Linx007: Fear not, my friend, I mean to do it a bit differently than most other people. Mostly because I want the added drama of ME humans being like 'Ohshiet' when The Empire shows up, and because I want to destroy Cerberus, which would never exist or last long under The Empire.
Biblio388: my older stories are somewhat lower quality, lol. If you start with my oldest ones and work your way up, you will notice the difference in my writing. Makes updating those older stories basically impossible too. I read them and cringe so hard.
LadyLozz97: In response to your latest post, Nia won't be brushed off, but she won't be the major threat from the Ice Nation. Nor will Sylvanas, I promise. She is just as good as you think she is. And yeah, Abby was appalling in canon. I mean, all the adults were bad, but she was the worst. Anyone with eyes could tell the kids had things well in hand, but the adults thought they knew better. Honestly, that pisses me off almost as much as the writers making Lexa stupid during the end of S2. All the bullshit excuses of 'made decision with head, not heart' are total crap. She is to smart militarily to ignore that letting the Maunon free of the Mountain would severely harm her people in the long run. The fact that her being an Oath-Breaker in a medieval warrior society was totally ignored was salt in the wound. They needed drama to end the season, so they made Lexa stupid. I mean, stupid decision abound from fucking S1E1, but that took the cake. And I appreciate anything you can give me, having a reader engage me on this level is what I live for!
Just Being Helpful: Thanks. Got one asshole named Finn mixed up with another asshole named Finn hahaha.
Queen_Ware32: Welcome to the party!
Okay guys, here we go. The 100 arriving, the trials starting, and Clarke flaunting her epicness to Diane and Shumay (though she doesn't move against them immediately, she has a cunning plan!) in Avalon! Enjoy, review, all that good stuff!
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Nothing Is True (Save For The Blood We've Shed)
Chapter 20
The Trials Begin
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"All rise for the honorable Judges Griffin, kom Trikru, and kom Azgeda." Anya, acting as the bailiff, announced sternly to the large courtroom as the three women entered. The assembled witnesses, counsels, guards, and spectators either rose or came to attention. The accused defendants remained steadfastly seated, though no one was surprised of their contempt of court.
"Be seated." Clarke addressed the assembly as the three judges sat down. There was a soft storm of sound as she was obeyed, and she took the moment to observe the room at large. Shaped much like a conventional courtroom, it was larger by several magnitudes. Scribes from every Tribe stood ready to dutifully record every word and action, drones with cameras were transmitting every moment, and the noise of the crowd outside was vaguely audible. "For the record, I will state the following: I am Clarke Griffin, serving as judge alongside Nia kom Azgeda and Lexa kom Trikru, Heda of the Coalition."
She indicated herself, her two companions, and then several other people in turn, including a life-sized hologram of ALIE, depicting her in a long red dress.
"Acting as Prosecutor on the behalf of the people of The Coalition will be none other than Caris, Clan Head of the Desert Clan. Acting as Representative For the Defense will be the artificial intelligence ALIE. Due to her programming, she will present all relevant evidence and arguments honestly and as an unbiased entity. Finally, I would like to welcome and thank all those in attendance willing to testify." She nodded her thanks to the mass behind the railings. Taking a deep, prepatory breathe, she uttered the sentence everyone had been waiting for. "Clan Leader Caris, your opening statement if you please."
"Yes, Your Honor." Caris rose from her seat and folded her hands behind her back as she paced slightly. "We, The People, formally bring the following charges against the leaders of Mount Weather: human experimentation, slavery, cannibalism, rape, torture, dehumanization, murder, kidnapping, massacres, attempted genocide, terrorism, and numerous lesser crimes. Each of the aforementioned crimes have nearly uncountable victims over the course of the last century. Given the length of time and insufficient records, we cannot provide an exact count."
"Given the crimes of which they are accused, a single guilty verdict will bear the same result as a thousand." Nia commented dryly, eyeing the sheets of information provided that defined each crime and their punishments. A light chuckle ran around the room as Caris nodded in agreement. "Representative For the Defense?"
"Your Honor, my clients enter of the plea of not guilty. They further contest the impartiality of this court, and its legitimacy to pass any form of judgement." ALIE said crisply. "They move for immediate dismissal of all charges."
"The motion is denied. This court is a legitimate body established by a recognized government. The fact that said government was at war with their own does give some grounds to question impartiality." Clarke responded as the observers murmured angrily at the mere suggestion of the charges being dropped. "However, not only is there an established precedent from the Nurembourg Trials, but there is no neutral party currently available to act as a judicial system. Madam Prosecutor, your first witness, if you please."
