A/N: Enjoy!
Chapter 15: Contact and planning
Glancing at the position of the sun through a window, Clarke estimated that she still had some time before lunch, so she returned to the Nightbloods and spent the rest of the morning supervising chess matches and discussing their strategies and mistakes. In doing so, she was reminded of a book her teacher from the Ark had mentioned a few times – The Art of War. She remembered browsing through its digital version some years back, but she had not read it in depth as she had never expected to actually need the knowledge for anything other than academics.
Now, though… From what little she remembered, it would be the perfect lesson book. It would also help her with planning an attack against the Mountain with Lexa. From what she had learned about Grounder history – attending the Natblidas lessons and discussing with Lexa certainly helped in that regard – most of the battles that had been waged since the clans were formed had been a show of strength more than conquering a strategic position. Leaders could usually be challenged, so in essence a leader had to prove that he could protect his people. If the battle was lost, the leader rarely stayed in place for long. Many of the bigger clans were in fact the fusion of smaller ones from earlier victories.
Basically, it was unusual for the clans to lay siege or conquer a piece of land. They knew how to defend their own lands and lead and direct an army in a battlefield, and the Commander and her novitiate had some theory on invading enemy lands, but from what she had heard so far, she doubted any Heda had ever needed that knowledge.
Clarke was slowly realizing just how important honour was in the grounders' culture. She knew they believed in reincarnation, and from some comments made by people she healed in the city, she guessed that leading an honourable life ensured you would be reincarnated in a better life. It also explained why Lexa was so careful in choosing potential spies. Those men and women would be unsure of how their actions would impact their future life, so only utter devotion to the Commander would convince the young leader to even broach the subject.
She frowned. Assassination and murder were clearly the most dishonourable thing one might do, especially against a natblida. So how the hell had Azgeda managed to form and maintain a group of sworn and trained assassins? She would have to ask Lexa.
Right now, though, the matter of the Mountain was more pressing, and if she hoped to be of any use in the planning, she had to find the Comander an old wealth of knowledge from ancient China.
Hopefully some copies of the famous book would have survived. At least she had fewer and fewer crates and piles to work through in the Tower's library.
She retired to her room as soon as she found a copy of the book, and settled in her bed to read it. It was much shorter than she had expected, and she advanced quickly, taking notes of quotes and concepts she found most interesting.
She heard a familiar knock against her door and laid the book next to her pillow while Lexa entered. She had pretty much given up hope of making the brunette wait after knocking at this point. She was almost starting to find the habit endearing – and she blocked the door with a chair when she didn't want to be disturbed. That made Lexa ask if she could come in. Otherwise she was starting to realize, after more walks around the town, that knocking and waiting was just not a habit amongst the grounders. It was more a way to catch the occupant's attention than a way to ask for permission to enter. Lexa had explained that she was supposed to warn her guards when she did not want to be disturbed, but Clarke always forgot to do that before closing her door behind herself – and placing a chair was much quicker anyway.
''You are more likely to understand the Mountain's needs and technology than I am. What do you think of what your friend reported?'' Lexa asked as she took her usual seat near the bed.
''I think it could work for the best. The biggest issue was to pass the acid fog and open the bunker. If we wait until they get out, they will solve both problems for us. We just have to be ready for when they finally venture outside.'' She said.
Lexa shook her head. ''My warriors cannot fight against the Maunons weapons, Klark. Their guns will kill many before we take them down. And they have missiles.''
That was not something she had anticipated. At least not the missiles.
The other woman insisted. ''We must act soon. We have greater numbers, but I will not have my warriors and villagers slaughtered if there is another way. They think us savages, but we are not.''
Clarke glanced at her book. ''When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.'' She quoted slowly, reading a passage she had noted down earlier.
''What are you saying?'' Lexa asked as she furrowed her brow.
Clarke looked up and showed her the book. ''I remembered an old book and found it this afternoon. It's called The Art of War.''
Lexa smiled. ''Sounds promising.''
