War Journal, July 2nd, 2001

Brock's time as our commanding officer is coming to an end, he'll soon be off to college. He hopes to become Green Beret, so I gave him a few pointers on what to expect. Aside from that, I can only give him my best wishes.

But this means that Mario is on the verge of taking over between him and brock Mario has proven himself the better fighter while Gregory is the more tactically inclined for all that's worth. Brock has kept them in line for years but I fear for our cabin's future. Hopefully Father presents me with a mission soon, for if that yahoo takes over, we're fucked.

George struck the training dummy with absolute focus, one slip could result in injury and had it been real...death. The dummy he was training with was no typical training dummy. It had a clockwork mechanism that would cause one of its three arm levels to snap forward whenever another was struck back. In other words, a dummy that was capable of fighting back... and hitting HARD. Once you strike it the first time, it doesn't stop until you strike the head. Seems simple enough, but it was much harder when the dummy is striking you with the equivalent of 6 limbs, and you only have four to work with.

It was an impressive contraption, then again one could not expect anything less than perfection when it came to the works of Hephaestus' children. They may not be the best fighter, but they sure knew how to build things. He didn't know how it worked, but he didn't care, he wasn't studying to become an engineer after all.

That's why during his time at Camp Half Blood, George made it a point to stay on good terms with Hephaestus Cabin. A good lesson life, 'don't smash the hand that fixes your gear.' Especially if said gear is vital to preventing you from becoming cyclops chowder.

So George continued to alternate between attacking and defending until he blocked an arm that was poised to strike his face was able to punch the head of the dummy but took a blow to the ribs as punishment. The moment the head was struck all the swinging arms came to a stop and the dummy stilled.

George rubbed the place were his ribs were hit and began locking the arms back to that starting position ready for the next round. Wiping the sweat off his face with a towel, he heading back to his cabin to get his weapons for a monster hunt. But when he arrived, he saw Brock walking up to him with an odd look.

"What's going on?" He asked.

Brock frowned, "our father wants a word at the big house. Best not keep him waiting Soldier Boy."

George's eyes widened, this was unexpected and honestly, he didn't know how to respond to this. His brain rankled since he didn't know what to think. Part of him was excited and though he would never admit it, even with a gun to his head. Another part of him was somewhat nervous. He sighed 'well, no use trying to avoid it,' he thought. With a shrug, he entered the cabin, set his stuff down while keeping his swords and headed for the Big House.

Outside the big house George noticed a huge motorcycle outside, with a flaming paint job and shotguns in the rear. He entered the big house and headed for Chiron's office. As he stepped in the first thing, he felt was rage, the same kind he felt whenever he thought of the Furies. He wanted to punch through the walls, to return to the arena and summon a Drakon so he could slay it. But he clenched his fists, ground his teeth and bottled it up, 'save it for the monsters,' he thought. He put his hands behind his back with his right hand enclosed around his left middle and index finger.

The man inside looked like he could have Delta Force for dinner and make Hells Angels piss themselves. Tall, broad and muscular, he was built like a tank. With a battle-scarred face and a bad haircut. He wore black denim trousers, combat boots and a black leather duster. Under that was a black ballistic vest over a blood-red muscle shirt. Red Tinted sunglasses covered his eyes and a bowie knife the size of a spartan xiphos was strapped to his thigh. George cocked his eyebrow, the outlaw biker gig was in interesting choice, but in a way it fit. After all, many motorcycle gangs were founded by ex-military personnel.

'Show no fear,' George thought, his mother's words ringing in his head, 'don't show any sign of weakness.' He approached and did his best to present an impassive face. He bowed his head in respect, "Father."

Ares smirked, leaned forward and removed his shades. Instead of eyes, flames akin to those of nuclear explosions filled the sockets. The two just stared at each other for a long moment George refuse to back down. After a moment, the God of War straightened up, drew his knife and began cleaning the axle grease underneath his fingernails. "I see your mother has done quite the job on you. Keeping your rage in check." His smirk widened, "soldier boy."

"Thanks!" George replied curtly.

"That wasn't a compliment," Ares clarified.

"Matter of perspective," George retorted.

Ares shook his head, "Conflict, aggression, violence...Fury. These things are in your blood boy. To deny them is to deny your nature, your very existence."

George grunted, "what do you want me to do? Shout? Scream? Hit you? Have a diva tantrum like the tarts in Cabin 10?" His grip became so tight, he could feel the circulation to his fingers being cut off. "Any effort against you would be useless, so why bother."

"Fair enough," Ares admitted, "but you still shouldn't fight it."

George smirked, "I'm not fighting it, I'm just saving it for later."

Ares waved his hand dismissively, "Whatever, at least losing your eye hasn't dulled your edge."

George nodded, "a soldier's work is never done, I can't afford to slack off." He turned to his father, "but you're not here just to say hi, are you?"

Ares nodded, "You wanted a chance to prove yourself boy, now you got it. I want you to get a new herd of horses for your cabinmates chariots. Your will find them at the Triple G Ranch."

George frowned, it seemed like a standard retrieval mission, but there was no way it would be that simple. "What's the catch?" He demanded, "I may be Texan but no way you took the time to see me just to have me play cowboy."