"I would like to call to the stand…"
Tribesperson after tribesperson came to the stand and told their individual stories, and time after time ALIE protested that any evidence supporting their claims were conspicuously absent. There were no records indicating the named individuals had been taken by The Mountain, after all. Ultimately, these protests were pro-forma and futile, but that was entirely expected.
"My next witness shall be Vinvent Vie…" Caris started several hours later, and ALIE immediately sprang to her feet.
"Objection! The named individual is guilty of treason, sedition, espionage, defection, and sabotage! His testimony is inapplicable to this court, as the quality of his oath and his motivations are highly suspect!" she called out, and the judges sat back and conversed seriously for several long moments.
"The point is conceded. While the court believes that Mr. Vie's morality is of great legitimacy, we accept that his conviction under the Mount Weather code of law are equally legitimate, as is the fact that he is indeed in abeyance of his oaths to that government. As lie detector tests are thus far inadmissible in court, the objection is sustained." Clarke announced with manifest reluctance, causing a triumphant smirk to break out on the face of every Maunon leader.
"Very well, Your Honor. In that case, we call Maya Vie to the stand. As a minor, she had not yet sworn and oath of loyalty to the Mountain, and thus she cannot be convicted or charged with the disqualifying crimes." Caris pressed on, less than pleased that one of her star witnesses had been disqualified, but she had overwhelming weight of numbers on her side. Besides, Maya's story was particularly emotional. It would add some sympathy quotient to Clarke's efforts of unification.
Maya took the stand, swearing herself in quickly and with audible honesty…and trepidation.
"Ms. Vie, can you give us some background on how your father formed his group, the ones who helped us capture The Mountain?" Caris posed her first question, and Maya nodded briskly.
"My farther and mother started a passive resistance moment, accepting only the absolute minimum for blood transfusions. My…my mom got sick and refused the transfusions she needed to save her life. When she died, my Dad had to take the usual regimen. His ideals had meant mom dying, and following them afterwards risked making me an orphan. Hell of a choice for him to make." She explained, visibly proud of her parents but also missing her mother.
"One that I can't imagine making myself, to be frank." Caris said softly, giving her a moment to compose herself before posing her next question. "Can you tell us about the events leading up to your communication with Lady Clarke and Heda Lexa?"
"Well, it all started when Clarke landed. The Council met and decided that they would try to find her and bring her to Mount Weather. Dr. Tsieng theorized that that experimentation on Clarke would provide a method to give us the same immunity to radiation that you and she possessed at the time, though of course that is no longer necessary thanks to Clarke's generosity." Maya started to explain, and there was an immediate furor, a rumble of discontent and anger at the idea of the Maunon having succeeded.
"Order! There will be order in the court!" Clarke chastised sharply, rapping her gavel sharply on the polished marble disk on the podium before her. "Regardless of how displeased what you hear makes you, comport yourselves with grace, dignity, and maturity! Continue, Ms. Vie."
"Yes, Your Honor. After that, things were quiet for some time. Eventually, the agent of Clarke's named Galina found us and overheard us talking about stopping Cage and seeking peace with The Coalition. She took a radio with which to arrange our contact with Clarke and vanished. We later got in touch with Clarke, Heda Lexa, and their generals and set things in motion."
"I see. And why do you think that the vast majority of the population went along with the assuredly immoral and unconciseable actions of their leaders?" Caris inquired, and Maya gave a small grimace and a half-shrug.
"What other options were there? Watch their loved ones die in agony as their flesh boiled off of their bones? Consign their entire population to horrific deaths until Mount Weather was nothing more than a tomb?" she asked rhetorically, eyes sad. "Would you kill strangers to save those that you loved? I would, but then again I would have tried simply asking your people for help in the first place."
Then it was ALIE's turn to question Maya as the representative for the defense, and the tension in the courtroom rose by several degrees of severity.
"Ms. Vie, you admit that other solutions for protection and survival of your people were essentially nonexistent. That the actions they took were indeed the only ones that they could under the given circumstances. How, then, can it be claimed that those actions were inherently criminal?" she posed the question easily, hands folded behind her back as she regarded the young woman, who was now frowning at her.
"Not only were they lacking in basic morality, but they were in direct violation of numerous treaties. Since we of Mount Weather professed to be the United States of America, there is no legal justification." She responded coolly, trying to remember that the AI was only doing her job. "Furthermore, I did say that there was the option of simply asking for help. I can only imagine what the world would be like if the Mountain and The Coalition had been friends and allies for the last century."
