on the screen, but I'm positive Percy was grinning ear to ear as he exited without another word.

Almost immediately after I finished typing up my report I was called to the Captain's room. I knew all too well how bad the position I was throwing myself into would be. I walked in and saw that each captain was already in his or her seat. Now this is unusual...

"Thank you for joining us Commander Salazar. Now take your seat." The Roman Army's most trusted (and only) advisor appeared out of the gloom. Lupa's brown fur and silver eyes shimmered in the torch light. I had no choice but to obey and sat down in the large seat of the Commander. It had been changed to look like the sea instead of stormy skies. "Captains, please begin making your decision on how to deal with our guests."

"Sorry ma'am, but there is no 'debate' here. We told them to leave immediately and they aren't showing any signs of vacating the area." Captain Bobby, as usual, was already yelling at the huge she-wolf.

"...Captains, all we are doing is digging ourselves into a deep hole. Let's at least try to reconsider that alliance."

"Are you insane Reyna?"

"Why in Mars' name should we help those guys?"

I yawned and waited for them to all calm down. "Please, could one of you give me one good reason why we shouldn't ally with the Greek demigods, besides them being Greek."

Captain Hazel didn't hesitate. "It's not our war, we're not enemies of these giants."

"Yes we are. They just haven't attacked us yet."

"Why are you on their side all of a sudden?"

"I was neutral to begin with and I realized soon enough that all we're doing by not accepting their offer is giving ourselves more trouble later on. What if it was fawns asking for this alliance?"

"Our answer would still be no. I can't believe you would even consid-"

"Captain Hazel, it is her job to consider the good and bad parts of any decision and a captain's to accept it if it makes sense. I am beginning to regret allowing you demigods to begrudge the Greeks for so long." Thank the gods. If Lupa's on my side than I have no worries. "Your foolish behavior will end now. The warrior's job is not to hold worthless grudges: it's to protect the innocent efficiently, whatever the cost."

Lupa's presence kept the captains from speaking, just long enough for them to actually think about what Lupa had just said. Then Hazel, the captains' self-appointed speaker, said "we'll ally with the Greeks then. But we're all still aware that they could easily drag us down."

"True, now off with you all, and make sure to show at little more respect of them from now on." Everyone was soon out of the room and I was alone with Lupa. "Please keep them diligent this time Salazar, now go."

I nodded and exited the meeting room and was quick to catch up with the others. I ordered the march, this time adding Janus and Apollo's captains, who were in the front with me. "When the majority of you meet our guests, please keep in mind that neither me or Lupa will not allow any breaches in protocol." They all stiffened and we made it to the boat without incident. The Greeks noticed almost immediately and the blonde girl, Jason, and Chiron hurried over to meet us.

"Are you here as friends or foes, Romans?" Chiron said.

I yawned, "we've been told that we're complete fools if we don't accept your offer and I know the rest of the Roman Army is just as sorry as I am for the clear lack of respect we had toward you Greeks. Please forgive us for that and if that offer of an alliance is still available, we accept it."

Chiron nodded but Hazel was focused on delivering the rest of our message. "Also, Jason Grace, even though you were our Commander, you are to be tried for deserting the Roman Army."

"But if you just plead guilty the punishment will come and go much faster." The captains had all discussed how to deal with Jason and it was obvious what he would ask. So I went straight to the point. "It has already been decided that if you plea then you would instead duel me as highest ranking officer. If you actually win though, you will be demoted to Lieutenant."

Jason didn't hesitate to agree, so Captain Bobby announced the rules. "You two will fight here tomorrow at noon so the Greeks may watch. Commander, you are asked to kill him during the fight if you can, but Jason can only beat you down until you yield. Understood?" We both nodded and the Captains vacated the warship and fled back to the Den.

I turned to leave, "Commander Reyna, how is Percy?"

"Percy Jackson?" the blonde teen nodded. "Never heard of him." I grinned but I doubt the girl could see that through my helmet. "By the way, Jason, I'll bring your old armor: you'll need all the help you can get." I was gone before I was forced to stay with the Greeks a second longer.

Zues - Jupiter

Athena - Minerva

Dionysus - Bacchus

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