Just a reminder, the prologue chapter was just a glimpse of what is to come. Here on out, the story should be linear. We're on the Ark, in case you can't tell. Anyway, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own The 100. That's all Jason Rothenberg and Kass Morgan. But I do own Micah and Veronica Pike as well as Tevin.

Faya Gada | 1

"Mikey. Mick. Mickey…Earth to Micah—"

A balled up napkin landed in a nest of unruly dark hair before falling into a hot liquid. The small splash of heat on her hand startled Micah back to reality. Bringing her hand to her mouth, she suckled on the soup-covered spot and retrieved the napkin, placing it beside her bowl.

"I've been talking to you for the past ten minutes. I know you didn't hear any word of it."

A dark eyebrow raised. "Was it important?"

The bald man across from her huffed and crossed his arms over the table. "I thought it was. I was talking about the—"

"—new rationing regulations," she finished with him, playing with her soup.

"So you were listening."

Five years of knowing this android of a woman and Tevin still had to guess around her. He studied the blank face across from him. Her usually straightened hair was a curly mess and fell around her shoulders. Her hazel eyes were calculating as always, even if they never left her bowl. Her almond skin didn't seem to shine as it usually did. Overall, she looked like she had a rough night.

Tevin wanted to ask about it, but he knew she would downplay whatever was bothering her as if it were nothing. For someone that took care of themselves, he didn't think she was being very healthy. Sure, she was throwing herself into her training, but he noticed her cutting meals and giving away some of her rations. Not to mention her slightly unkempt appearance.

And he knew that outside of himself, she didn't really talk to anyone about her personal life. That is, other than the Councilman.

"I already know you're going to say 'great'…but are you okay?"

He watched her lick her lips then push her bowl of soup away. "You're right. I am great." She straightened her grey top and shrugged on the jacket issued to guards, buckling the fastenings and clips. "Since I'm feeling great, I think I'll head over to Mecha," Tevin inwardly groaned, "and put in some hours."

Micah liked to use the stationary equipment to go through a harsh workout regimen of pushups and pull ups. But sometimes the workouts became dangerous, especially when she was upset about something. Someone once caught her screaming through the pain of doing pull ups upside down. Shocked, the person alerted the guards. A whole platoon crowded the corridor and they had to talk her down from the bars as if she were trying to take her life, but she wouldn't listen. The incident ended with her being forced to take two weeks temporary leave for psychological stress.

Now Tevin knew something was wrong. If he allowed her to repeat the last incident, his boss would surely demote him.

"Um," he shot up from his seat, catching her arm. "Why don't we do some sparring?" She looked at him as if trying to decide whether or not this was really happening. "We haven't had any action in a while and I noticed my skills slipping."

Micah straightened her back before smirking with her eyes. "Didn't know you had any to begin with."

"Hey!"

She finally let the smirk pull her lips and took hold of both of their trays. Tevin watched his friend walk toward the back of the dining hall to dispose of their dishes. He saw the blank expression creep over her face as soon as her back turned from him.

Something was definitely wrong.

"Veronica Pike! Veronica Pike, open the door. We know you're inside."

The door opened with a swoosh.

A thin woman stood next to the door, tugging the loose sleeves of her top to her elbows. Her long, dark hair was braided into cornrows around her head and pulled into a ponytail.

"Officers. Can I help you?" With the look she was giving them, she was clearly shocked.

"Ms. Pike, we just have some questions for you regarding your daughter. We'd like you to come with us."

Large, tired brown eyes blinked up at the guard in front of her. "I'm sorry. I don't think I need to go anywhere with you without knowing some more information first. Henry [1], what is this about?"

Shumway pushed his way past her and into the home. He gestured to his men who surged forward, crowding the woman in. "We are in the middle of an investigation. We asked you to come with us nicely, we won't ask again. I would provide your full cooperation now, Ms. Pike…And it's Commander Shumway, ma'am."

Veronica was confused as to why her friend was acting this way toward her, but she felt a hand fall on her shoulder behind her and knew she had to do what he said.

"Charles is expecting me to be here when he comes home…" She provided this information just to warn Henry of what would occur when her husband discovered she was gone. But he only saw this remark as a weak means of avoidance.

As the men grasp Veronica by the arms, Shumway pushed his way back through the door and turned back to now stoic stance.

"Then we better make this quick," he sneered, stalking down the hallway.

"Ow!"

"You have to throw your whole leg over. No, like this—"

"Ow, ow, ow…"

"You big baby…"

Kane could hear the sound of something hitting a mat. When he turned the corner, he could see a mass of curls straddling a bald, young man. Marcus' eye roll was interrupted by someone walking into his back. Momentarily, he forgot he had a small crowd of cadets shadowing him.

Clasping his hands behind his back, he cleared his throat.

"Inspector Graham. Pike."

Micah craned her head to look at the Councilman. She kept her hands locked around Tevin's locked arms below her torso. When she slightly turned her body to address her superior, Tevin let out a pained groan at the twisting of his limbs. Marcus barely heard the man squeak out a strained greeting from the ground.

"Councilman. A pleasure to see you, sir." Micah quickly shifted so she now comfortably sat atop Tevin's body, his arms remaining locked behind him at an awkward angle. She placed her hands on either of her opened legs as if they were having a casual conversation. "What can we do for you, sir?"

Kane glanced at the curious men standing behind him before speaking. "Just showing the new cadets around the barracks." He turned his head slightly to see Tevin's squished face. "They were supposed to begin their drills today, but the Commander and his lieutenants are nowhere to be found. I don't suppose you know anything about that?"

Micah brought up the front of her shirt to wipe the sweat from her neck. "The Commander said something about an investigation. Didn't give details and I didn't ask." They could all hear Tevin squirming from under her, but none could understand what he was saying beyond the mat. "If you're going to start the drilling soon, we can vacate. We were just burning some extra kcals."

Tevin's eye twitched involuntarily from its place against the floor at the comment. Is that what she called this torture? 'Burning' calories?!

Marcus was slightly peeved. He was stuck babysitting these guppies and his head of Guard was nowhere to be found. And it seemed the whole Guard had been informed of Shumway's activities. Kane didn't like not knowing information.

"That's alright," He could be seen looking around the room, thinking. "I have a better idea. Why don't you take over the drills in the Commander's place?"

Micah's eyes narrowed in on the man before her. Her train the initiates? Did he really trust her with them?

Before she could think about it further, the man under her desperately breathed out, "Please say yes."

Kane looked at her, no longer waiting for her confirmation. "You've got three hours with them before lunch." Before she could say anything else, "Just go through the basics."

As he turned to walk out the door, he caught the distraught looks of the cadets. They were worried about being left with this woman. They should be.

He eyed her one last time, "I'll send someone hourly to check that they're not all broken."

He left the twelve men standing in the opening.

Footnotes:

1 – I don't think we ever learned Shumway's first name so I gave him one. He kind of looks like he could be a Henry to me.