"But you admit that it was not considered a viable or effective alternative at any point? Perhaps because of the less than civilized behavior of The Coalition's member tribes?" ALIE pressed on, recognizing an attack angle when she saw one. 'The accounts of the scouts over the last century indicate that the cultural and societal degeneration had reached a level that would bring undue danger to their people. Crude and unjust laws, rape, rampant slavery, widespread murder and cruelty…it would have been outright endangerment to expose them to that."
"Objection! The question has been discarded for the sake of making a narrative argument!" Caris shouted, rising from her seat, and ALIE looked up at the judges with something akin to wide-eyed innocence.
"Your Honor, I am simply establishing the context for the situations that her leaders found themselves within so that she understand the gravity of their situation." She protested, but Lexa shook her head firmly.
"The explanation doesn't have any bearing on the question, as it was largely opinion-based. The objection is sustained. Rephrase the question or withdraw it." She rebuked, and ALIE was silent for a long moment.
"Very well. Miss Vie, do you agree that the degenerated society of the tribes gave adequate cause for a policy of extreme isolationism?"
"Only of recent years, given the deep-rooted animosity created by the refusal in integrate and the actions taken by consecutive leaderships." Maya answered reluctantly, knowing that it was a point for ALIE's side of the argument.
"No further questions." ALIE sat down in front of a very smug-looking group of defendants while Maya stepped down from the stand.
"It is now six p.m., thus court has been in session for some eight hours. As such, we are in recess until ten o' clock in the morning tomorrow." Clarke declared after another short consultation with her fellows, rapping her gavel twice. Everyone, the accused aside, once again displayed the proper respect as the three judges departed.
"Well, that was interesting." Nia commented dryly once the trio was in private. Dropping into a luxurious chair with a sigh, she shook her head a little tiredly. "your trials are more intensive than I had thought, but it is a good thing. Far less likely to have mistrials with this system, and certainly superior for dramatic purposes."
"Indeed, though of course regular trials aren't nearly so massive in scope." Clarke dipped her head in tired agreement. "ALIE is doing a good job, and despite my desire to punish those bastards, I can't quite bring myself to regret assigning her. We all know how this will end, but a fair and just trial is never a bad idea."
"Yes. Regardless of their motivation, they intended to break even more laws, without having the excuse of pre-established bias as they did with us, by performing the same or worse experiments on you and your people." Lexa added sourly. "Their excuses for all of it ring hollow and false, not to mention appallingly hypocritical. It might take time, but their own records and testimonies will damn them."
"Aye, that they will. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to return to my lodgings and eat. I never knew just sitting around and listening to people talk for hours on end could make someone this hungry." Nia bid them farewell as she rose to her feet once more and departed, leaving the pair to return to their palace home and the loved ones waiting therein.
"Arrogant little fuckers, aren't they, spouting all that shit and expecting it will hold any water whatsoever." Raven spat, rubbing her large belly gently, something she had taken to doing when stressed. Lexa's hand dropped to her own much smaller baby bump, artfully hidden by the loose robes of her current duty. A few more weeks and even that wouldn't hide it. "No offense, ALIE. I know you're just the proverbial messenger."
"None taken, Companion. Some of their arguments are indeed ludicrous, but I'll make do with what I have. Meanwhile, the 100 should be coming down soon. Might I recommend putting Sydney on trial as well? It will lend significant credibility if Clarke sits in judgment of one of her own people." The AI flickered into view, and the group murmured to one another in consideration. It was a good plan, they had planned to just deal with Diane in a summery fashion, but ALIE's idea was far superior.
"Good idea, ALIE. Speaking of them, how should we greet them when they land? A dramatic appearance in full regalia, giving a group of warriors bring them before me in the Throne Room? Or act like I've been living off of the land all this time?" Clarke mused aloud, somewhat fond of the dramatic display ideas.
"I think that Octavia should take say two hundred hussars to bring the 100 here, with wagons. That should make quite the impression on them. They'll be escorted to the throne room where the rest of us will be waiting." Lexa mused, nodding to the quiet and thoughtful-looking brunette. "It will also help establish her value and legitimacy as one of your primary representatives and ranking officers."
"It will also show the 100 just how different the ground is. They remember Octavia as the girl from The Ark, and she is far, far more than that now." Anya pointed out, making the girl in question flush in embarrassment and pride.
