Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Twilight, The 100, or Vampire Diaries. Those rights are reserved for Stephanie Myer, L.J. Smith and Jason Rothenberg. I do own the original characters made up for this storyline. Thank you.
Writer's Notes: Thank you Roxhall, and delia for your reviews! I hope everyone enjoys the next few chapters. I'm having a ton of fun writing this story! It's certainly different, and there are so many characters! As always I appreciate all of you! Don't forget to follow, favorite, and review! Cheers!
Bella looked down at the plans that they had scribbled out by the console in the drop ship. The plan was insane, one that she was sure some people were going to die. She felt uneasy about it.
"We don't know what's all inside." Bella said. "We don't know how many people there are, and we don't know what sort of weapons they may have."
Jazz had his arms crossed, thinking about it all. "Okay, what if we infiltrate quietly?"
"They have a sophisticated system." Bella said. "From what we can gather with the satellites, we can see they have security cameras in place, and card readers on the door. We don't have enough intel to just do a covert mission. Unless we can get on the inside to weigh our options in how we can take it, we'll lose people. I know we'll be met with resistance. And if these Mountain Men can steal grounders with little issue, then that means they are prepared for onslaught. Not to mention they release a poisonous fog that will kill you."
Bellamy shook his head. "What about the tech we brought back from the bunker?"
"Jasper J and I are looking over it. We could use it to help disrupt their security system, but we must work on that, and that takes time. Time we may not necessarily have." Bella said.
"My village will attack." Lincoln said. "The longest point from there to here, takes six days to hike around because of a deep canyon that also separates from the East. There is another bridge they can cross on that side, but like I said, six days, maybe seven if they're moving in a large group." Lincoln said.
Raven nodded. "We have the defense in place in the event they come to our camp. It's a one-time deal, but it will destroy everything outside this dropship up to the wall. It's important to not be caught outside the dropship when it happens."
"What is the defense?" Lincoln asked.
"Refiring the retrorockets." Bella said. "There's enough rocket fuel to refire the rockets one time. I'll decimate everything it touches."
Lincoln nodded. "Knowing Ana, she's probably drawing in a large force. That will take out most of our warriors." He felt a bit saddened by it, but Ana wanted to continue fighting a thoughtless war against the sky people.
"What about the survivors of the Ark?" Clarke asked.
Bella looked at Clarke. "I'm not worried about them. Marcus Kane and Abbigail Griffin survived the crash. I know Marcus Kane, he's not a bad guy, but there are still a handful of Guard left. I have no way of knowing who all on the council survived, since I only see Abby and Kane for now. I have not checked in on their wellbeing today, but if it satisfies you Clarke, and keeps you quiet, I'll look at it later. For now, the Ark members will have to wing it like we have. I don't have the time to send scouts. I know Monty, your mother was amongst the crash. I haven't seen her on the satellites, but I'll let you know if I do see her."
Monty nodded, knowing that it was a small chance his mom was alive.
"Let's back up. Kane isn't a good guy." Bellamy said.
Bella looked at Bellamy. "Kane is one of the only ones that tried to get me released from the skybox for the crimes of my father. He's had to be diplomatic, yes, but I think that now that he's on the ground, he'll try to change things. Whether or not he succeeds, well, that just depends on if Abby gets in his way or not." She said and then Clarke frowned.
"My mother wants what's best." Clarke defended.
Bella looked at Clarke. "Is that why your mother is the one who ratted out your dad and he was floated for it, and you ended up in the skybox?"
"She didn't do that."
"She did. I know she did."
"She wouldn't do that to me or to my dad."
Bella sighed. "I'm not going to even entertain you. Believe what you want. I know the facts, and those are the facts, take it or leave it."
Clarke glared at Bella and then hobbled off, off the drop ship to get some air.
Bella pinched the bridge of her nose to stave off a headache and then sighed. "Now, with that aside. Whatever the Ark does is on them. I know that many have voiced wanting to be reunited with their parents if they survived. I have always put what's best for the group first. I have no qualms with getting you to them, only after we're secure and safe from both the grounders and mountain men."
Monty understood that very well. "Thank you, Bella."
Bella smiled at him and then looked back at the blueprints that they drafted from the monitor, studying it.
"How big is the bunker?" Monty asked.
