Here we are again … I'm embarking on a new journey of a fanfiction story. This time, we're going with a post-apocalyptic vibe. I recently watched The 100 on Netflix. I'd been intrigued to write a story based off that show/series of novels. I decided to write it for NaNoWriMo. I'd starting almost halfway through the month, but I'm determined to, at least, get something going. My goal is to finish the story for NaNoWriMo July Camp …
Up next, we'll find out what happened with the Ark, Charlie and with Alice. Leave me your thoughts and thank you for reading. I truly appreciate it!
Chapter Fifteen: On the Ark, Descending to the Ground
Renee
Everything was secured and Charlie was in the command center, preparing for our departure. I was strapped in, squeezed in between Carlisle and Aro's orphaned son, Demetri. Demetri's hand was in mine as I tried not to cry. To be honest, it was a losing battle with tears welling. I stared, unseeingly at the bulkhead in the surgical bay.
"Swan to Ark Station, thrusters will deploy in T-minus five minutes," Charlie's disembodied voice said through the intercom system. "Make sure everyone is strapped in." There was a pause and he let out a breath. "May we meet again …"
"May we meet again," I whispered back. "We will find each other again, Charlie." My eyes fluttered shut as tears streaked down my cheeks, the battle lost. "I love you …"
Carlisle took my hand, squeezing my fingers. "We'll figure out a way to get Charlie down to the Ground. I promise you," he murmured. "We did not spend hours and all of our blood stores to put him back together for him to die of hypoxia."
"How can we do that? It's not like there's rockets to get up to the outer ring when we get down to the surface," I hissed angrily. "He's going to die up here."
"We have the most brilliant minds on the Ark, we can figure something out," Carlisle soothed.
"T-minus one minute," Charlie announced. "Ren, hug our baby girl for me."
"I will," I replied, even though he couldn't hear me. I closed my eyes, trying to imagine Charlie in the command center, preparing the Ark for its final departure and descent to the Ground. As the engines roared to life, I slipped my arms around Demetri, providing him comfort when all I wanted was my husband's arms around me giving me comfort.
"Ten … nine … eight … seven … six … five … four … three … two … one … launch," Charlie counted.
With a jerk, the Ark jumped forward, pushing all of us into the bulkheads. It rolled harshly and we felt the moment the artificial gravity disengaged. Thanks to the straps, we were still secured in place. Demetri buried his face into my chest, whimpering in fear. I tried to whisper calming words to him, but the engines were too loud. I just held him tightly as the Ark lumbered through space and into the atmosphere.
Sinclair, who was sitting across from us, was monitoring our progress on his tablet. He said something, but I couldn't hear him over the roar of the engines. Then, there was a loud boom and the Ark jolted violently. Sinclair's eyes widened. His fingers flew out over the tablet.
"What's happening?" Demetri yelled over the din of the engines.
"I don't know, Demetri," I answered. The Ark lurched again. I held him closer as the movements of the Ark became more erratic, causing it to tilt and rotate.
"We lost the aft section," Sinclair shouted over the roar of the engines. "Once we hit the atmosphere, the Ark broke apart into two sections."
"That's more than half of our population," Carlisle said with wide eyes. "What's the probability that they'll survive?"
"It broke apart in one piece, so the people might have a chance," Sinclair answered, holding up the tablet. Where the Ark had been one piece, it was now two. "I don't know where it'll land, but we can find it once we're on the ground."
"Are we on target to land near Mount Weather?" I shouted. When I said those words, my heart constricted. I was going away from husband. I'd never see him again, unless some miracle happened, and he managed to get down to the ground. I let the tears fall freely as I spun my wedding band around my finger. I closed my eyes, praying to whatever higher power that we'd land safely.
xx MWMA xx
Edward ~ In Medical at Mount Weather
I had to leave while Bella set Alice's jaw. While she did that, I called a meeting with my security team. I explained what happened to Alice and I asked them to increase their patrols along the perimeter of the mountain. I wanted them to keep their eyes peeled for Jacob and his cronies. They would pay for what they did to Alice.
"Swan to Cullen," Bella called to my radio.
I unclipped the radio from my belt, holding it up. "I'm here," I replied.
