"So tell me Perseus what did you learn?" Clarisse asked as they walked the streets of Havana.

Not wasting anymore time he explained everything. About what he heard in the mansion, all the Annabeth told him, what he read in the letters she had, and about how they were planning on capturing one of the Naval forts. Even though he had given his crew two days to decide they had announced that, they want to attack the fort. Their argument was that they risk their lives everyday so if the reward was this great they should at least try. Perseus was proud of his crew that day.

As soon as they arrived at Havana Annabeth parted ways, which it was fine since, Perseus set out to find Clarisse. Her ship was proudly sitting in the water but finding her in the city was more difficult. Eventually he did and Clarisse didn't waste any time getting down to business.

Clarisse listen intently at his story. Only interrupting to ask a question or for him to elaborate more. When he was done Clarisse was unusually silent.

"What do you know?" He asked staring. He fully expected her to either think attack the fort was stupid or ask to join along.

Clarisse sighed and looked around, as if she was expected to be over heard. Grabbing his arm, she pulled them into an empty pathway between two buildings. "I have heard of these Nightingale group before. They aren't a group you want to get on the bad side off. They have eyes and ears in every city and have the ability to make people disappear. They must be really desperate for them to come to you for help."

"Annabeth meeting me in the mansion wasn't intentional but she did seem desperate for our help." They got quite as a group of guards passed by, unaware of them there. "So what do you suggest we do? Annabeth is right that our actions have a negative consequent to these people. Because we refused to sign the Olympus's pardon they are bringing in reinforcements. By capturing the forts we will be prevent that from happening. It will even be beneficial to all pirates since we will have control of the water."

"I'm not saying for you to not do this. The reward is too great. However, you don't know what you are getting yourself into by allying with the Nightingales. They have a way to make you do things that they want while getting you to think that you are in control. You must be careful."

"How do you know this?" His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"I told you I have meet them before."

"You mean you have worked with them."

Clarisse glared at him. "Do whatever you want. Just don't come asking for my help if you get screwed over."

"Are you ready lads?" Perseus shouted clenching Blackjack's wheel. His men yelled in responded. "Are the mortar shots ready?"

"Ye Captain. Loaded and ready to fire on your command." Christ responded.

"And the cannons?"

"Loaded as well." A random crew men call out.

"Fort up ahead Captain!" His scout cried out.

"That is Fort Conttoyor." Annabeth told him pulling out her gun and knife. "Avoid it's mortar shots. They will take down your ship in just two hits. Use your speed to your advantage and we should be able to win this."

Perseus nodded his focus on their target up ahead. Fort Conttoyor was located on a single island giving it the advantage to attack any approaching ships on all sides. He counted three Olympus ships in the area but he wouldn't be surprised if more shows up. Suddenly the familiar sound of cannon fire echoed from the fort, signaling the start of the battle.

Very quickly, Perseus realized that the only reason they have avoided the mortar attacks was the speed of the Blackjack. But the shells still landed in the water nearby rocking the ship and reminding him of the danger they are in. The first priority was to take out the ships so that they can focus all their efforts on the Fort. The three ships where Frigates. It took some time and Blackjack took several hits but they manage to sick, and even loot one, of the ships.

"FIRE AT THAT BATTLEMENT!" Perseus shouted pointing to one of the many circular battlements that contain the fort's mortars. Blackjack's mortars and broadside cannons shook the ship as they. The thick stone walls collapsed in a pile of smoke and dust.

"Fire the cannons at will!" He shouted again as they circled around the fort. The heavy shot canons landed in the stone walls but didn't do much else. The smell of smoke, fires burning, and explosives filled the air. Perseus could feel his heart beating against his chest in excitement and fear.

"Again!"

"Take out all the battlements and then we can get inside and finish them off!" Annabeth shouted over the loud sounds.

