Chapter 7
Cooper, Bellamy, Clarke, Murphy, Miller, Raven, Monty and Jasper all gathered in the conference room. The two boys who were there, had been moved into one of the other rooms and Monty moved into Sterling's room until they were back on their feet and could move into the dorms.
"Okay, what happened with Camp Jaha?" Clarke asked.
"Well for one, it's changed its name to Arkadia," Cooper started. "And for another, some people from Granary station made their way there and there was an election and they won. The guy - Griggs - was a nasty piece of work and had everyone locked up in one form or another. He put his own people in as guards. We had to overthrow them before we could do anything else. Octavia, Bellamy and I went in and Indra stayed with the wagon. We freed everyone and then acted and took the place back. Griggs didn't survive but the others are locked up. We traded the wagon of goods for our people."
"That's not strictly true," Jasper said. "You gave us the option and we all decided to come with you. You then gave them the goods and we came back in the wagon. Where did you get that, anyway?"
"We traded for it," Cooper said.
"Okay so they were overthrown and mom or Kane's back in charge?"
"For now, but I think there will be another election and I think Kane will win it. Sorry, Clarke but your mom's still acting like she knows better and that only she can lead them," Bellamy said, contritely. Clarke nodded somberly.
"I know my mom and as much as I wish she wasn't like that, she won't change, she's too convinced she's right." Clarke sighed. There was nothing she could do right now, she was no longer part of Arkadia.
"What are we gonna do about Granary station?" Monty said. Cooper sighed.
"We need to go check it out. We need to know if the rest of them are like that. Maybe they kicked them out for bad behaviour, or maybe they just left to find an easier target," Cooper said.
"We need to go there with more than a couple of people and some backup," Bellamy said.
"Well, we have 44 more people," Cooper said. "Which ones of them could we use?"
"I'll check them out," Bellamy said. "They may not want to be warriors now." Cooper nodded. She didn't particularly want that either, but she knew she had to do some things she didn't like to stay alive and protect those she considered her family.
"What did Harper and Monroe find at Flint?"
"Just more of the same. They're still willing to stay there and with the warm clothing and new hunting techniques, they are doing better."
"Good, that's one less station to worry about."
"Maybe we can use the skybox," Bellamy mused. "We could use it as a prison for those who won't play nice with the clans." He looked up to see surprise on their faces and he held up his hands. "I know I was one of the worst proponents of war with them, but since we worked together at the mountain, I've seen that they aren't all bloodthirsty warriors, hell bent on killing us. I never looked past the warrior facade to see the people. Seeing those ones in the cages in the mountain, I saw people for the first time. They just wanted to live and protect their lands. I get it now."
"Well, better late than never, Bellamy," Cooper said, grinning at him. He grinned back.
"Okay, anything else?" Clarke asked. Cooper spoke up.
"When we were bringing the others here, I detoured to that army/navy place and found more goods as well as a box of those desalination units."
"You did? Outstanding! Do they work?"
"Don't know, but they'd never been opened so they may. I want Raven to check one out and we can test it."
"That's one of those machines that turn saltwater into freshwater?" asked Raven.
"Yeah, we're doing a deal with the Floukru Ambassador."
"Good. I'll do the deal with Sterling as you're needed elsewhere soon," Clarke said. Cooper nodded.
"I think I'll go back to Carlisle for more goods. With 44 more people here, we need more stock and supplies," Cooper said. Clarke nodded.
"I agree, wait a few days and then go get what you need. Who are you taking with you?"
"I was thinking about Jasper, Rose and Sterling," she replied. "I can give them lessons in driving the wagon. Hopefully with Rose learning about horses, she can deal with the ones we use for the wagon or wagons when we get more established." Clarke nodded.
"I wonder if this place has a Veterinarian?" Cooper mused.
"A what?"
"An animal doctor for when they are injured or ill," Cooper said. "We may need to learn first aid for the horses."
"Never thought of that," Clarke said.
"I didn't until right now," Cooper admitted.
"Well, we can figure that out later, maybe Monroe can ask on their next lesson."
"Anything else?"
"Monty and I have plotted those stations and where they SHOULD be. With the refined data, we think we'll find them there. I've marked them on the maps of the old world. I just need one of the clan maps to plot them out," Raven said
"I'll go ask the Commander tomorrow," Clarke said. "Cooper, you'll play guard for me. Miller needs a day off." Cooper nodded.