''It's a very old and very famous book. That was a quote from one the many advices in there.''
''I could not recognize all of the words.'' Lexa admitted.
''First is when strong, avoid them. We can't defend ourselves against the missiles, so we have to find a way to avoid them.''
''You cannot miss with such a weapon.'' Lexa objected.
Clarke brightened. ''Yes, you can!'' She realized. ''We must make them miss!''
Sudden hope shone on the Commander's features. ''How?''
''To launch and aim a missile, they need coordinates. That means they must have a spotter near the target before they launch, to confirm the coordinates.'' The blonde reflected.
''So if we can locate and kill those spotters first, we are safe. But a single man can easily hide in bushes. This strategy has no guarantee of success.'' Lexa cautioned wearily.
Clarke bit her lip. ''Then we must not give them any reason to use the missiles. We must offer no targets – no real ones at least.''
Lexa seemed to consider the idea. ''You suggest that we use deception. Incite them to aim at things that have no value to us.''
Clarke nodded eagerly. ''You discretely evacuate the villages. We probably have about at least a month before they even think of launching an attack – they must have enough people able to go outside. So that gives us time to relocate your people, discretely. Then we find some way to make them think the villages is still inhabited, and they will uselessly throw their missiles at them.''
''The roads will be harder to travel soon. And moving so many people without being noticed… But it is worth it. If they stay, they die. At least this way we can save some of them, even if the Mountain realizes what we are doing.'' Lexa assented. ''Let us hope winter will not come too early.''
''We have a month. They can evacuate in small groups. The size of a hunting party, for example. And they carry only the essentials – food, mementos. Will you have enough space for them in the other villages and Polis? If the plan works, their former villages will be destroyed. It will take time to rebuild.'' Clarke advised.
''They are my people.'' Lexa stated strongly. ''I will find as much place as they need.''
She paused. ''There is only one problem with this plan. The spotter you talked about, he will notice if the village is empty.''
Clarke swore. ''You are right. I had thought we might build dummies, and lit the fires and put venison on display. But the spotter will see through it if he observes for a while before giving the coordinates.''
She swore again.
Lexa leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling. ''We must leave people in the villages.'' She concluded slowly. ''Volunteers. I am sure some of the oldest villagers will not wish to leave. And some warriors will probably accept to take on this mission.''
Clarke startled. ''You can't ask people to die, Lexa!''
''Yes I can. I am a leader. It is my role to look my men in the eyes and tell them to die for me.'' Lexa reminded her. ''Is it not the same with chess? You sacrifice some pawns to lead your enemy where you want him.''
''But… It's human lives we are talking about. Not wooden pawns.'' She argued weakly.
She knew Lexa was right. Everything pointed to that solution. It did not make the decision any easier, though. And even though Lexa was the one who would give the orders, Clarke would forever know that she had participated in the planning.
''Better a handful of warriors sacrificed than scores on the battlefield or hundreds of villagers.'' The brunette enounced softly. ''You have an amazing knowledge, Klark, and a mind smart enough to use it. You know this is how things must be done. You just lack the experience to accept it.''
She hung her head. ''You are right.'' She sighed.
''So, we have a plan for the missiles. Any other inspiration from your new book?'' Lexa asked.
''This new book is actually over twenty-five hundreds of years old, you know.'' She remarked as she picked up her notes again.
They spent the rest of the evening and most of the next day planning. A few times, Clarke went to Monty to ask him about specific points, any details he might have forgotten to share in his first retelling.
By the end of the second day, they had a rough plan and several variations depending on how the Mountain would respond. Lexa had sent a messenger to Indra to order her not to augment the number of scouts, but with detailed instructions on what the warriors had to look out for and report.
When the Mountain men moved, they would have to be ready.
The next day, an excited Monty came to find Clarke in the war room, as she was pouring over maps with Lexa. He banged on the door since the guards were under strict instructions that no one was to be allowed in unless authorized by the Commander. Taking down the Mountain would be a huge show of power, and Lexa intended to make it clear to the people and the clans' chiefs that the victory was Heda's. No one was to learn of the preparations until she sent out her orders.