"That works. We'll want to ensure a suitably impressive sight when they arrive, just to drive home the fact that this world, this incredible city through which they will be lead, is mine." Clarke agreed, pleased at the thought of displaying her power, her authority. It would put them off balance masterfully.
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"Ten minutes and counting to launch…" Jaha muttered to himself, staring at the planet below them through the window of his quarters. This was it, the first step to reclaiming the future of Humanity. Sure, he was risking a not-insignificant amount of the future's physical embodiement, but it was for a good cause. The risk was also negligible compared to what it would have been had others not already been sent. "This is it…"
"Yes, this is it. For you, Jaha." A male voice growled from behind him, and he spun around to see Bellamy Blake pointing a pistol at him. "You shouldn't have broken your vow to Clarke, you would have lived longer. This is for Octavia!"
Two shots roared out and Jaha staggered as twin burning spikes drove into his stomach. He collapsed to his knees, clutching at it with wide, horrified eyes, and Blake tucked the gun into hiding before dasing away. As the darkness closed in, Jaha idly wondered if Abby would be glad that he was gone, or even bother to try and save him."
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"One minute to launch, kids! Remember, it is up to us to prepare everything for our families! Stay focused, stay in your harnesses, and stay calm!" Diane called as the dropship hatch slammed shut behind Bellamy Blake, who hastily strapped in.
"We have no idea what could be down there, so stay close to the landing site until we can get our bearings. Stay smart and you'll be fine!" Shumay added, checking his own harness and strapped-on tools and weapons.
There was a sudden, harsh lurch as the dropship broke free and dropped into Earth's gravity well, its reentry precisely calculated to a painstaking level to ensure that it landed properly. It wouldn't be flawless, of course, that would be impossible. It could, and would, be very, very close to it. Third time is the charm and all that.
The ship shuddered and rocked and jumped as it smashed its way through the atmosphere, temperature rising noticeably, though not nearly as much as on previous landings. The larger craft's far larger and stronger heat shields were more efficient at dispersing the kinetic energy, thus keeping the internal temperature down.
Of course, even if the Ark had totally dropped the ball again, they would have landed where Clarke wanted them to anyway. Side benefit of having several powerful AI and super-powered alien technology at one's fingertips.
The next several minutes were tense, filled with mumbled prayers and harsh breathing, the loud rattling of metal a constant stattaco underneath it all. Diane, for her part, actually found herself second-guessing her brilliant idea of getting on board the dropship herself. It was just the nerves talking, of course, she knew that she was safe and had to be here. Still, plummeting towards the Earth at nearly 18,000 mph was rather unsettling.
"Parachutes deploying in thirty seconds! This is going to have one hell of a kick, kids! Brace yourselves!" she shouted several minutes later, and the drogue chutes billowed free, slowing the dropship to 'just' 130 mph. Thirty seconds after that, the main chutes deployed and they slowed even further to a mere 22 mph. "The hard part is over now, guys! Landfall in five minutes!"
Those five minutes seemed an eternity to the people onboard, and more than a few cried out in shock and fear as they slammed forward in their harnesses when ship met soil at long last. The fastest to recover free themselves and began to assist the more shaken and groggy of their fellows. The adulots made a point of checking on each teen in turn, for all appearances a very concerned pair of adults dedicated to looking after their charges. Finally, the door swung open and they took their first steps on their homeworld, their first breaths of its air.
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"Wanheda, a large object was seen making a landing near TonDC!" a soldier burst into the courtroom four hours into the day's deliberations, causing an immediate clamor, which was silenced by the pounding of the gavel, and Clarke rose.
"It is nothing to be concerned by. A group of 100 teens and two adults have been sent by The Ark to establish rudimentary habitation for when the rest come some 18 months hence." She reassured them all. "As we speak, Centurion Octavia Blake is at the head of two hundred hussars and is heading for the landing site. They will escort these people back to the safety of Avalon. We shall adjourn for the day within the hour so that I can prepare to meet with them."
The people settled, soothed by the knowledge of who these new arrivals were and the fact that action was already being taken to ensure that they were properly handled. The Sky-Princess had this matter well in hand, it seemed. All the more evidence of her wisdom and hour passed quickly before the court dispersed, Clarke's loyal retainers trailing her dutifully. An appropriate display of glory and power needed to be arranged swiftly.
Octavia, meanwhile, was cantering down the road towards TonDC, two companies of hussars following closely behind. Fortunately, they weren't moving fast enough for the large artificial wings on their backs to make their signature rattle-groan. Fantastic, terrifying sound for a full battle-charge, mind-numbingly irritating for casual, long-distance trips.
