"The youth have inherited the Earth."

— Marcus Kane, "Echoes"

The doors to Medical burst open just after 5 o'clock on the morning the death wave was supposed to hit Arkadia. Abby and Murphy looked toward the commotion and found Thomas Nelson and Jack Scanlan supporting a panting Eleanor Nelson between them. They managed to get her onto the nearest exam table and Murphy rushed to grab the kit they had prepared for this very situation.

"When did the contractions start?" Abby asked, hurrying over to the enormously pregnant Eleanor.

"Four hours ago. They are every two minutes now." Nelson said, holding Eleanor's hand as another contraction hit, wincing. Scanlan excused himself and Abby couldn't blame him; his son had died three months ago in the Pike Rebellion.

Abby turned to the patient, "Eleanor, would you like medication?"

"Yes," she answered quickly. Abby nodded to Murphy who got the pain medication out. He hooked the bag onto the IV pole. He waited until the next contraction had passed before inserting the needle and connecting the IV.

"Okay, Eleanor, I need you to relax and breathe. Always remember to breathe," Abby said softly, placing Eleanor's legs into the stirrups. She examined the opening and found that she was rather far along. She checked the baby's heart beat with a stethoscope and heard that it was strong. "We're nearly there."

When Eleanor was at 10 centimeters in diameter a few hours later, it was time to push. Abby instructed her when to do it and Murphy reminded her to breathe deeply. Nelson whispered encouragement and didn't complain when she squeezed his hand tight enough to break his fingers.

It wasn't long before Abby saw the head. Eleanor screamed as she pushed again and Nelson said, "Almost there, El."

Abby said, "One more!"

The baby slid out into her waiting arms. Murphy handed her a towel. He looked to the clock and said, "Date of birth: May 19, 2150. Time of birth: 9:37am,"

Abby cleaned the boy up and handed him to his parents. Murphy asked, "Does he have a name?"

"Orion David Nelson," Nelson said, running his hand through his son's sparse, blond hair. Murphy looked at him, a question on his face. Nelson said, "Orion for the stars and David for Chief Miller."

Lincoln lugged the sapling toward the center of the square. He set it down and watched as Kane finished digging the hole. Kane stepped back and, together, they deposited the tree into its new home. Octavia covered the roots with the freshly dug earth, packing it in and smoothing it. Sinclair stepped out of the small crowd that had formed, holding a metal plaque. It read "Mebi oso na hit choda op nodotaim." May we meet again. He secured it to the post that had been erected next to the Eden Tree.

The crowd grew quite still as they embarked on a full minute of silence for all of those they had lost. After the minute was up, the crowd began to disperse, heading back to their assigned tasks. There were few left when Kane turned from the tree. Raven and Sinclair stood side-by-side, hand in hand; Lincoln and Octavia were discussing something quietly; and Benja stood squeezing his hands together, staring at the tree. Kane walked toward him and wrapped his arm around his small, shaking shoulders.

Lincoln patted Benja's shoulder and said, "Yu seingeda en Wik na gaf yu in ste shanen | Your family and Wick would want you to be happy."

Benja nodded and muttered, "Ai get daun-de in. | I know that."

"Tsa gon ai gapa op | Let's go see the horses," Octavia suggested, holding out her hand to Benja. Kane gave him a small nod and Benja grasped it. He followed Octavia toward the stables where Octavia's horse, Helios, was galloping about with four other horses Octavia and Lincoln had managed to tame since moving to Traver.

"She's good with him," Kane commented.

Lincoln replied, "He's a good kid."

They lapsed into silence, watching as Octavia led Benja through the gate into the field. He pet Helios and a red foal wandered over to him, looking for his attention.

"I should be getting back," Lincoln said, nodding toward the short southeast tower in the distance where he was stationed.

"I'll walk with you," Kane said.

They wove their way through the houses and buildings to the tower a kilometer away. They had begun construction on the towers, but they weren't finished. This one stood only fifteen feet high. Still, they climbed it and stared out at the trees. The forest was still.

"Did Clarke and the others find anything out in Gray?" Lincoln asked, eyes on the trees.

"Ice Nation left this part of the forest alone," Kane said with a frown. "They had made a pact with the people living here shortly after the bombs dropped a hundred years ago."

"Ice Nation territory had to end somewhere."

Kane nodded. "I suppose so. I just wish I knew who these people were if they weren't Ice Nation."

Lincoln said, "They must have shared a culture similar to that of the Grounders. They survived the same event and would likely have followed a similar path…"

A rustling in the trees caused Lincoln to stop talking. Kane stared hard at the tree line, hand slowly moving to the revolver at his side. It was a few seconds before a man Kane knew to be called Jaime Jordan burst through the trees, panting. He collapsed before they could get to him.

Jaime Jordan lay on the table in Medical. His skin was bright red and covered in boils, burns, and lesions from the radiated air. Abby, Jackson, and Murphy were working on him, applying creams and taking biopsies to determine the severity to formulate their treatment plan. Kane stood next to Monty, who had come as soon as he heard the news, watching the doctors work. He asked, "When will they be back?"

"Any minute now," Kane said, glancing toward the door.

"I'm worried about Jasper," Monty muttered as Jaime groaned in pain. "He has been getting so much better. This may ruin him."

"Why do you say that?" Kane asked. "His dad is here, he's alive."

"Yes, but for how long?" Monty asked, staring at Jaime's burns. "Those are nasty radiation burns, Kane."

He knew that Monty was right. Jaime's burns were horrendous. Even if he did survive, he would never be the same. Kane was just starting to think that it may be better to put Jaime out of his misery when the doors to Medical burst open.

Jasper ran into the room, followed closely by Harper. He breathed, "Dad."

Jaime's ragged breaths were the only sound in the room before Jasper's feet were clattering on the floor as he ran toward him. He was about to wrap his father into a hug when he thought better of it upon closer look. His face went pale and Harper took his hand.

Jasper looked at Abby and asked, "Will he live?"

Her face was grim. "It's too early to tell, Jasper."

He nodded and took his father's hand gingerly in his own. Jaime stirred, his head rolling toward his son. Jasper whispered, "Dad?"

Jaime took a few seconds to respond, gathering his strength. When he spoke, it was a whisper. "Jasper?"

"Dad, where's Mom?" Jasper asked, fighting tears.

"She was…right…behind me."

Jasper looked at Kane, silently asking for clarification. Kane said, "He's the only one we found."

He nodded and turned back to his father. "Where have you been?"

Jaime murmured, "Tesla."

"But where?" Jasper pressed, squeezing his hand.

"Jasper," Abby whispered. "Your dad needs to save his strength. He has a long road to recovery. I think it's best that you allow us to get back to work."

Jasper nodded. He sat down on the bed next to his father's and patted the spot next to him for Harper to join him. "But that doesn't mean that I'm leaving him."

"Of course not," she said kindly before turning back to his father.

Monty whispered, "You'd better go find the others that he was with."

"Let Abby know," Kane said as he turned to leave.

Monty nodded and headed over to Jasper and Monty.