''Clarke! The Ark! I reached the Ark!''
Feverishly, Clarke sent a pleading look to Lexa. The brunette nodded and wrapped up the maps and notes to hide them from view, while Clarke called out for the guards to let her friend in. He stumbled in when the doors suddenly opened, grinning.
''They answered, Clarke! During the last few minutes of our 'try to contact the Ark' hour. I gave them the time for tomorrow, and told them what you said: Earth is survivable, and we made contact with other survivors. I told them you were alive and that you would be the one to explain everything tomorrow.''
She pumped her fist in the air. ''Great news! Feels like things are finally coming together.'' She sighed in relief. The delinquents were safe enough for now, and she had a good plan to rescue them and beat the Mountain. The Ark was now aware that Earth was survivable. Even if they somehow lost the radio – like if that dynamo that smoke after an hour of use exploded unexpectedly – she had completed her mission and her people would not have to suffocate in space.
''Raven should be back today or tomorrow, so soon we won't be restricted to talk to the Ark. I will explain as much as I can tomorrow.'' She dismissed Monty with a smile and a congratulatory hug and then turned to Lexa who had pulled out another map. ''Have you found places where they could land safely without endangering your people?''
The Commander pointed to several marked areas. ''I located those when Raven first started working on the radio. I waited until there was news before I showed them to you.'' She tapped on a couple of them. ''But some are in the area we need to prepare our attack against the Mountain. And I need your knowledge of what your people will have to survive with – the clans will not provide much to people they know nothing of.''
Lexa raised her head with an interrogative look. ''Any chance your people would be able to wait until spring to land? Resources would be easier to forage, and the Mountain should have been dealt with by then. We already have to provide for the evacuated villagers – they won't be able to save all the food they prepared for this winter. Not to mention the Mountain's prisoners, if they are as numerous as your friend said.''
Clarke rubbed her temples. ''I will ask them how much time they have left. But they also have to keep a security margin. It has already been over a month since the dropship landed. Even with the people they sacrificed after sending us down, I don't think they have much time.''
The brunette stared at the map, and Clarke waited. She knew Lexa had a near perfect knowledge of how many people lived on which lands, what they produced and foraged, and the rough amounts they could spare. While they planned for Mount Weather, they had only been able to proceed so quickly because the Commander was able to dismiss any idea that was rendered impractical by lack of resources or the shape of the lands almost immediately.
Lexa pointed to three areas. ''Those are out. The first two would disturb our preparations against the Mountain – and we have no idea how the Mountain might react if they see your people coming down. The third one is in Azgeda. With Nia's machinations lately, I'd rather not tempt her with potential hostages. Announcement for ambassadors in the clans will have happened by then. She will be angry.''
Clarke nodded. Lexa was already trying to smuggle her first spies in the different clans. They brought no information for now, but they were a first step to finding other candidates. She made a mental note to discuss the last chapter of The Art of War with the Commander soon – it was dedicated to espionage and detailed the five kinds of spies one needed to implement to have a nearly unbeatable system.
''Do all of your people have to come at once?'' Lexa mused out loud. ''If they send a fraction first, would it give enough time for the rest to wait until spring? We could more easily provide for fewer people – and it would give us more time to negotiate. Your radio is impressive, but rather limiting when we cannot see the face of the emissary or show them the maps while discussing lands and trade.''
Clarke smiled. ''It could actually work. I won't hazard a number now, the engineers will know better than I how much security they need to spend one last winter in space. Can you calculate how many people you can welcome without it being too much?'' She asked.
The brunette nodded. ''I will work on this.'' She paused, considering. ''With Aden. And we should include him in our preparations, too.''
Clarke knew what this was about. ''I told you, Lexa. You are not dying until you have changed this stupid Conclave.''