Perseus was able to figure out the best pattern to take out the fort. Using Blackjack's speed as an advantage he would the mortar shots when further way and use that that time to reload the other canons. Typically he was able to get at least two mortar shots off before getting up close. When close enough they would fire the broadside canons with normal and heavy shots. The chain shots weren't as effective but still did some damage. Even though the Blackjack is the fast ship he know it still took several canon hits but surprisingly not as much as it did when fighting the Galleon.

"We did it Captain!" Grover shouted as the last battlement crumbled and fell into the sea.

"Arm yourself lads! Let's dock and take this as our own!" Perseus shouted spinning the wheel as his men shouted in excitement. They ran around is organized chaos pulling rope to steer and bring in the sails, arming themselves with guns and swords.

"Take out or capture the commander and the rest will surrender." Annabeth told him.

Perseus nodded. "Do you know where we will find him?"

Annabeth shook her head. "No but he will be easy to find."

Once the Blackjack was docked, Perseus walked over to Grover putting a hand on his shoulder. "Should this battle end in my death or capture you are too take all survivors and retreat. Blackjack will be yours." He said in a hushed voice so only the two of them can hear.

Grover looked over his shoulder and nodded grimly. Perseus nodded, pulled out his sword and climb up on the side of the ship. Lifting his sword high in the air he shouted, "We have made it this far Lad! We shall not loose now! Rise the Black-flag and this will be ours!"

His men shouted, stomped their feet, and raised their weapons in excitement. Perseus jumped off the ship onto the weathered wooden deck and ran up to the heavily damaged fort. His crew following close behind. Large pieced of the former battlements and stone walls littered the ground. Heat from fires nearly burned his skin as he climbed over destroyed walls. Smoke and dust filled the air but cleared some when they got over a partly crumbled wall onto the second level.

His men didn't wait for an order before jumping down attacking the Olympus soldiers. The sounds of men yelling, gun shots, and the clang of swords ranged out. He joined the battle helping anyone who looked to be in trouble while keeping an eye out for anyone who could be the commander. He also made sure that he could both Annabeth and Grove at all times. Watching as Annabeth took on three guards at once with just her knife and a gun was impressive.

Pushing a guard against the wall he pointed his gun at the man's chest. The guard eyes widen and stop struggling. "Where is your commander?" Perseus demanded.

"Please don't kill me! He is up there!" The man said pointing a shaking figure to the large wooden doors not too far away.

"Tie this man up." Perseus said pushing the man to one of his crewmembers. Running over to Annabeth, he helped her talk down the person she was fighting. "Let's go get the commander." He said not waiting to see if she would follow before working his way over to where the guard had pointed.

Most of his men were fighting the other guards that had taken stand in the area except for three that was right in front of the door.

"Kill the pirates!" One shouted pointing at Perseus.

A gun shot ranged out, one of the soldiers dropped to the ground. Perseus quickly stashed down one man with his sword and shot the other. Both men fell to the ground next to the third.

"Good shot," Perseus said looking behind him at Annabeth.

She glanced at him as she reloaded her gun. "Just break down that door already. Let's finish this."

Perseus nodded and kicked at the large wooden door. It opens enough for them to file in. It was a large windowless room, lit by many candles scattered around the room. There was a few chests along one wall and a large table with many rolls of papers. The commander jumped out of the large chair, sending it falling to the floor.

He raised his hands in surrender. "Please don't kill me! I will do anything you want!"

Perseus walked over and put his gun to the commander back and a hand on his shoulder. "Tell your men to surrender." He said leading the officer outside. Several minutes later all those that had surrender was locked up in a random rooms that was still accessible. The Blackflag was flying high above the fort.

"Some of those that surrender will like to join us." Grover said looking around at the heavily damaged fort.

"We will consider it." Perseus said running a hand though his hair. "We need people to man this fort anyways. However I need to make sure they won't switch back over."

Grover nodded. "What now? Once word reaches the other forts and Olympus they will make attempts to retake this and kill us all."

Perseus sighed heavily. "Now we fight this war that we have started."