"Alright, meeting over. We'll meet again once we get those maps updated to clan maps though that could take a few days. If they are not done in three days, go get those supplies," Clarke said to Cooper. Cooper nodded and headed off for her bed. The fight had taken a lot out of her and even though it was a few days ago, she knew she needed time to get her head around it.
xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx
The next day Clarke and Cooper went to meet the Commander and showed her the updated maps. She called in the Podakru ambassador, a man who was once a young second assigned to Polis in his youth. He knew Lexa when she was a young second herself and they became good friends even though they were from different clans.
"Migan, welcome," Lexa said with a smile.
"Commander," he said, bowing.
"These are Clarke kom Skaikru and Cooper kom Skaikru. Clarke will become their ambassador once they become the thirteenth clan," Clarke's eyes widened slightly. They had not discussed them becoming another clan under the Commander, but thinking about it, it made sense.
"Ambassador," Migan said, bowing to her. Clarke replied by bowing her head.
"What can I do for you, Commander?" he asked politely.
"We have a delicate situation, Migan. Clarke and her people here in Polis have been trying to find their lost people. More came down than those in Arkadia - the new name for Camp Jaha - and they now think they know where they may have landed. One of them seems to have landed in your territory." Cooper had the map and unfurled it to show the Podakru ambassador.
"This is where we think they came down. We are hoping they landed on an island and not in the lakes, Ambassador," she said. Migan bent over the map and looked at it closely, marking the area.
"That is near Azgeda lands, Commander. We don't have many places near there because of the cross-border raids they keep doing. If they landed on an island, that would afford them some protection, but if they came down on the north shore, I'm afraid Azgeda may have attacked them."
"Could you send some people to look for them, Migan?"
"Yes, Heda, I can."
"My people may not know the difference between the clans, Commander. I'd feel better if they only look and do not approach. Once we know where they are, with permission from the Podakru leader, I can send Cooper and Bellamy and a small contingent of our people to go get them," Clarke said.
"I agree, Commander," Migan said.
"We do not need an incident caused by people who do not know friend from foe." Commander Lexa nodded reluctantly.
"Send scouts out immediately. If they do make contact and they are friendly, warn them of the Azgeda and tell them how to tell the difference. Skaikru when they first came down shot at anything that moved. I would prefer no contact was made, though."
"Understood, Commander," Migan said. "With your permission, I'll send a messenger to the nearest large village to them." Lexa nodded and Migan bowed again and left. Lexa turned to Clarke.
"What will you do now?"
"Cooper and a few others are going on another supply run up past Harrisburg - sorry, up past Harribur." Clarke castigated herself for not remembering what it was called now.
"Very well, and after that?"
"We still have several to find. With one in Podakru, one in or on the Azgeda border, another who may have landed somewhere in the Plains Rider clans territory and a fourth that may be in a territory past Triku lands but north of Yujleda lands, we need help in getting to them."
"Are there any more in Trikru lands?"
"Yes, we think Orchid Station is in Trikru lands, but only just. We think it's somewhere near the Yujleda border, Commander," Cooper said.
"When are you going to that one?"
"Probably in around a week. We know it's a long way, but we found most of the stations near us. We still have to find Granary station. That one's somewhere in western Kentucky, according to Raven's maps, Commander. That's one station we need to be cautious about. Those usurpers came from there and we know some of their people are still there. We do not know about the ones who disagreed with their plans."
"You are using our horses a lot and the horse traders are thrilled with all the extra revenue they are getting, but with you going off every few days, it would be better to have your own horses. Now, I know your stable block is not yet repaired, nor the building torn down to access it, but I will give you two horses to pull wagons and they will stay in my stables for now. With two of your people learning about caring for horses, they can do that with your horses as they learn. My stablemaster will keep an eye on them until you are ready to take them to your own place," the Commander said.
"Mochof, Heda," Clarke said, grinning with enthusiasm.
"You will still need to trade to use riding horses, but again, once you have your own stables up and running, you can buy some of those as well." Clarke nodded, still grinning.
"Cooper, you take those people and go on another supply run. With 44 more people to clothe, we definately need more stock." Cooper nodded.
"I think I'll trade for the use of another horse to go there. Tomorrow?" Cooper said, looking at Clarke.
"Yes, then when you come back, you need to organise for the trip to Orchid Station. I want you and Bellamy to lead a group of maybe four others, and go see if you can find Orchid." Clarke turned to the Commander.
"What happens if we find it is actually on Broadleaf lands?"
"If anyone has found them, then negotiate with them for their return. I will write a letter for anyone in Yujleda to co-operate with you. They may want you off their land. If so, lead them somewhere that is in our lands and does not encroach on their hunting grounds. I will send a couple of warriors with you. They know where the border is and will be able to guide you through some of the negotiations if Yujleda try to claim they are in their lands when they are not. Yujleda for the most part are fair, but they are not above trying our patience in winter when hunting. Sometimes they cross our border and claim they 'got lost'. Cooper nodded.