The young woman shook her head dismissively. ''There will be no Conclave if I fall against the Mountain. Aden is the only one old enough to enter. People will see Strina's recent death as the Spirit choosing him over her.''
Her face had closed at the mention of her deceased novitiate. Clarke wondered if the brunette had at least allowed herself to cry in the privacy of her own rooms.
Lexa looked at her in a rare moment of insecurity. ''Will you stay by his side if he has to succeed me?'' She asked in a soft voice.
''I would never abandon any of these kids, no matter what.'' Clarke rasped. ''And neither will you. You have warriors. You don't have to be on the front lines when there will be so much to coordinate.'' She argued.
Uselessly. They had already had that same discussion a dozen times. Lexa wanted Clarke to keep things organized from the command center, safe behind the many lines of warriors, as she had a better understanding of all things technical they might encounter and absolutely no fighting skills. Clarke wanted to stay close to Lexa to heal her if she got hurt. And the Commander had to lead her warriors in the battle. That honour thing again, apparently.
So far, she had not managed to convince Lexa. Her argument that even the lines of warriors did not guarantee that she would not find herself in a fight had only resulted in Lexa adding weapon training in her schedule. Now, she was trying to improve with a bow while the Nightbloods spared in their glade, and Lexa showed her basic moves with a dagger and a sword.
And the brunette refused to rely solely on Clarke's power to ensure her safety. Meaning the healer was really running out of arguments.
Lexa did not even bother to reply to her, simply rolling her eyes at that statement. Clarke sighed and delivered her surrender with a shrug.
The following day, she nervously sat in front of the radio. Monty was standing against the wall close to the door, while Lexa was directly behind her, hands clasped behind her back as she often did when facing an official discussion. Clarke almost commented that the Chancellor wouldn't be able to see her anyway, but refrained.
She was too nervous for the joke not to come out biting. She was irritated that Raven was not back yet and that the time would be limited. She wanted to ask about her mother and other acquaintances, but that would have to wait. She knew Monty was still without news of his own parents.
She pushed the button with a trembling hand once the warrior started pedaling.
''Earth to the Ark, this is Clarke Griffin. Do you read me? Clarke Griffin to the Ark! Do you read me?'' She said.
There was static when she released the button. She tried again, speaking louder – not that it would matter, really, but she felt the need to do it anyway.
Static. Had something happened? She felt her heart beat faster in her chest and her clammy hand slipped on the button.
Static again. And when she was about to press the button to try again…
''I read you, Clarke.''
She froze.
''Clarke?'' The voice repeated, worried.
She held back a sob as she pushed the button again.
''I read you, Mom.''
She felt Lexa shift behind her and a hand hovered above her shoulder before settling on the back of the chair. She took a deep breath, thanking whatever gods or this damn Spirit Lexa was always going on about for this moment. She felt silent tears run down her cheeks as she continued.
''We still have to power the radio with a dynamo, so we can't speak long. Raven should arrive with the solar panels this afternoon. We will have more time once she installs them.'' She said, reminding both the Ark and herself.
''I am glad you are okay.'' She added after a short pause.
''I am well, Clarke. Don't worry about me. And tell Monty his parents are fine, too. They send their love and are happy to know he is okay.'' Abby replied. She could hear the smile in her mother's voice and felt one growing on her own lips in response.
''He is here, Mom. He heard you, and he sends his love as well.''
''I'll pass it on.'' She could picture her mother nodding as she said that. ''He said yesterday that you made contact with other survivors? What does that mean?''
Time for business, then.
''We are not alone on the ground. Some people survived the bombs, and their descendants have thrived on the East Coast ever since. I met their leader, and she was very understanding once everything was explained. We will need to negotiate whether we become part of an already existing clan or if we want lands to be our own. But first, we need to agree about the landing of the Exodus ships. We were lucky the dropship did not fall on a village – there were a couple quite close.'' She explained as succinctly as she could.
''Clarke, this is Jaha.''