"I've set Alice's jaw. She's sedated," Bella explained. "We also cleaned her up. I have a feeding tube to get her some nutrition. Food obviously wasn't a priority at the Drop Ship. Alice was tiny to begin with …"
"I'll be right down," I said. "Thank you, Bella, for taking care of her. I love you, Princess."
"I love you, too, Edward," she murmured. "I have her set up in a private medical bay. I also got a cot for you or me, if you want to stay with her. I know you'd want to stay with her. I'll see you in a bit?"
"I'm just wrapping up a meeting with the security team. I'll be there soon," I breathed. "Cullen out." Turning to my team, I arched a brow. "Do you understand what I'm asking of you?"
"We'll keep our eyes and ears open for Jacob or his men from the Drop Ship," Tyler said. "We'll also keep everything under wraps in the mountain. We've got this, Commander."
"If there's an emergency, call me on my radio. I'll be in medical, supporting my sister," I said, giving them a curt nod. "Dismissed." My team left, giving me a few moments to myself before I went back to my suite. I took a quick shower and changed my clothes. I went to our closet, finding something for Alice to wear, but decided against it. Bella was tiny, but my sister was skin and bones.
Shaking my head, I left our suite and went to medical. Austin was in the main medical bay, working on creating more antibacterial salve. Jessica Stanley, she was working on organizing the supplies. In her chirpy voice, she gave me directions to the private medical bay where my sister was resting.
Bella was in the room, monitoring Alice's vitals. My sister's skin was clean, but covered in bruises and abrasions. Some of them were stitched closed and the rest were covered in gauze bandages, save for a cast on her left arm. "She's stable for now. I have her under sedation. The breaks in her jaw were substantial and I had to do some significant maneuvering to lock it into place," Bella explained.
"How long will she be sedated?" I asked.
"We'll check how she's doing pain-wise in a couple of days," Bella murmured, tugging me into the room and letting me sit on the stool. "I was concerned about internal bleeding with her ribs, but she's okay."
"Will she survive this?" I whispered, looking at my girl. "I mean …"
"She lost a lot of blood, but not enough to need a transfusion," Bella said. "She essentially was tortured for the entire time she was at the Drop Ship. The physical injuries will heal in time, but she'll take time in order for her emotional and mental injuries."
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"She'll need to talk about what happened in order to get over it," she explained. "Kind of how I need to talk about what happened to me in the sky box or my fears of what could have happened with Halsted."
"Will you do that for her?"
"I will try," Bella replied. "Hopefully, my mom will be down here soon, and she can help with Alice's treatment. It's hard for me to help her out when I need the same help myself. Does that make sense?"
I nodded, staring at my shattered sister. "Jacob will pay for what he did to her," I sneered.
"As he should," Bella agreed.
"I feel like part of this is my fault, Bella," I huffed. "It was my arrogance that pushed her straight into Jacob's waiting arms. He turned my sister against me."
"But, he didn't," Bella argued gently. "She came back. She's here."
"At what cost?" I breathed. "She was almost raped by her half-brother. She was beaten within an inch of her life. There's no part of her skin that isn't bruised. And now, you're telling me her spirit was bruised, too."
"All of our spirits were bruised," she said, sitting down on my lap. Her arms wove around my neck. I wrapped my arms around her body, clinging to her like she was the last person on the planet. It was then that I allowed my emotions to bubble to the surface. She let me cry it out. I'd been her rock when she thought she lost her mother and now, she was being my rock. "I'm going to get you some dinner. Austin is just outside with Jessica. I'll be back in fifteen minutes, okay?"
"We should also check on the Ark," I whispered against her soft cheek. "They should have begun their descent from orbit."
"I'll go up to the command center to see if Lauren or Eric are tracking the Ark," Bella said. She brushed my damp hair back. "You stay here and provide comfort for your sister. Her blood pressure lowered, and her pulse became less erratic while you were here." She pressed her lips to mine, kissing me tenderly. "I'll be back, I promise."
"Thank you, Princess," I murmured against her mouth. I brushed my lips over hers three times. She smiled, getting up off my lap. She took off her lab coat, walking out of the medical bay. I moved closer to Alice's gurney. I slipped my hand into hers. "Hey, Alice … I hope you're doing okay, and that Bella took good care of you. What am I saying? Bella took excellent care of you.