"It will take at least five days for the supply run. I'll factor in six, just in case. Then I'd like a little rest before going off again."
"That's fine, Cooper. Maybe aim for ten days from tomorrow? That should give you a little rest and get things organised for the trip down south." Cooper nodded.
"Sha, Heda," she said, grinning.
"Smart ass!" Clarke said back but grinned as she did. Lexa liked the attitude between the two women. Clarke had a solid group around her to start with and now that some more of her people had arrived, she was eager to see what they could accomplish.
xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx
The next day, Cooper, Sterling, Jasper and Rose set off for the base at Carlisle. One of the healers had asked them to take some medicines to Harribur for him. They knew they needed to trade to do it, so they settled on having someone learn basic first aid other than Clarke. The healer agreed and soon a box of medicines was on its way with them.
Once outside the city limits, Cooper pulled up.
"Does anyone want to learn how to drive?" she asked.
"I do," Jasper spoke up.
"Me too," Sterling said.
"Alright. Rose?"
"No thanks, I'll have my hands full learning about the horses," she replied. Cooper nodded.
"Jasper, you're up! Come up here," she said, patting the seat beside her. Jasper moved onto the seat while Rose moved into the back with Sterling.
"Alright, Jasper, first I just want you to watch what I do. We'll set off again and I'll explain everything I'm doing and why, okay?" Jasper nodded enthusiastically.
Over the next twenty miles, Jasper and Cooper talked about everything to do with driving a wagon. Jasper watched what she did, listened to why they did it that way with Rose chiming in every now and again with things she'd learned so far about the horses. It wasn't just sitting and driving because horses often had a mind of their own and wanted to go off in another direction or stop to feed. It was up to the wagon driver to keep them on their course.
At the twenty mile point, they had a small meal and then Cooper had Jasper drive the last ten miles to where they would make camp for the night.
When Cooper had checked over the wagon, she had an idea to enclose the space under the driver's seat to make that into storage for their own things instead of taking up room in the wagon bed. She hadn't gotten anyone to do that yet, but she had rigged up some cloth she'd bartered for with a local clothmaker and made a sort of hammock in which things could be stored. She'd placed two tents and four sleeping bags in there as well as some food. They'd have to hunt on the way, but it was a small storage area they could use for themselves.
Jasper was concentrating hard on his new task and he had been quite nervous at first, but after a mile or so, he was more relaxed but no less alert. Every now and then, Cooper reminded him of what he should be doing, of the length of the reins and not to pull too much on one side if going in a straight line. He soon got the hang of it and by the time they'd reached their intended campsite, he was enjoying himself. Cooper was pleased, she'd have at least one person who could spell her on the trips.
They set up camp in the same grove of trees as on other trips north. Rose would care for the horse and Cooper would watch her. Cooper had been told how to care for the horses on their trips and she watched to see if Rose did anything differently. So far, it was the same. Cooper watched as Rose checked over the animal starting at the head. She checked for rubbing from the bridle or harnesses, hair and skin condition, how hot and sweaty the horse was, if they seemed to be breathing okay, she checked for lameness and eventually she checked their hooves. Rose pulled out a hoof pick and a brush from her pockets and set to work checking each hoof carefully. Cooper was pleased that Rose was taking her job seriously.
It took another day to reach Harribur. When they neared the village, Cooper called out to them.
"Hei, Harribur!" she said, waving at the guards on the walls. They recognised her and one of them went to meet her.
"Welcome back!" he said, smiling.
"Mochof," she replied. "It's good to see you again."
"What are you here for?" he asked.
"We are on another run and when one of the healers in Polis heard we were heading this way, he asked us to bring some medicines to you." The guard grinned, they'd been waiting on the medicines for ten days.
"Come on in, it is getting dark. You can stay inside for the night."
"Mochof," Cooper said, bowing. She motioned for Jasper to drive the wagon into the village. Once there, they stopped where the guard said they could park for the night. Cooper took their medicines out of the wagon and left Sterling in charge and on guard until she came back.
She followed the guard to the healer's hut and was led inside. There she handed over the package before she noticed the Chief of the village lying on one of the beds.
"Hei, Chief, are you okay?" she asked him.
"It's good to see you again, child. Those items have warmed me up, but it seems that nothing we do can keep me warm when I leave my house. I fear I may not live through this coming winter." Cooper thought it through.
"Okay, how about this, for payment for letting us sleep inside for the night, we bring you back some winter clothing. It will keep you warmer than the clothing you have on right now, but I don't know if it will keep you warmer than a thick fur coat."
