Chapter 16

The Arc Continued...

Abby was walking to the council chamber when she heard Jackson running up behind her, calling to her,

"Abby, stop we need you in ops immediately." Abby turns and started running back toward the command centre.

"What is going on, what's happened?" Abby Demanded, Callie turned to look at her.

"23 more tiles have turned dark Ab... Chancellor, I had Jackson double check but they all experienced spikes in their vitals before they went dark..." Abby grabs a tablet and starts scanning through, Clarke's tile is still lit up and her vital are completely stable, the rest of the group are experiencing elevated heartbeats but no sign of pain. The Vitals could indicate fear... Abby thinks about the timings that coincide with each bracelet going off, they seem to be going off one by one. And it is only immediately prior to the wristwatch going dark do they experience pain. This leads Abby to believe that they are not dying from radiation.

"It's not radiation, I think it's coercion. If you look at the data it is too uniform, stable vitals then pain then the wristwatch goes dark. It's not how they would react to radiation; radiation sickness can be quick but they wouldn't be dying one after the other we would see some go at the same time. If you look there is a break in time between Fox's wristband going dark and Well's. I believe this is because Wells would not submit easily to being coerced, Wells knows the importance of the wristbands to the Arc he would not take it off willingly." Abby is sure of it; her cool demeanor helps to calm everyone else down. Jackson turns to her,

"Chancellor there's something else..." Abby turns to face him raising her eyebrow signaling she is listening.

"There are rumors going around about the launch of the dropship, people don't believe that it was an accident and they don't believe there's a virus in lock up either preventing them from seeing their loved ones" Abby shakes her head, so many lies have been told she understands the need to control the situation to maintain order, but lies will always rise to the surface. Lies breed distrust in leadership and that's not what Abby wants now that she's Chancellor. Abby needs to consider her next moves carefully.

"Thank you, Jackson, if there's nothing else I have a meeting with the rest of the council." Abby excuses herself and walks to the council chambers, as she arrives, she mentions there was an urgent matter in the command centre and apologizes for the delay.

"I Have called this meeting for several reasons firstly to share what planned address regarding Chancellor Jaha's death and to discuss matters relating to the exodus project. Firstly my address to the Arc will be as follows,

'People of the Arc, it is with a heavy heart that I am speaking to you this evening to inform you of the death of Chancellor Jaha who has died following an assignation plot. We know who perpetrated this crime and know he did not work alone, Councillor Kane is working tirelessly to root out the conspirators.

It has fallen on me through a unanimous council vote to take over as Chancellor until a formal vote can be carried out. During the tenure of the previous Chancellor, a lot of decisions have been made behind closed doors without the people of the Arc being able to fully comprehend the reason why, it is my intention to share those reasons with you. My husband Jake was the chief engineer of the Arc and he was floated because of the knowledge that he wished to share with you. It is to honor my husband that I am telling you now.

The Arc is dying, there is an error with the Oxygen recirculation system meaning that in four months' time, we will run out of air. It is with this knowledge that we have sent 100 Juvenile prisoners including my own daughter Clarke and Former Chancellor Jaha's son to earth to see if it is survivable. Over the coming weeks should it prove successful we will begin the exodus to return our people to our home on earth. We ask for your cooperation in the coming weeks through this time of transition. I will update you regarding our efforts in due time.

Thank you for your attention, Chancellor Abigail Griffin.'" Abby sets down her paper and looks at the council and they stare back at her with gaping mouths and stunned expressions. Kane stands up from his chair in outrage.

"You cannot be serious Abby; this will cause riots! The people of the Arc will not take this news well, knowing we sent their children to earth without permission and the earth is dying they will not stand for it. I will not stand for it." Abby grits her teeth and calmly smiles at Kane,

"Councillor Kane, I am Chancellor now, I have been sworn in and it can only be overturned by a formal vote from the people. So, I am not asking for your permission. I have told you what I will be saying to our people in advance as a courtesy so that you may prepare your guards, and that the rest of the councilors can support your people, to ensure order. However, I think our people will surprise you. There have been far too many secrets kept by this office for too long, I will not continue that tradition. Now, sit down!" Abby's voice rings with authority and Kane slowly returns to his seat.

Now that that is sorted, I will address the people at 8 am tomorrow. The next piece of business is related to my plans for the exodus project moving forward, I'm proposing a change to the original plan. It is outdated and was made on the proviso that we would have at least 50 more years to figure it out, so it needs to be changed to fit our current situation. This is what I am proposing...