Ares grinned, "well...their keeper won't give them up so easily, he can be...temperamental." He gave a wave of his hand, "but nothing that you can't handle considering you want to take on the Furies."

George' lips curled and his grip tightened on his fingers as he nodded, "very well, I accept your challenge."

Ares grinned broadened, "good, I knew I could count on you." He clasped George's shoulder, "Remember the reputation of your cabin and ME are on the line." His grip tightened and George' winces slightly but otherwise willed himself to not show any other sign of distress. "Don't blow it."

George nodded curtly and with that, Ares turned and walked out and climbed onto his motorcycle. The engine of the machine roared to life. The thunderous revving sent a tingle up George's spine. George smiled as the motorcycle speed away and disappeared into the forest breaking many branches to ire of angry dryads.

While he remained stoic in his body language, inside he was practically jumping with joy, he was finally getting a quest, more importantly the next step in his bid for becoming Counselor of Ares cabin.

He turned to Chiro, "so, now what?" He asked the Centaur.

Chiron rubbed his chin, "you will have to seek the council of the Oracle, it is ill advised to go on a quest without receiving a prophecy from her. You'll find her in the attic."

George nodded, "understood sir."

George climbed four flights of stair to the trapdoor the led to the attic. Inside was like your typical attic, full of old junk, but it was the kind of junk that would make the Addams Family or the Munsters cream themselves. Old armour and weapons, pickled body parts of monsters and trophies of slain monsters. They would make a fortune selling them at an antique auction, but they were here for a reason. There at the window sitting on a stool was what looked like an unbandaged female mummy.

George looked around and not seeing anyone else guessed that this was the oracle. His suspicion was confirmed when the mummy looked up. George took a deep breath and approached the mummy and bowed.

Then, the mummy began to speak in a voice fit for a snake, "I and the spirit of Delphi, speaker of the Prophecies of Phoebus Apollo, slayer of the mighty python, ask thy question seeker."

George straightened his posture and said, "My father has given me a task. What must I do?"

A mist swirled thickly around him and George saw his stepfather standing before him. Then he spoke in the Oracle's voice.

Home is where your mission lies

Scorching under the cloudless skies

Two foes you'll face before it's done

The one who is three and the two who are one

An old relation shall give a test

Tame the brute to tame the rest

Her mouth closed and reclined back into her stool as the room went silent once again. After getting the prophecy, George climbed back down and returned to Chiron's office.

"What did the oracle say?" Chiron asked once George came back. George repeated what he had heard. When he was done Chiron rubbed his chin in thought, The oracle's prophecies often have double meanings, don't dwell too hard on it."

"I won't sir," George replied, "my only concern is completing the mission at any cost, is there any more advise you have for me."

"I would suggest that you bring companions with you, preferably three. You could bring more or less but three is a sacred number and could prove disastrous."

George nodded again, "very well, three it is. But now my mission has a new priority, ensuring that my team comes home safely."

Chiron's face softened, and put a hand on the boy's shoulder, "You may not be able to do that George, these quests are often dangerous."

"You're probably right," George agreed. "But that didn't stop me when the Furies tried to kill Thalia and it won't stop me now," George determined. "It's what any good commander would do, to try knowing full well he won't succeed." With that, George turned and left for his cabin. When he informed his siblings about his quest, many of the older kids looked sour, Mario and Gregory were practically seething. George left to find a team for the mission, and for his first choice, he knew where to the javelin field he found Matthew supervising Luke as he practiced.

"Luke!"

"Hey George," Luke greeted with a smile, "what's up?"

"Father gave me a quest today."

Luke's eyes widened, "you met your father?" George nodded, "so what did you think of him?"

"Evidently I'm too disciplined for him. I think he would prefer that I swung my fists around like a drunken jock frat boy pumped on steroids."

Luke chuckled, "seems your reunion went better than mine did."

George shrugged, "I guess it helped that my mother told me what to expect when I meet him. Though considering the roster, I think I got one of the better gods as a divine parent."

Luke cocked an eyebrow, "you think so?"

George returned his gaze, "considering the shit you, Thalia and Annabeth had to put up with, is there any doubt."

Luke nodded, "fair enough, So what did you need?"

"Chiron advised me to bring two others with me and I was hoping you could be one of them."

Luke's jaw dropped, "you...want me...to join your quest?"

"Why not, your one of the few people I feel I can depend on, and your skill with a sword will be helpful."

"What of your siblings?"

George gave him a look, "no for two reasons, one, an effective team needs diversity, and secondly, as it stands, my siblings are more likely to get in my way than be of assistance Mario and Gregory come to mind."

Luke nodded in agreement, the mention of Ares cabin's meanest residents made the older boy wince. The fact that one of them would soon succeed Brock once he left was a scary notion.

"Count me in," Luke said immediately. He knew George had ambitions to become head counselor and if this meant he would be able to pass over those two, then Luke was eager to help."

George however was surprised, "really?"

"Really."

"Huh, I was half expecting you to refuse saying you wanted to watch over Thalia and Annabeth."