"We've got some time and I want to get to know you, who you were before we met. I also want you to know me. I'm not the uptight asshole you think I am. Okay, let me rephrase … I am uptight, but I'm not an asshole," I chuckled.
And thus began my vigil, sitting next to my sister and telling her all about my childhood, my parents and growing up on the Ark. I was telling her about the Unity Pageant when I read the story on Unity Day when Bella came back with two trays. She sat down, putting the trays on an adjustable table.
"I think I remember you telling the story on Unity Day," Bella said, tucking into her meal. "You were missing two teeth and had a lisp."
"Oh, and the ears," I snorted. "They stuck out like nobody's business."
"I thought you were cute," Bella said, blushing furiously. "Even with the missing teeth, lisp and stuck out ears. I never told anybody, but I wanted you to notice me. Granted, I was eight and you were ten."
"I was not cute. I was awkward and gangly. My head was too big for my body," I sighed. "Now, talking about cute? That would be you, with your curled pigtails and bright, sunny smile."
"Back when we didn't have a care in the world," she smirked, taking a sip of her apple cider. "How have times changed …"
"Tell me about it," I frowned, dunking some hearty bread into the stew. "You're in charge."
"With a sexy man as my second in command," she quipped with a saucy grin.
"I wouldn't classify myself as sexy," I blushed, shaking my head. "Where do you come up with this?"
"Well, your sexiness doesn't really have anything to do with your leadership abilities. You're naturally a charismatic person that garners respect," Bella said. "Plus, you're an inherently good man."
"As you are a good woman, smart, empathic, patient and kind," I murmured. "And, your sexiness has everything to do with your leadership abilities." She rolled her eyes, smacking my shoulder with her hand. "What? I think you're beyond beautiful."
"Thank you," she whispered. "I also think you're beautiful … inside as well as outside. At first, I thought you were an arrogant asshole, but now I know it was a front."
"I can still be an arrogant asshole, especially when it comes to protecting the people I love," I said, giving Bella a small genuine smile. "I don't know Alice well enough to say that I love her, but she's blood. She's my sister and I want to help her."
"And, we will," Bella vowed. "Once she's released from medical, she can stay with us. She'll need help."
We finished our meals and Bella disappeared to bring them back to dining hall. She said that she would check on the Ark, using the satellites in orbit. I continued sitting next my sister, sharing more stories with her. I just prayed that my sister would be okay.
xx MWMA xx
Charlie ~ On the Outer Ring of the Ark
"That's all the hydrazine," I said to the apparition of my brilliant daughter. "How much time do I have?"
"You're almost at the end of the window. You have to go now, Dad," Bella said. She walked over to me, giving me a warm smile. "We will see each other again. It will take some time, but we will."
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"You'll see," she answered cryptically. She held out her hand. I reached for her, and my hand went through hers. "In time, we'll see each other soon. May we meet again, Dad. I love you."
"You're leaving me," I frowned.
"It's time, Dad. I got you here, now it's up to you to get past the finish line," she smiled sadly.
"I love you, baby girl. I'm so sorry …" I said, wanting nothing more than to pull her into my arms and hold her forever.
"Dad, you need to get in that rocket," Bella pressed, pointing to the door. "Please … if you don't, we won't meet again."
"Okay," I said, putting the helmet on. I twisted it onto the spacesuit and turned on the oxygen flow. When I looked up, Bella was gone. I blew out a breath and climbed into the rocket. I carefully removed the umbilical lines, closing the hatch. Using the jerry-rigged straps, I settled into the rocket and released the docking clamps. I felt the rocket float away from the outer ring and using the thrusters, I angled the nose of the rocket toward North America.
With an audible gulp, I pressed the button for the engines, bringing them to life. I was slammed against the bulkhead as I began my journey back to the ground. I groaned as the rocket entered the upper atmosphere, making me feel gravity for the first time. I gripped the straps, praying that the landing would be smoother than the trip from the outer ring of the Ark.
I must have blacked out. When I came to, there was no hum of an engine. It was quiet and I felt heavy. I was also freezing. With a low moan, I unclipped my straps and opened the hatch of the rocket. I took off the helmet, but left the space suit on since it was so cold. It was dark and I wasn't sure what time it was. On top of that, I was in the middle of a sea of sand. Shaking my head, I grabbed the parachute and fashioned it as blanket.