Two hours later, they had passed through TonDC and were within a few hundred yards of the landing site, where the 100 were milling about and taking in the world around them. Octavia, resplendent in gold-trimmed black armor with the mark of a phoenix rising from the ashes in gold on the chest, rubbed her mount's neck as she thought hard on her next move.
"Alright, you two come with me, the rest of you wait here. If I raise my right hand and clench it into a fist, show yourselves. That should make them fall into line quickly enough. Remember to stay calm, don't attack without orders from me. They're nowhere near capable enough to handle the ground as well as we did, so they might do something stupid like try to pick a fight." She instructed them firmly, pointing to two random soldiers.
"Understood, Centurion. Maker watch over you." One of the unit leaders saluted, a gesture that she returned before squaring her shoulders and leading her chosen pair towards the Arkers.
Bellamy Blake was busy keeping an eye on the treeline for any sign of trouble, or his sister, when a trio of heavily armored horses, and equally armored riders, appeared before him. He raised his gun with surprisingly steady hands and pointed it at the head figure. Its two companions tensed, long lances starting to lower at him, but the leader raised a calming hand and they settled. Behind him, he heard the others take notice and react to the trio's presence. A clamor rose as they brought out swords and spears and, in the two adult's cases, firearms.
"Who the fuck are you?" he bit out, and there was a moment of silence before the leader removed their helm, revealing the face of his younger sister to her brother. He almost dropped his gun in shock, and the crowd behind him gasped and murmured. "O? Is that you?"
"Obviously, Bell, who else would I be?" she quipped with a smirk and damp eyes, before turning to address the rest of the group. "I, as you are no doubt aware, am Octavia Blake. I'm here to escort all of you to safety."
She raised her hand again, this time clenching it into a tight fist, and the trees came to life. Whistles and whinnies echoed as countless more cavalry came into view, forming a rough semi-circle in front of The 100. No threatening moves were made, but then again they didn't really need to make any. Their very existence and presence was more than enough.
"To Mount Weather, then?" Shumay inquired innocently enough, and she snorted before placing her helm back on her head smoothly.
"Hardly. The Mountain's interior is nothing but ashes now, we saw to that some weeks ago. NO, we're going to the village of TonDC first. You lot will be loaded into carts before we escort you the rest of the way to the capital, Avalon." She responded, audibly smirking within her helmet. "Her Imperial Majesty and The Commander are waiting to greet you all."
Her tone made it rather clear that attempts to protest or refuse would be as futile as they were unwise, and Diane Sydney hadn't lasted this long by being stupid and taking foolish risks. Besides, if she could bend the ear of these apparent leaders, it would put her in an even more powerful position from which to being her work. Not as good as Cage's people finding them first would have been, but if the Mountain was destroyed than that was no longer an option. Furthermore, seizing control (overtly or through puppets) of a primitive culture would be much easier than doing the same with a more educated populace.
Octavia, for her part, was trying very hard indeed to resist the urge to impale Sydney where she stood and put her head over Avalon's main gate. The bitch had been in league with Cage for years, and was guaranteed ruin everything that Clarke was building. Well, to give it her best shot, at any rate. She very much doubted that any form of success would be even moderately probable, especially with Clarke being forewarned of Sydney's intentions. The fact that her brother had a gun was, unfortunately, highly concerning. Sydney would never let him have one if she wasn't sure he was on her side. He would have to be watched carefully bother before and after Sydney was dealt with. She wouldn't let him do anything stupid like backing her too much and getting himself killed.
The walk to TonDC was short in distance but long in spirit, not to mention extremely irritating. The 100 (bar a few like Fox and her group) grumbled and complained incessantly, and despite understanding how uncomfortable they had to be emotionally and physically, it grated heavily on her nerves and ears. She could only imagine how the tribespeople felt about the children they were escorting. Only Fox and her group were actually tolerable, walking beside her and keeping up a steady stream of questions as they traveled, only some of which she could (or was willing to) answer.
She refused to give anything vital away, anything that would ruin the surprises waiting for them in Avalon. She restrained herself to basic answers on question about how people had been alive on the ground, whether Raven and Clarke were okay, if they were in Avalon, and how she had learned to ride.