Luke hook his head, "those two will be fine, besides-" he said assuring. but as much as helping George was a factor, Luke had a deeper reasons for accepting. "-my father hasn't given me a quest yet, as you once said, training is good but it's second hand to experience. This will give me that for when I get my turn. Also-" He placed a hand on George's shoulder, "you saved Thalia's life, I haven't forgotten that. This is the least I could do."

"Just promise you'll ask me when your turn comes," George quipped with a smile.

Luke nodded with a chuckle, "I can do that."

George sighed in relief, "excellent, now all that's needed if to find the third member of our little trio."

"Who else have you asked."

"You were the first," George admitted. "In a perfect world we could ask Thalia, but considering the Lord below has it out for her, that's out of the question. Annabeth is too young, so we can forget that. We need someone different, someone who hasn't gone on a quest."

"That won't be hard," Luke assured him. "Most demigods here are eager to go on a quest so we won't be starving for volunteers."

George frowned, "And that raises the biggest question, with so many potential candidates who do we choose." He rubbed his chin, "it has to be someone that would not only be useful; but can be relied upon."

"Who are you thinking?" Luke asked knowing George had something in mind.

"I'm thinking about asking one of the minor demigods. They keep rattling on about wanting more recognition, this way we can give them a chance to prove their mettle."

Luke nodded, usually it was the children of the main 12 that got quests but recently a few of the minor demigods had gotten quests.

Helena was able to complete a quest of her own with Jonah Cade and Beatrix Wayne to find her mother's apple of discord which she somehow misplaced during one of her schemes. An honest mistake no doubt.

The Hex Sisters completed their quest to retrieve the Cerynieian Hind for Aphrodite. Apparently, Artemis had turned one of her sons into a jackalope so she tasked someone to capture the Hind before the Hunters of Artemis could. Few were willing since the prowess of the Hunters was known to all. So the Hex Sisters decided to give it a try. They succeeded but earned the ire of the Hunters in the process.

As expected they had several volunteers so George decided to have them draw straws to ensure fairness in the selection. In the end Allison Facillier, Counselor of Hecate Cabin, won the honor. Not a bad choice in George's mind, between his and Luke's martial prowess, a magic user would be of immense help.

With their team now assembled, George began packing his backpack and duffle bag to prepare for tomorrow's journey. It included just about everything he had brought with him on the journey here. Med kit, emergency rations, toiletries, clothes, really the only thing he would not be bringing was that ridiculous camp shirt. There was one major difference this time, and that was armour and weapons. his new gear included, a breastplate, greaves and bracers, which were disguised as Sportspads and hidden under his clothes and a helmet disguised as a motorcycle helmet. He now also had a double ended spear disguised as a tactical shovel and a shield disguised in the right arm brace.

The next morning, he got up, put on his armour and his clothes over it, made his bed, and placed folded his camp shirts over it. After Breakfast, George returned to his cabin to bid his siblings farewell. Most of it was curt while Mario and Gregory didn't bother at all.

"Bring glory to our cabin Soldier Boy," Brock said firmly shaking his hand.

"I don't require glory," George replied, "only results for my parents." He frowned, "in any case I will come back successful or not at all."

Brock nodded, "father will be extremely wrought if you fail."

George gave a curt nod and left to meet up with Luke and Allison.

In contrast to George, Luke was dressed more casually with a t-shirt and jeans and sneakers. His sword was strapped to his hip and a shield slung over his shoulder, along with his backpack.

Allison was wearing a blue tailcoat, white undershirt, and grey tight fitting pants. A necklace of monster's teeth were strung around her neck. A staff with a skull on the head was in her hand.

Thalia embraced Luke tightly and gave him a peck on the cheek, "Come back safely," she commanded, "or I will chase you all around Tartarus."

Luke nodded, "I promise," he said with a smile before turning to Annabeth who was sulking.

"I still don't see why I can't come along." She said with her arms crossed.

Luke sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder. "you're still too young, Annabeth."

"He's right," Thalia agreed placing a hand on Annabeth's other shoulder, "You still haven't finished your training, and these quests are dangerous."

"Besides," Luke cut in, "Someone needs to keep Thalia company while we're away."

Annabeth looked back at Thalia and nodded reluctantly, "okay," she resigned with a sigh.

Thalia patted her head, "don't worry," she assured her, 'You're still young so you'll get your chance one day."

"I hope so," Annabeth replied, "I don't intend to spent the rest of my life cooped up here." She turned to George, "look after Luke," she said with a warning glare.

Thalia nodded, "we won't forgive you if he dies."

George nodded, "of course, it's my duty to make sure my comrades return home safely." He shook Thalia's hand and Annabeth gave him a hug. Despite the rivalry of their cabins, like Luke, she had not forgotten what he had done for Thalia.

After saying their farewells, George turned to Luke and Allison, "are you both ready?"

Luke nodded and Allison was giddy with excitement. "I still can't believe I finally get to go on a quest. Now I can win glory for my Cabin and mother."

"Glory for all of us," George agreed.

The trio set off to the car where Argus would drive them off the grounds. Then their adventure would begin.