"It wouldn't fit everyone there." Bellamy said. "At most like 20 people, but not everyone that we have." Bellamy said. "I thought about that."
"Why can't we build a wall securing it like we have with the drop ship?" Jazz asked.
Bella looked at Bellamy. "It's not a bad suggestion."
"They have showers there." Raven chimed in. "The bunker survived a nuclear fallout and it looked like there were some generators of some sort and solar batteries, but they were too heavy to move."
Bella leaned back, crossing her arms in thought. "Mount Weather still poses a danger."
"If we use the bunker, we can defend better." Bellamy said. "We have the drop ship, but the sophistication of the Mountain Men, I don't doubt they have the equipment to bust open the drop door."
"True." Bella said, and then looked back at the screen. "There are more military installations, yes?"
Damon nodded. "Yes. There are several underground bunkers according to our data. We just don't know if any of them are occupied. We chose Mount Weather as the initial drop because of the position of the Ark at the time, as you know the Earth rotates, as did the Ark." He explained.
"So, the other bunkers could just be out farther." Bellamy said.
"Correct." Damon said then paused. "The grounders establishment, as I understand from Lincoln explaining, sits on top of the other installation."
Bella nodded. "There's also the ruins of the city."
Lincoln shook his head. "Other tribes occupy that area. It's possible to try and request sanctuary within, but it's up to the commander overall, and she's not an easy person to talk to."
Bella blew out a breath. "Okay, so the bunker, that's our other option."
"I think it's worth a shot. We'll be moving 76 people across terrain." Bellamy said.
"What if they don't all want to move?"
"Then we give them that option. If they think they can do better here, then let them. This is about survival, if survival means changing locations to put distance not only from the Mountain Men, but the other grounders, then it's what is necessary to be done." Monty spoke up. Everyone looked at him. "What?"
Bella shook her head. "I've never heard you speak out so vocal about things like this before."
Monty shrugged. "But it's the truth. We've survived this far because of Bella and Bellamy taking control of things, and ensuring that this camp stays safe. It's being threatened. When the grounders attack, we have one time to take them all out, but we also take everything we have built with it, including the wall. We'll be left defenseless for the Mountain Men. If we relocate now, given we have the six-day window before Ana's forces attack, we have better chances hiking the 30 miles and setting up a better camp, and a permanent one. We're going to be here until we die. Hopefully of old age." He said. "Most of us are eighteen now, if not already nineteen. Our youngest person is fourteen. We need stability, and if the bunker gives that, then let's do that."
"And the Ark?" Damon asked.
"Bella already said they're on their own. If people want to rejoin their family and chance the Guard, they're welcome to." Bellamy said.
Monty nodded. "Even…even if my mother is alive. I stay with Bella. I loved my mom. Until she let me get locked up, even if it was part of the plan. She tossed me away. I'm not eager to get back to her." He said and looked at Bella.
Bella nodded. "Alright, so let's talk to the others. See how they feel." She said and they left the drop ship and gathered everyone up. Bella stood on a crate, so everyone could see her. "Alright. In six days, the grounders will attack and our infiltration of Mount Weather seems to be dangerous at this time. We're still very vulnerable here. We have one defense strategy in place, and we do have weapons, but after Ana's forces charge in here, and we use our one and done, we're left defenseless against the Mountain Men." She paused, looking over at Bellamy. "The bunker is 30 miles out. It's safer, and fortifiable. There is bunk space for 20 people even more if we cram in there like we have on the drop ship. We can put up new walls, build new huts, and have a closer access to clean, fresh water."
"What about the Ark?" Someone asked.
Bella nodded. "I understand some of you want to rejoin your families. I get that. My job is to keep you all safe. I want what's best for the group. I won't send my people to knock on the Ark's door for danger, but I will take the people who want to go back to the Ark, right outside their perimeter, and then you'll be on your own."
"What if we don't want to leave?" Dax asked.
"That's your choice." Bella said. "The bunker is safer."
People started murmuring.
Bellamy spoke up. "Six days. That is how long we have before the grounders get here. We have four days to move camp safely. That also gives you four days to decide if you want to go to the Ark, or if you want to chance the drop ship."
Bella nodded. "We understand and respect everyone's wishes. If you absolutely know you're coming to the bunker, I suggest you start packing. Thank you," she said and hopped off the crate, Bellamy's hands going to her waist to guide her down.