She gave half-truths in response, telling them that those with a unique genetic trait had survived the radiation and congregated in habitable areas, forming the Tribes of the Coalition. That Clarke and Raven were indeed well and happy, waiting for them in Avalon itself at the Imperial Palace. She had learned how to ride the same way Clarke and Raven had, from the locals, and that her mount was a gift from the Empress for services rendered. That, combined with her obviously high-quality, custom made armor and weapons, gave the (admittedly accurate) impression that she was a very valued and influential person. A fact that boded well for their own chances of survival and happiness.
"You look pretty awesome, O. That armor and cloak getup looks really, really good on you." Fox told her cheerfully, hands propped behind her head as she wandered almost casually down the road, looking everywhere at once with a permanent grin plastered on her face from awe and joy at her incredible surroundings. Spotting obviously man-made structures in the distance, she squinted and continued curiously. "Is that the village, TonDC, up ahead? Where the wagons are waiting?"
"Aye. With you lot in wagons rather than on foot, we ought to make Avalon by mid –afternoon. It also makes it easier to protect you if any bandits are stupid enough to not only be this close to TonDC and Avalon, but to attack Arkers. The world knows that Clarke, Raven and I came from the sky, and attacking our fellow Sky People is tantamount to suicide. The Empire would obliterate the culprits without mercy…as it should be. Truth be told, I could have come to get you with a dozen children barely old enough to fuck and we would have been fine." Octavia responded, smirking a little cruelly at no one in particular, and Fox's group exchanged glances with widened eyes as they realized just how different Octavia had become…and how different their new home was from the Ark. "Anyway, it would take us far long, a couple of days at least to get you lot there without them, and if the old highways weren't still more or less usable even wagons wouldn't help all that much."
She paused and raised her fist, the lancers stopping immediately while the Arkers kept moving for several more feet, untrained and undisciplined as they were. Turning her mount to face them, she raised her voice to speak firmly and clearly as she addressed The Arkers in a tone that conveyed the gravity of what she was saying.
"Our brothers and sisters born here on the ground belong to a culture of honor and a society of warriors. Be polite and respectful to everyone that you meet, from the lowliest slave to the Empress herself .If you're not sure whether your words will insult someone, say nothing." She instructed them bluntly. "No matter my influence or that of the others, we'll not save you from yourselves if you insist upon excessive stupidity. This world is theirs, and you must-will- learn to abide by their laws, to assimilate to their ways. Learn their languages."
Her warning imparted (though she could see that it was essentially futile, they were visibly growing arrogant about their perceived superiority over the natives), she gestured for the advance to resume. If nothing else, they would probably think twice about groping some girl or picking fights that they couldn't actually win.
Ah well, they would learn or they would fall. Either way, Clarke's position would grow stronger and stronger still. Those who proved worthy would be elevated, those who did not…well, whatever. She didn't have the time, the energy, or the inclination to worry about them. She had an Empire to help cultivate and birth and protect.
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Finn Collins could barely believe his luck. Sure, he wouldn't be able to deal with Fox and her cronies right away, but from what he had seen in TonDC, there were many times their number of equal or even superior attractiveness amongst these savages. Plus, if he had heard Octavia right, there were slaves! He could hardly wait to take advantage of that particular little detail. He could do whatever he wanted to them, act out whatever fantasies came to mind! Plus, all these Grounder women seemed suitably awed by The 100, and that kind of attitude usually led to easy pussy, right? That's what all the stories about school and fangirls from the old world said, anyway.
The ride to Avalon was long and not terribly comfortable, but it was a damn sight better than walking, that was for sure. When the towering walls of the great city came into view at long last, he (and many others) gasped and murmured at the incredible view. As they passed through its mighty gates, he witnessed soldiers and civilians alike cry out Octavia's name in greeting, praising her with raised voices. Clearly Octavia was popular with the people, though he had no idea of how or why that might have come to pass. The caravan finally came to a halt in a large plaza, the cavalry dispersing as Octavia told the Arkers to disembark from the carts.
"We must walk to the Imperial Palace from here. You all must also relinquish any and all weapons before you will be permitted to enter the complex. Anyone found with one on their person when you meet with Her Majesty risks dying quickly and unpleasantly." She ordered, before smiling reassuringly at them as they shifted nervously and grumbled rebelliously. "Don't worry, you will not come to any harm as long as you obey. Her Majesty has a very simple, overarching rule for visitors to bother her lands and her palace: Enter in peace and depart in peace, or else depart in pieces."
