A Fresh Start - Chapter 2 New Life.
The first five months flew by for everyone except Murphy. Every time Emori stirred, he was on edge.
He had gained a lot in the 4 1/2 years inside the bunker; earning Marcus's trust in the newly formed guard. He had just begun to get comfortable in the uniform when he learned he would be a father. The news just made him more determined to carve a place out for his family among his people. He was tired of being treated like vermin, and he realized he had to act differently to earn the respect he wanted.
Skaikru had returned to Arkadia after they left the bunker and were trying to rebuild. They decided it was still their home even after the fire the devastated most of the upper units. The grounder clans had returned home for the most part, although there were a few that intermixed within other Clans. Skaikru had grown because of it. A lot of the grounders looked at them differently once they were inside the bunker. Skaikru had saved them, and they wanted to be a part of them because of it. Many people lost everything. Entire clans were wiped off the earth with primfaya, when they were unable to find shelter in time.
Ilian was alone now. His clan was one that did not survive. He had a rocky start in the bunker surrounded by people that wanted him dead just weeks earlier when he set fire to Arkadia. Marcus made sure he stayed safe, and there was only one small altercation, but it was quickly handled by Miller. Ilian found purpose in the hydroponics lab, he was good at gardening, and his demeanor made him easy to like. Farm station had control of the operation and they kept a steady supply of vegetables, but it was hard work and required many hands. He seemed to fit right in and soon made friends. Octavia was happy to see it. They had grown closer and although he could never replace Lincoln, he still found a place in her heart.
Marcus had set goals for the camp, and everything was bustling. Cabins were going up, and the farm station team had set up the hydroponic gardens on a much larger scale with plenty of room to grow. Several of the clans came by to get pointers on setting up their own gardens, and for the first time the people felt hope.
Monty had built radios and taught someone from each clan how to use them. The bunker had plenty of old supplies in storage, and he was able to put together five. They still had the walkies and the clans were able to stay in touch.
Ice nation had moved their village into Polis, basically taking claim of the city. No one argued over it. They had changed in the bunker under Roans rule. He was good for his people.
Marcus was surprised when he got the message that Roan and a large group were heading to Arkadia on a diplomatic mission. He hoped nothing was wrong, and Roan sounded strange, as if he had some important news.
Emori went into labor about noon. It was taking some time, and although Murphy knew he needed to be there, he wanted to be anywhere but there. He didn't like the drama of it, and after having had his hands in Emori's chest pumping her heart, he had seen enough blood to last a lifetime. But he played along, and did the right thing.
Abby had her hands full, Jackson was there to assist. Murphy was holding Emori's hand, talking her through the labor when the baby came. "It's a boy," Abby smiled. "He's perfect," she added.
"A son," Murphy said with a smile.
"He's normal with hands like Johns?" Emori asked with a quivering chin.
"He has my hands, so he's not totally perfect like his mother," John whispered. He leaned down and kissed her softly.
"Would you like to hold your son?" Abby said as she handed the baby to John.
"Careful of his head," Abby said as Murphy carefully took the baby and looked down upon it.
Jackson got on the intercom. "Attention. Were pleased to announce our first citizen has been born inside Arkadia; a healthy baby boy. His name is Oton Murphy."
Cheers could be heard throughout.
Suddenly Marcus was on the radio. "Abby I need you at the gate ASAP," he said.
"Marcus, is it something that can wait?" she asked over the speaker.
"No, you need to be here," he said
Abby pulled off her gloves. Jackson, can you finish up here, there's something going on outside," she said. "Emori, Jackson is going to finish up and get you settled," she told the girl.
She left the new family with Jackson and could hear the commotion as she approached the exit door. Making her way through the crowd, she saw something she thought was impossible. It was Clarke and Raven. They were with Roan, Luna and over 100 others. They were with a large group, and at first glance she could tell they were not grounders. Abby didn't care who they were. She ran to her daughter with tears of joy. "We thought you were dead," she cried. "We lost you on radar, your ship blew up!" she cried. She pulled back and held Clarke's face in her trembling hands. "I just want to look at you," she cried.
"No were fine," Clarke said. She was looking beyond Abby for the familiar lock of black hair. She didn't see it. "Bellamy?" she asked.
Abby reached out and hugged Raven.
Clarke kept looking around. Monty rushed up and greeted her with a hug, followed by Harper.
"Clarke, where have you been? What happened?" Marcus asked.
"Bellamy" Clarke shouted through the commotion, ignoring his question. "Where's Bellamy?" Clarke asked Marcus.
"Clarke he left months ago; when we opened the bunker doors. He just disappeared," Marcus said.
"Disappeared? No, no I'm back, we came back. We went to Polis to meet you outside when the doors opened. Roan said you got out five months ago. The doors weren't due to open for another month yet," she said.
People were beginning to crowd them. "Everyone, back to work," he shouted.
"Marcus, this is Colonel Rollins." Clarke said. "These are the people from The Albatross." Clarke said.
"Did you say the Albatross?" Kane repeated
"Yes," Colonel Rollins answered him. "I take it that you've heard of it. You know what it was."
Marcus knew. He knew the Albatross was a penile colony; it was a ship of prisoners. The concern was clear on his face.
"Chancellor Kane. We've not had prisoners onboard in 50 plus years. You have nothing to worry about." Colonel Rollins said.
Marcus relaxed a little. "Yes I guess that makes sense," he said "Welcome to Arkadia" he said clearly as he held out his hand.
Inside his office, Clarke filled Marcus and Abby in on what happened. She and Raven made it to the rocket. Their takeoff went without a hitch. Communication was lost when a small explosion blew out the antennas. Raven assumed it was from age. But the blast also knocked off the radar tracking device, making it appear the ship was lost. Lucky for the two the ship stayed on course and Raven was able to manually dock with the Albatross. They had no clue it still had passengers. It was a ship full of regular people just like the Ark; people that were born in space. They were the descendants of the crew and its prisoners. The original passengers were long dead.
They were shocked to see Clarke and Raven, who spend almost 5 years with them; getting them ready to come to earth. All 100 were night bloods, and Clarke had gathered enough bone marrow over the course of time for everyone. There would be no more radiation sickness on Earth.
She thought she would be the lone donor, and spend 5 agonizing years harvesting her own marrow, but once she and Raven explained everything, the people on board were happy to donate their marrow after they had been given Clarke's. It was kept preserved and survived to landing. The citizens of the Albatross had no clue the Earth was survivable.
"Raven, what about the hemorrhage in your brain?" Abby asked.
"It's gone. Along with other things," she said.
"What other things?" Abby asked
"Well, I'm not saying I'm not smart, I'm probably smarter than anyone here," she quipped. "But my abilities aren't what they were five years ago. It's like, when I got the night blood, it cured the hemorrhage, but it also wiped out the rest of ALIE. I'm just back to being my awesome, amazing self," she said.
"How many people are here in Arkadia" Clarke asked. "We have Polis covered, they are getting injected as we speak, but we need to get our people here treated, and then move on to Trekru, and the other villages."
"We have four hundred and thirty eight," Marcus said.
"Four hundred and thirty nine," Abby corrected him.
"Oh that's right," Marcus smiled. "John and Emori just had a baby," he said
"Wa-wait, what?" Clarke stammered. "Murphy's a father?" she asked in a shocked tone.
"Little Oton was born not 30 minutes ago, just before you got here," Abby smiled.