"We can try, child. I've been on the ground more than 60 summers and I know my time is short."
"Well then, if you can hang on for another few days, I'll be back with the clothing and then we can see if it's good enough to keep you warm."
"I'd like that." Cooper smiled. She didn't know him very well, but he'd treated her and Clarke fairly when they met last time.
Cooper went back to the wagon, ate the food Jasper had prepared and went to sleep, only waking for her guard duty.
xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx-xxx
They got to Carlisle barracks at mid morning and Cooper showed them where to hitch the wagon and unhitch the horse. She planned on tying the horse to a tree and letting it enjoy a little time off. She pulled out the water container she and Murphy had set up last time and placed it for the horse to use. There was a river not far away and she went to fill up one of the water containers and brought it back for the horse. What she didn't put in the drinking vessel, she kept for themselves.
With that done, she showed them where the goods were and had Sterling and Rose go find winter and wet weather gear for the 44. They set off and Cooper took Jasper to the other end and started on the items there. They picked up cups, plates, cutlery, bowls, pots and pans and anything they could use or trade with. Once they had several boxes of the items they wanted, Cooper and Jasper took a break.
"So, Jasper, after the mountain, you took off. Why?" Jasper stiffened but he needed to talk to someone about it. He couldn't talk to Monty about it yet, he was too close to it all, but Cooper had been in the mountain with them, so she knew what was happening between him and Maya.
"When Clarke pulled that lever and they all started dying, I was cradling Maya in my arms. She looked at me and told me that it was just a bit of fun, that she knew that I'd be drained of my bone marrow just like the others and that I'd die. She said that it was fun for a bit, but she was starting to get bored of me!" Jasper started crying and Cooper pulled him to her and let him cry on her shoulder.
"Maybe she just wanted you to live your life and not mourn her," Cooper said. She felt Jasper shake his head.
"No, the one thing I admired above all else was her honesty. She never once lied to me except at the end."
"Well, maybe she did lie to you and you were just a distraction for her. She was stuck in the mountain and she knew every person in it. There was no-one new to meet. When we went there, there were almost fifty new people to meet."
"So she didn't choose me for me?" he asked, frowning.
"No, Jasper, she did. Out of all the guys there, she chose you."
"Why me?"
"It could have been for any reason, Jasper. Maybe she thought you were the kindest, or the one she could manipulate the best, we just don't know. We do know that she did like you. She never became as close with anyone else, did she?"
"No," Jasper said, still frowning as he tried to figure things out.
"Even your best friend was pushed aside for her. That one's on you, but I get it, a pretty young thing pays you attention and your hormones go wild. Maybe she picked you because she liked you." Another thought crossed her mind.
"While we were in there, did you two…"
"No, we didn't. They have - had - strict rules about sex because they don't have birth control implants or anything like that and they didn't want too many babies."
"Jasper, Abby found a load of birth-control stuff in their medbay when they cleared out the mountain." Jasper pulled back quickly.
"She lied?" he asked, suddenly feeling outrage for the one person he thought didn't lie to him.
"I'm sorry, Jasper, but I thought you should know. I don't think she meant to be malicious, but she knew you'd end up dead and she probably didn't want to give herself to someone she knew wouldn't live.
"Well that's just stupid! You can't help who you fall in love with, can you?" he said with asperity.
"Nope, but we all have to navigate this idiotic thing called love. It hurts us, it makes us feel things we know are dangerous, it makes us push our friends away because we want to spend all our time with the love of our lives, not realising that they may not feel the same. Humans have this great capacity for ignoring our instincts because our sex organs are too busy thinking about the next time. Sometimes we know a person is wrong for us but we get with them anyway. Love is blind, Jasper and we get burned because of it, but for some stupid reason, we keep going back for more." Jasper looked at Cooper to see she wasn't looking at him, but off to the other side of the room. He guessed she was actually replaying something from her own life, something that hurt her.
"You've been burned," he said, more a statement than a question.
"Yeah," Cooper drawled with a sigh.
"Where is he now?"
"She and she died coming down. She was in factory station."
"Sorry," he said.
"Don't be, it's how we learn. It's also how we learn to be more guarded with our hearts, Jasper. I became embittered with the whole thing and I never got with anyone else. I know I'm young, but it happened when I was sixteen, I'm now eighteen and in those two years, I never once looked at anyone else in a romantic way."
"Do you think you will?"
"Probably, and I'm sure I'll act like an idiot when I do. I'm just not ready yet for that though so I'm not looking for it right now. I still have a lot of healing to do before then."