She straightened in her chair and whispered to Lexa that this was the Chancellor. She could not recall whether or not she had told her the name before.
''First things first, how is my son? Is he with you?''
Shit. She could hear the hope in his voice. Fuck. She should have anticipated this would happen. Think of how best to break the news. But Wells' death felt so long ago to her…
Her throat was tight as she replied.
''I am sorry. He… he is dead.''
She glanced at Monty. She remembered digging his grave with him. Next to Jasper's.
Wells had gone in the dropship for her. And now he was dead.
''How?'' She could hear the grief in the Chancellor's voice, but anger soon followed. ''Was it one of those other survivors that killed him?'' He demanded.
''No!'' She exclaimed loudly. ''No. It… it was one of the other delinquents. A girl. She killed herself soon after.''
She didn't know why she felt the need to say that last sentence. Because she wanted Jaha to feel like his son had been avenged? Because she didn't want him to be angry at Charlotte, a girl he had deprived of her parents and locked away?
''Why?'' Grief and disbelief warred in his voice.
''Because you killed her parents, and you weren't down here!'' She spat back, some of her own anger at the man piercing in her voice.
She released the button and crossed her arms to hide her tremors. She saw Monty silently asking her if she wanted him to leave the room. She shook her head and took another deep breathe to control her emotions.
''Clarke, Marcus and I will listen to what you need to tell us to prepare our landing. Thelonious… needs some time alone right now.'' Her mother announced diplomatically.
The blonde nodded, and then replied out loud remembering that her mother couldn't see her. Perhaps they could add a screen once Raven got back? Lexa was right, everything would be easier if they could see one another and show maps.
''Okay. First, it is nearly winter. The grounders can help us with supplies, but they didn't exactly plan to have two thousands more mouths to feed when they prepared for winter. So you need to give us an account of how much you can bring down in the Exodus. And the leader of the grounders – the Commander – will calculate how many people she can afford to house from that. Ideally, the people from the Ark would need to come down in two stages. The first one, as soon as we have agreed on a landing site, will winter on the ground, negotiate the future with the Commander, and prepare everything for the rest. The second one will be for everyone else. Those will have to spend winter in space.'' Clarke resumed.
''The details of the Exodus are only known to the Chancellor, so we can't answer you any of that now.'' She recognized Marcus voice, but the tone was a lot less… demanding than she remembered. She frowned, surprised.
''Your plan sounds good, though. We just have to work out the numbers.'' He added. ''But, frankly, our main problem is the oxygen. As you know.''
He paused. Clarke was about to ask how much air exactly they had left, when he continued, voice wavering slightly.
''We… People volunteered when the wristbands went out and Abby broadcast your father's message. We have about five months, if all goes well. I will have to check, of course, but I believe one Exodus ship will be enough for the Ark to safely last one more winter.''
Clarke intervened. They did not have much time left, and she wanted to discuss one last thing. ''We can work out the numbers later, no sense in conjecturing now. Another group of survivors – not answering to the leader I have met – has captured most of the delinquents. We are trying to get them out.'' She preferred not to use the word war at this point – they were thousands of miles away, no need to worry them. Let them think she was negotiating with several people.
She pressed on, even though she guessed her mother and Kane wanted to react. ''They are fine, last I heard. But some died earlier, as well. I will prepare a list of everyone's status. Can you communicate it to the families?''
''We will, Clarke. Who else is with you?'' It was her mother again.
''Monty is here.'' She listed. ''Raven is fine too, she went to get the solar panels as I mentioned earlier. Also, John Murphy is here. And Bellamy Blake.''
Her mother's voice was frantic when she replied. ''Clarke, be careful. Bellamy Blake tried to kill Thelonious before getting on the dropship.''
''You don't have to worry. He is in a cell right now. He tried to kill a couple of people down here. I am not sure what to do with him, honestly.''
Lexa spoke up. ''Since he first committed a crime against the Chancellor, I can hold him until your people come and collect him to punish him as they see fit.'' She offered.
