7- Preparation

"It's time I'm allowed to go get Zoe."

Aster was currently standing in the Big House, Mr. D and Chiron sitting in front of him. Chiron being in his wheelchair because he's inside.

Chiron frowned, shifting in his chair uncomfortably. "Well, young Ast-"

"No Chiron. You will not and cannot convince me otherwise." Aster cut him off, already knowing he was going to say something about incredible danger. "Either I go with approval, or I go on my own and take Zoe to this other camp in San Francisco that you seem to hate talking about."

That did the trick. Chiron's mouth slowly closed, having been put in a tough spot. Glancing at Dionysus, he gestured for him to speak.

Sighing heavily, the god turned his head towards Aster. "You speak of things that you have no right to, Albus."

Aster raised an eyebrow at hearing his name being butchered but continued to listen.

"Plus, we have satyrs watching her every move. There's no... All right fine I see your point." The wine god sighed again. "If it'll get you out of my hair for the foreseeable future, you can go on your little trip."

Aster swore he could feel a weight come off of his shoulders. Nodding his head, he asked his next question. "Any conditions?"

Mr. D nodded, "Take two campers with you of your choice. That's all." He then waved towards the door. "Now run along, I have a game to finish with Chiron here."

Shaking his head, Aster ran out of the Big House before Chiron had the chance to object, knowing that he was the mythical equivalent of a helicopter mom.

"Thank you Mr. D. I'll be back with a new camper or two before you know it!"

Quickly arriving at Cabin 4, which still hasn't been renovated, he grabbed a bag and started stuffing it with important things. Rations, drachmas, cash, etc.

Slinging the pack over his shoulder, Aster ran out and towards Cabin 6 to pick up his first partner.

'Annabeth has to go with Percy, so I might as well grab the next best option. Malcolm Pace.' He thought, reaching the cabin in no time.

Cabin 6 looked like an architect's wet dream. The outside resembled the Temple of Athena in Athens if it was kept in proper maintenance.

Aster walked up to the door, knocking on its open frame to announce his presence. Looking inside, he could see the sight explained in the books.

The interior was unlike all the other cabins, the beds pushed up against the wall to make room for what could only be called a library. Books and scrolls strewn about as if someone had thrown them around while frantically looking for something.

Currently, there weren't many campers in Cabin 6, adding up to a total of 7 people. Amongst them was of course Annabeth and her stormy eyes that had already begun digging into him and his mark, Malcolm.

"What's going on? And why are you packed like you're gonna leave camp?" Annabeth asked, a confused tinge leaking out through her voice.

Aster smirked. "Because I am."

Her eyes shot open in surprise and Aster could see the gears turning in her head.

"That's why I'm here- I need two campers to come with me and help my sister get back to camp." He explained.

Annabeth nodded, stepping forward as if he would pick her. 'This is my chance. I knew he would end up stirring up trouble.'

"I'll co-" She started, but was cut off by Aster.

"Malcolm. I want you to come with me. " He said, stunning the both of them. Annabeth in particular.

"W-What? Why?" She stammered, her calculative mask slipping for a moment, before sliding back onto her face. "I have much more experience than him. I'm a safer bet."

Malcolm looked hurt for a brief second, but Aster came to his rescue. "You're right. You do have more experience... in the mythical side of our lives. I'm not going on some hand quest to save the world. Just my sister."

She just seemed to become more frustrated at his reasoning. "That's exactly why I should go with you! I-"

"Annabeth, for once stop being so desperate to take the spotlight and think about what else is happening in camp!" Aster raised his voice over hers. "You're smart, so I'm sure you've already figured out who his father is."

Annabeth's mouth snapped shut, remembering how she had grilled Chiron earlier that very day.

"Because of that, you also know that a much bigger problem will soon reach camp. And for that, he'll need you. We'll all need you." Aster finished, nodding to Malcolm before running out, leaving the both of them in stunned silence.

---

'With that annoyance dealt with, let's grab my next 'buddy.' He thought, entering Cabin 11.

Barging straight in, his eyes snapped to the older boy with a moppy head of dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. "Luke, wanna leave camp with me?"

Luke, who was sitting on his bed with his back on it and his legs leaning against the wall, froze. Slowly, he panned his head over to Aster before a sly grin broke out on his face.

"You had me at leave."

Hopping up from his bed, he knelt and grabbed a pre-packed bag from underneath. 'Of course, he's ready to leave camp. He's the son of the god of thieves after all.'

Slinging his bag on his back, Luke turned back to Aster. "When do we leave?"

Nodding his head, Aster turned to leave. "In an hour tops. It's nearly noon and I want to use the daylight while we're still out here."

"First though, we have to meet up with Malcolm before I test something..."

---

[Half an hour later]

Standing near the edge of the camp, Aster, Luke, and Malcolm were looking at the plain compass in Aster's hand.

"It was a gift from a god. It can't be useless." He muttered, before focusing his thoughts.

'I want to find my sister, Zoe Alba.'

The survival tool in his palm burst into life, the dial spinning rapidly before settling in a direction. West.

Aster broke out into a smile. "Haha, I knew it worked!"

The other two boys were confused at his excitement though. "What's so special about the thing though?" Luke asked.

Chuckling, he handed the boy the compass. "Think about what you want the most. Object you want, or a person you want to find."

Thinking for a moment, the dial spun before pointing in Malcolm's direction.

Luke's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Aster, you have no idea how bad the camp needed something like this. We've lost so many people..."

"We can use the compass to find unclaimed half-bloods!" Malcolm burst out with sudden energy, a sparkle entering his eyes as he thought about all the kids he could save with it.

Nodding, Aster agreed with the both of them

"And we will. I'll lend it out whenever I'm not out myself."

"But enough about that for now. We should get going before the light fades." He said, grabbing the compass back from Luke.

"It's time we go retrieve my sister."