"Catchy." Mel deadpanned, shucking her weapons without protest or hesitation. With Octavia's dire pronouncement ringing in their ears and Mel having broken the proverbial ice, the Arkers made great haste in disarming themselves, eager to avoid appearing like any sort of threat to the rulers whose capital they were now within, whose soldiers and citizens now surrounded them in the tens of thousands. When she was satisfied, Octavia picked up the three handguns and gestured for them to follow her, cloak swirling around her as she turned and set off at a brisk pace.
Nearly half an hour later, they arrived in front of a complex so magnificent it couldn't be anything but the palace, with walls bristling with ramparts, crenellations, guard towers, and God only knew what else. The enormous, unbreakable-looking gates swung open without any visible prompting as they approached, and they exchanged nervous glances as they entered the belly of the beast and the gates boomed shut behind them. None of them took notice of the murals lining the walls as they passed them, the tension and nervousness too powerful to permit anything but putting one foot in front of the other. Unfortunate, for doing so might have provided an early warning of what lay before them had their eyes been discerning enough.
Instead, they received the shocks of their lives when they entered the massive throne room and their eyes took in all the sights that lay before them. Banners proudly displayed a golden gryphon on a red field, the claws of its upraised forelegs clutching an arrow and an olive branch, hung in intervals from the walls, separated by twelve banners (six per side) displaying unique symbols and heraldry. Several large, almost throne-like chairs lined the walls, silver armored women lounging comfortably and watching them while enjoying various platters of snacks and goblets of wine being provided by young women garbed in tantalizingly scant, but high-quality, garments with collars around their necks.
What was truly impactful, however, was what they saw at the far end of the throne room. Atop a small dais, reclining comfortably on a large golden throne and dressed richly in red and gold, was Clarke Griffin. Clustered around the foot of the throne were several other even more scantily clad girls, jewel-encrusted golden collars around their necks and smirks on their lips. One, darkly tanned and particularly young-looking was actually resting her head against Clarke's leg, the former Arker in question languidly stroking her head as if petting a dog. Seated beside Clarke in proper chairs were a heavily pregnant Raven and another, less pregnant brunette that they didn't recognize, though the dangerous air about her and her bearing said she was no mere trophy.
"Majesty, I have brought the Arkers. The 100. They posed no defiance or argument when I informed them of their…mandatory relocation." Octavia knelt and paid homage like a proper courtiet, and Clarke smiled warmly down at her.
"Rise, dear one, and claim your seat. I've no doubt that your journey has left you tired, hungry, and thirsty." She gestured to the side and Octavia did so, sitting in one of the lesser thrones with a happy sigh and quickly taking the offerings of the nearest serving girl. "You had a safe and simple journey, I expect?"
"Naturally. No bandits would be stupid enough to attack them, even less so with two hundred hussars as an escort." The brunette Centurion repeated her earlier sentiments in between bites of fruit bread. "Though Indra's stand-in did mention someone has been raiding some of their fields occasionally. The current theory is Nomad-Outcasts trying to get food and watch the trials without any…unpleasantness. In fact, I can almost guarantee it. There was a young woman there who was hooded and cloaked that was paying a great deal of attention to us, and me in particular. I sensed no ill intent, which is why I did not address her or speak of her to the warriors."
"This could be an opportunity to spread the word that we can cure them and give them citizenship and acceptance into the Empire." Raven mused thoughtfully, glancing at the unknown brunette beside her. "What say you, sister Lexa?"
"The difficulty will be convincing them that this is not a ploy or a false promise." Was the slow reply as she considered it visibly, but she nodded with a small smile all the same. "However, as luck would have it, The Commander has always had ways to get word privately to such individuals for various reasons. It will take a week or two, but the message will be disseminated to their entire population easily."
"Please do so, their suffering can be ended and their afflictions cured. I would rather like to do so as swiftly and easily as possible." Clarke requested, receiving a nod in reply, before she finally deigned to acknowledge the Arkers. "My apologies, matters of state had to be dealt with before matters of pleasure. Welcome to Avalon. Welcome to the homeworld. I am glad to see that you all arrived in fine shape. I admit I was somewhat concerned that the Ark would bungle it to disastrous effect."
"What the Hell is going on, Clarke? Who the hell are all of these people, and how did you of all people end up as their ruler?" Shumay said incredulously, shaking his head in disbelief, and a low growl circled the room at the slight to the enthroned woman, who narrowed her eyes at him coldly. "You should step back and let proper leaders, adults, take charge."