Clarke nodded gratefully and turned back to the radio.
''Actually, the Commander offers to keep him where he is until you can collect him for trial.''
''Okay, then let's do that for now. He is not a priority.'' Kane replied approvingly. ''My thanks to the Commander, for everything.''
''Will you be able to make contact same time tomorrow, or will the Ark already be out of range?'' She asked.
''We should be able to, but I doubt we will have everything calculated by then. Can you have the list of the delinquents ready by then?''
She looked up at Monty. She could start the list, but he was really the one who would do most of the work. He nodded grimly and she grimaced. She wasn't looking forward to writing down the names of all those that had died. Not to mention that the families – for those that had one – would want more explanations.
''Yes. So just that for tomorrow?'' She clarified.
Her mother confirmed, and they exchanged hurried goodbyes. Then she nodded to the pedaling warrior to notify him that he could stop, and thanked him for his help.
''At least, Raven can take her time to add those panels. Dynamo will be enough for tomorrow, and then we will have a few days to work out the numbers until the Ark is in reachable distance again.'' She commented.
''I'll do the list.'' Monty intervened. ''You are working hard to get everyone out of Mount Weather, it's the least I can do. I''l bring it to you, if you want to add anything. And I can communicate it tomorrow as well, if you want.'' He offered.
She looked at the radio, hesitating. She wished she could speak longer with her mother, ask more about how and why she had used her father's message. But she would have more time to do it soon, and Monty had spend more time with the delinquents than herself. If he wanted to do it, he deserved the priority.
And they still had a lot to do. Preparations against the Mountain now that they had a plan, calculations for the Ark, lessons for the nightbloods, training, watching out for Azgeda…
She nodded her assent and thanked him. She also asked him to help Raven and sum up everything to the mechanic once she arrived.
The following week was busy. As promised, Aden was now attending all the preparatory meetings when his lessons permitted, and Lexa supervised as he made the calculations of supplies for both the coming war and the Ark. He did so with a grim efficiency.
One night, Clarke came back to his room through the secret passage. She did not want Lexa to know of her discussion with Aden. She shook the boy gently to wake him. She felt a little guilty to wake him when he was so tired the previous day, but hoped this conversation would ease his mind.
''Clarke?'' He asked, confused, as he rubbed his eyes.
''Sorry to wake you kiddo.'' She smiled. ''I know you are worried about Lexa.''
He settled against the wall and sighed as he nodded.
''She never included us in such preparations before.'' He confided. ''It feels like she is preparing me to take her place as Heda.''
''She is.'' She replied softly. ''But it does not mean she is going to die when we go fight the Mountain. It means she believes you are ready to participate in decisions like this. That she trusts you to make the right decisions.''
He shook his head dejectedly. ''It still feels like she expects to die soon. I don't want to be ready if it means she will leave us.''
If the subject of their conversation wasn't so grim, she would have laughed at the sulk the boy sported. The Natblidas often channeled Lexa in their attitudes, meaning that they rarely wore such expressive faces, except with each others, their Heda and, more recently, their healer.
''You know what I can do, Aden. I won't let her die. She will return to Polis healthy and victorious.'' She said, sitting next to the boy and draping an arm over his shoulders to pull him in an embrace.
''I know the battle plans. You won't be next to her all the time.'' He objected.
''I will still try to convince her to let me. And if I can't, I have a back-up plan.'' She smirked gently.
''Really?'' The boy perked up.
''Gustus. I will have Raven give me a radio for him. His mission will be to warn me if Lexa is in danger, and keep her alive until I reach her. He will also keep me updated of how far they are, so I will make sure that I am never too far from her. She doesn't have to know about this, obviously.'' She revealed to the young natblida.
He leaned against her.
''You promise?'' He asked, voice muffled against her side.
''I promise.'' She said solemnly as she kissed the top of his blond hair.
She held him until she felt him sag into her as he fell asleep. She laid him back more comfortably in his bed and left the room with a small smile.