Caroline went to Bella. "Bella. Nik and I…. we're coming with you." She said. "We trust you."
Bella nodded. "Thank you." She said with a smile.
[4 hours later]
"I'll set the traps with the dynamite along the perimeter to give the camp some time to know when to get into the drop ship." Niklaus said.
Bella nodded and looked at Alaric. "Ric, how many people are coming to the bunker so far?"
"32." Alaric answered.
Bella sighed. "44 people want to stay?"
Alaric nodded. "The one's staying, half of them, are traveling to the Ark. Dax and Clarke are leading that expedition."
"Dax isn't coming with us?"
"No." Bellamy said. "I was surprised to. But I think it's because his girlfriend was still on the Ark. He has hope that maybe she's still alive."
Bella couldn't fault Dax for wanting to go back, to find her. "Alright. Start packing up what we can. Leave some weapons for Dax and Clarke to use. We don't want to take everything. They deserve a fair shot."
Bellamy nodded. "It'll be dark soon. Caroline is making some sort of soup. I say we eat something, get some sleep and then regroup in the morning."
"Sounds like a plan." Nik said, and stood. "I'll set out early in the morning and rig the traps."
"I will help you." Raven said. "Faster with two of us."
Bella nodded. "Alright." She looked towards the door, seeing the light dissipate quickly. Tomorrow they would take the first trip to the bunker with everything they could carry. She didn't want to leave anything to chance. Just in case the grounders arrived early.
[The next Morning]
When the first lick of daylight shone through the trees, Niklaus and Raven were already heading into the woods, placing the traps. Dax and Clarke were organizing who all was going with them to the Ark. Bella and Bellamy organized their people. They knew it would take a few hours to get things broke down and everyone moving. Their list stayed at 32, and Bella worried about the ones that wanted to stay behind and chance it. Most of them were the youngest, which she knew was because they wanted to see their parents on the Ark if they had survived.
Bellamy looked at Dax. "You know where to find us." He said.
Dax nodded. "I know. I just…. I can't not know Bell. The satellites aren't giving me much. I just have to know if Elena is okay."
"I get it. Safe travels. Watch that spring going there. There is a creature that lives in it."
Dax smiled. "Yeah, almost took Murph out the first day here." He said and then fist bumped Bellamy.
Bella helped Caroline pack up their things on their bunk, including the tech that Bellamy and the others brought back the first time.
By eight, they were all ready to go.
"Alright, we're doing this in three groups. Bellamy's group is, Stef, Ric, Lincoln, Mora, Sadie, George, Carson, James, Mae, and Max. You guys are leaving out first, make sure you have your packs. Stay together, don't split up or veer off course." Bella announced, and Bellamy walked over to her.
"I'll see you on the other side babe." Bellamy said with a smile, and leaned in and kissed her gently. He winked at her and then went to stand by the gate, making sure his whole group was with him.
Bella smiled, but then turned her focus on. "Care, Murph, Nik, Shea, Collin, Tallie, Layla, Sara, John, and Tara, you're with me. Stay with me. Tallie is our medic, but let's not test her please." She said and then looked over at Jazz.
Jazz whistled. "Alright, my group is Damon, Raven, Jasper J, Monty, Alfie, Holly, Marie, Kate, and Caleb. We're bringing up the caboose. Let's get this hike started. Remember not to feed the wolves." He teased.
Dax and Clarke started rounding up their people. Clarke was going to lead it with Dax, and they had 44 people, and 22 were going with them to the Ark, while the others stayed back.
"Liles, Martin, Robert, Jenni, Carter, Tyson, Mac, Clint, Zyla, Becca, Lawrence, you guys are going with Clarke ahead of the group. I'm taking Laura, Kalen, Daren, Landon, Pete, Dove, Chase, Gin, Kayla, Lewis, and Clay. Ashton and Boone are taking point here at camp. You know what to do if the grounders make it here before we get back. Don't open the drop ship unless you hear one of us." Dax explained.
Bella felt like it was a mistake to leave all the youngest at the drop ship, but she didn't say anything. She just readied her people to get moving. It was likely they would catch up with the other group, but the groups kept it organized, and it helped make it to where they could keep up with everyone as well, so no one got lost, or severely hurt. "Alright, let's move." She called out to her group, and she started the 30-mile hike to the new bunker, and their new home.