"Please, as if any of you Arkers are worthy of the Golden Throne." Octavia sneered in contempt, not so subtly underlining the fact that the 'first wave' didn't consider themselves Arkers in the least any longer. That they saw themselves as separate, and indeed even superior. "Clarke took warriors with Dark Age technology against twenty first century weapons. Miniguns, assault rifles, explosives, flamethrowers…destroyed by men and women wielding swords, spears, and leather armor. I doubt any of you could muster the courage to even make the attempt, never mind actually succeeding."
"Of course they couldn't, they would either turn traitor or go 'missing' when the time to fight came." An older-looking dirty-blonde scoffed, and there was a chorus of laughter from the Imperials, while the Arkers looked around in embarrassed anger or discomfort. Amusingly, Fox and her group laughed as well, seeing themselves as separate as Clarke, Octavia, and Raven did. Admittedly, with very good reason.
"Come now dear hearts, we shouldn't be too overly harsh on them. They have not faced what we have, thus we cannot expect them to be strong of spirit and possessing the most meager courage or wisdom after spending so many years being ground under the iron boot of The Council." Clarke waved a hand languidly, tone more akin to patronizing than anything supportive. Nodding to Clarke's group with very warm eyes indeed, she added. "A few exceptions exist, of course. Those somewhat more than the average, shall we say? It is very good to see you again, Fox, and your friends. Octavia and Raven have told me much of you. You have done well, and will stay here in the Palace with me."
Looking at The 100 as a whole, she considered and evaluated them silently for several minutes, taking their measure and reading their reactions and emotions. They were weak, malleable, and confused. How they were shaped in the next few weeks would decide much, and she could not have them influenced by the wrong people.
"The rest of you will be staying in barracks here on the grounds. You will find them quite luxurious and well-stocked, certainly more magnificent than anything the Ark ever possessed. Guides will direct you to them immediately. Tommorow we will being to speak of your futures, but for now eat, drink, and enjoy your first night on Earth."
Everyone knew a dismissal when they heard one, and Raven rose and departed to head deeper into the Palace, a stony-faced Octavia following her moments later. The vast majority of Clarke's officers, advisors, and lovers dispersed as well, heading for the Imperial Suite or their personal lodgings as the case may be. Fox's group were directed to rooms near those of the three Maunon, while the rest were escorted to the aforementioned barracks, where a veritable feast awaited them.
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"What's up, O?" Raven asked, noticing that her friend was still following her. "I figured you would want to visit with Bellamy after all these months."
"I can do that tomorrow. Right now I want to ask who you betrayed Clarke for to the point that you're fucking pregnant." Octavia's voice was normal in volume, but it was so cold she was surprised it wasn't visible as mist in the air. Raven jerked around to stare at her in horrified shock and disbelief, and no small amount of pain.
"Do you really think so little of me? That I would sleep around behind Clarke's back, and damn the consequences? That I would willingly cause her pain for my own selfish desires?" she nearly whimpered, unable to believe her ears, and Octavia scoffed bitterly.
"I didn't before, never imagined that I would have a reason too, but I happen to know that the average, everyday woman doesn't get pregnant without a man being involved. Now, my first guess was artificial insemination. The Isu could pull it off for sure, but you would have told me if that was the case. Then I thought someone had raped you, but I didn't notice any horrific executions recently, and we all know how poorly Clarke would take someone doing that to one of us."
"You're damn straight she would, and you're right it wasn't artificial insemination, but that doesn't mean I was sleeping around! The baby is Clarke's, and so is Lexa's!" Raven snarled back, the hurt at the accusation making her angry.
"I doubt that very much! Stop fucking lying to me! You just admitted it wasn't artificial insemination, and I sure as shit doubt it was immaculate conception! That means a cock was involved, Rae!: Octavia seemed to be growing angrier at what she perceived as Raven sticking to her cruel lies despite having been caught.
"Look, its not my fault that you were so fucking oblivious that you never noticed, despite bathing with her totally nude dozens of times, that Clarke is perfectly equipped for impregnating women!"
'What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!"
"It means that she has a giant fucking cock, you oblivious moron!"
"SHE FUCKING WHAT?!"
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It occurred to me that Octavia, not knowing Clarke has a cock, would be utterly furious that Raven was pregnant. Don't be too angry at her, with her being kept out of the loop and working through the train of thought provided here, she came to one erroneous conclusion, one that was supported by all the evidence she possessed at the time. Anyway, them making up and Octavia announcing her intention to join the Harem when she 'earns it' will be next chapter, and possibly Ontari getting broken in. And more trial stuff, of course.
Review, as always! It's what keeps me doing this when I could be blowing shit up in video games hahaha.