I sat down, leaning against the rocket and trying to gauge where I landed. I couldn't tell since it was black as pitch. Regardless, I made it down to the ground. I successfully used a Stoke rocket to make it down to Earth. I looked up to the stars, staring at the velvety blanket of space as it surrounded Earth. The stars were not nearly as bright, but just as beautiful. I drifted off counting the stars.
Waking up the next morning, I was blinded by the sun. It was also much warmer. I stood up, looking around. In the distance, I saw the remnants of a large city. To my right, there was a large statue that held her arm up.
"I'm in New York," I said. "That must be the Statue of Liberty and in the distance? What's left of Manhattan …"
Frowning deeply, I looked at the rocket and burrowed inside it. I found a paper map I'd stuffed inside. Mount Weather was close to Washington D.C. I spread the map out on the hull of the rocket and calculated the distance between New York City and Washington. I had a multi-day trek ahead of me.
The first thing I had to do was find a fresh water source. I folded up the map and tucked it inside the rocket. I took off the space suit and put on a jacket I'd stuffed in the rocket, along with a bag. I hooked it around my shoulders, pulling out a protein bar. I ate a hasty breakfast, leaving the rocket – my safe haven and own personal Ark down to the ground – and beginning my trek south to reunite with my family.
xx MWMA xx
Renee ~ On the Ground
"Dr. Renee, wake up," Demetri said, gently pressing his hands into my cheeks. "It's so quiet."
I blinked a few times, giving my eyes a moment to focus around me and on the people inside the medical bay. From what I could see, everyone seemed okay. There were some bumps and bruises, but no one was severely injured. At least, not that I could see.
"It's so quiet because there's no engines keeping us above the atmosphere," Sinclair answered, standing up and grimacing as his bones cracked. He offered me a hand, pulling me to my feet. "There's an exterior hatch in the main promenade. You've sacrificed the most … you should be the first person …"
"I … I don't know," I argued.
"No, he's right, Renee," Carlisle said, helping Esme up and holding her hand. "Go with Sinclair."
"Do you want to come with me, Demetri?" I asked.
"No, not yet," Demetri answered, walking to Carlisle and Esme.
"I'll go with you," Sinclair smiled. "Come on, Renee. It's safe."
I gulped down my nerves and followed Sinclair to the center of the main promenade. He pulled down a ladder, walking to the hatch and shifting it open. He pushed it out and sun filled the promenade. With a sincere smile, Sinclair held out his hand and I reached for it. I climbed up the ladder, pushing into the chilly morning air. I inhaled deeply, smelling the fresh pines and clear air. With shaking limbs, I put my feet on the outer hull of the Ark. Sinclair was behind me, beaming brightly. "It's beautiful," I whispered. "I never imagined that it would be so incredibly beautiful."
"Beyond beautiful," Sinclair agreed. "But, we're outside our landing zone. I wanted to be within ten miles of Mount Weather. If I'm correct, Mount Weather is the peak about twenty miles to the south."
I heard the rumble of engines and saw three black vehicles making their way toward us. I let out a laugh, pointing to the vehicles. "It appears my daughter took that into account. She sent the welcome wagon."
"Bella is one of the most brilliant minds of their generation," Sinclair agreed. "And to think, Charlie …"
"Don't say it," I spat, shooting our head engineer a glower. "Charlie knew he fucked up and I don't need constant reminders of …"
"I'm sorry, Renee. I shouldn't have said anything," Sinclair apologized. "For now, let's celebrate being on the Ground. We'll need to find the other half of the Ark, but for now we're down here and no longer in immediate danger. You can be reunited with your baby girl."
I smiled at that, eager to see my daughter and to be able to hold her again.
I may have lost my husband today, but my daughter was alive and well. And today? I'd be able to hold her, see her and love her. Our mantra of meeting again … it held true today.
A/N: From here on out, we will be primarily using Edward and Bella's POV. There might be one more Charlie POV, but we'll see. Pictures from this chapter are on my blog. You can find a link for that on my profile. I'm also on FB: Tufano79's Twilight Fanfiction Appreciation. Twitter, Spoutible and Hive, as well: tufano79.
Up next will be Bella's reunion with her mother, some work on Alice's recovery with Renee's help, and some drama from the Drop ship. Leave me your thoughts and thank you for reading.