"Mind if I join you for that healing stuff? I think I could use a whole load of it right now." Cooper laughed.
"Jasper, we have the potential to be the most platonic couple in history!" Jasper laughed.
"Right now, I'll settle for figuring out my feelings for Maya. I did love her, but we've only been out of the mountain for two months and already she's starting to fade from my heart. I don't know if that's a good thing or not."
"Right now, it's a good thing to start healing, in the future, you may regret some things and forget others about her. The Jasper you become is up to you. You can become bitter and twisted like I was or you can start to heal by letting us in. Your friends will stick by you, but only if you let them." Jasper sighed as he thought about it.
"Thanks, Cooper. Can we keep this between ourselves for now?"
"As long as you don't spill my secret too," she replied, smiling at him.
"Deal,'' he said, holding out his hand. Cooper smirked as she took his arm instead and shook, Trikru style.
"Deal. Now, let's get back to work. If we can fill up the wagon today, we can set off first thing in the morning and get to Harribur and give the Chief his new clothes." Jasper grinned as they got back to work sorting out items they could take back.
They got back to work and soon Sterling called out to them.
"HEY, WE FOUND ANOTHER ROOM!" Cooper and Jasper looked at each other and ran towards them. They looked around the room and saw it was huge, with lots of things they could use including solar panels, tools, wheelbarrows and ladders.
"We are so coming back for some of these!" Sterling said. Cooper was looking at something in one corner of the room. It was an old-fashioned wood burning stove. There was a place for the fire and two ovens, one either side of it. With a flat metal top, it would be ideal for them over winter and to cook their food indoors. The problem was that it was very heavy and the horse couldn't carry it, the wagon may hold it but it would take a team of horses to pull it.
"We're definitely coming back! This is a cooking stove. We can use this at the warehouse. It'll cook our food and give out heat."
"Are we taking it?"
"No, it's too big. We need more horses and probably a better trailer to get it back."
"So what do we do?"
"We'll load up some of these supplies, but we'll have to wait on the rest. I'm slated to take the wagon down to Orchid next week," Cooper said.
"Can we hire another wagon and horse?"
"You can if Clarke approves it. Jasper and you can share the driving and if you bring Rose along with you, she can look after the horse." All three nodded in agreement.
"If you do come back, see if Raven will come with you. She needs to see some of this stuff so we can plan the other buildings. If we can use some of this stuff, it'll save on trade items. If you can get a deal to move the stove, then get Raven to look at it. She'll need to figure out how to make a chimney for it." Again they nodded.
They loaded up with the things they'd already packed up. Cooper pulled out some clothing for the Chief. She kept to plain or camouflage patterns for him. She put them on the seat and then they looked to see how much more they could add without stressing the horse too much. They eventually put one extendable ladder on and several solar panels. Those would be the best things for now. Raven could check on them and see where they could use them.
They spent the night there and then came back through Harribur.
"Hei, Harribur!" Cooper called out again. Once more she was ushered into the village. She grabbed the clothing and was led to the healer hut again. The Chief looked a little better and Cooper was glad.
"Hei, Chief, I've brought you some warm clothing." The Chief's eyes widened as did his smile. She put them on the table and then went through each one, showing him how to fasten them if they were unfamiliar such as zips and velcro. Soon, the Chief put on his underwear, then the thermal long johns and long sleeved thermal top. He put on the thick trousers and fumbled with the zipper and button, but he got it done. Next, he put on a t-shirt and then a thick woolly jumper. On top of that, Cooper had given him a type of coat called a 'parker'. With the gloves, hat and scarf from last time, all Cooper could see of him was his eyes.
"Comfortable, Chief?" she asked, barely able to hide her smile at the barrel figure before her. He was a thin man, but in those clothes he looked like a barrel!
"These are very warm," he said.
"That's because you are inside, Chief. Once out in the snow and wind, you'll be very glad of it." He nodded and shook her arm. Cooper and the others headed back out and left for Polis.
They reached it two days later. They pulled up and the first thing Cooper did was yell for Raven. Raven came hurrying into the room.
"You bellowed?" she said, grinning.
"Yeah, we got some solar panels for you to play with." Raven's eyes widened in surprise and then she was eager to get her hands on them.
"Show me!" she said, rooting through the things in the wagon. Bellamy shook his head, some things never changed, but he went over and picked up the ladders. He took them outside and around the back - the building had finally been pulled down and now they were just clearing up the debris. He took them out and got several others to help him and between them, they figured out how to extend them. Bellamy smiled at the reach they had and that it would be safer than trying to climb up the walls of some of the buildings.
