Trig in Italics aside from radio talk marked with ' '
Morning was fast approaching. After finalizing details in the remaining few days, all made sure they were on the same page of what was going to happen. After Raven had secured the channel on the radio they relayed as much detail as they could to Bellamy and Wonkru and hoped that by end of day, they would have control of the Valley.
Echo had been sat next to Griffin who was fast asleep. Thinking back on their conversation the previous day. Telling him that he and a few others were going to be here where it was safe. And that no matter what he heard, he was to stay put. Griffin had tried his best not to cry, but all he wanted was to have his family whole again. To hug his father and play with Uncle Monty and Aunt Harper. He may have been too young to fully understand what war was. But he wasn't too young to understand that it was something bad.
Echo tried to stay with him for as long as she could, but the time was coming for them to move out and get into position. Steeling herself she placed a gentle kiss to Griffin's head before slowly getting up in a way to not disturb him.
Everyone grabbed their weapons, ensured they were good on ammo, and headed to their stations. If Wonkru was coming from the gorge they needed to draw those fighters away with their own distraction. As they reached the first point, they spread out to take position. Any moment now Wonkru was reaching the opening.
"On my mark." Echo whispered to the group.
"Ready..Fire!"
They all peaked out of their spots and started firing on the pillbox. The prisoners stationed there were quick to take cover and grabbed at their guns, firing back.
They continue to shoot at them hoping it wouldn't be long for reinforcements to arrive and leave the gorge open for the army to move in. Murphy was struggling to get the cannon gun that they took ready.
"Murphy you finally got a gun. Use it!" Raven shouted, needing the extra firepower.
Murphy grunted in frustration. "Going as fast as I can!"
The machine shortly after came to life and Murphy stepped out into the open. "Say hello to my little friend!" He shouted at them, pointing the gun at the pillbox and fired.
The blast from the gun knocked him backward causing him to drop it. Once it hit the ground it started to make a beeping noise that grew louder and faster. Raven ran over to inspect it.
"He cracked the core. It's gonna blow! We should run." Shaw said as he gave them cover with gunfire.
Raven ripped open the control panel and yanked out one of the parts. "I don't run." She said as the machine powered down.
It then grew quiet. Too quiet.
"They stopped shooting back." Echo noted as she took a cautious step forward.
Shaw looked through the binocular, noting that there was no movement.
"No reinforcements yet either." Raven added, keeping her gun at the ready just in case.
"Where the hell is everyone then?" Murphy asked in annoyance.
They all knew that something had gone wrong. They hurried back to the cave so they could try and radio Bellamy or the others. It hadn't gone unnoticed that Kane and Diyoza were now gone.
"Mom!" Griffin ran to her and wrapped his arms around her. She gave him a quick hug, glad to see the few did as told and remained in the cave. "Griffin I need you to sit over there okay? Please." She didn't want to be rude, but there was no time to stop. Not when their friends could be in danger.
Raven made sure all the wires were still in place before firing up the radio and handing it to Echo.
"Bellamy, come in."
"Bellamy damn it come in. Do you read me? Bellamy come in!"
'Echo, It's Monty' Monty's voice finally came through. But why was it just him?
"Trig Monty, put Bellamy on." Echo told him, needing information on what was happening.
'I thought the signal was safe. What the hell happened?' He asked.
Raven then took the radio, "It was Diyoza. That bitch betrayed us."
Shaw tried to vouch saying they didn't know that for sure. But after Raven challenged him by asking where she was, he backed off.
"Kane betrayed us too." Murphy added noticing his lack of presence as well.
"Everyone quiet!" Echo shouted needing to think as she paced back and forth before taking the radio again.
"Monty where the hell is Bellamy?" She asked again.
'He's missing. But there's still gunfire happening in the gorge. It's not over yet.' he told them. 'Guys, if you don't figure out something fast. Three hundred people are gonna die out there.'
Echo shook her head, "If there's three hundred of you then attack!"
'Not an option' Monty interrupted her. 'There's only a handful of people willing to go back in! Nobody's in charge.'
Raven softened knowing they didn't have the time to be doing this. "Echo, if the enemy is listening.."
Echo nodded, "Ok we understand, and we'll figure something out. Radio silence until then, is that clear?"
'Copy' Was all Monty said before silence.
Echo handed the radio back to Raven as Murphy talked about air support and trying to take control of the ship and the missiles. Radio called him stupid for wanting to walk Shaw in there and practically giving him to them to use. Everyone agreed except Shaw.
"I agree with Murphy. If we can't get in through the gorge, then this is over and they die in the wasteland."
Echo wanted to stick with Raven and her reasoning but having that second option could be their only shot left. "Murphy, Emori stay here and try to get that cannon working again."
Murphy asked her what she meant, watching her reload her gun.
"Monty says they need a leader, so let's go get them one. Shaw and Raven, your with me."
Murphy got up to try and stop her but Echo grabbed at his hand, "Bellamy is in trouble." her tone serious and showing there was no room for argument. "Do what I say."
With that she walked off, a hesitant Shaw and Raven behind her. Although they could see she was acting off emotion right now, they knew in the end she was right to want to end this as quick as possible. Who even knew if their friends were ok out there. But either way they were going to fight and win the Valley back from the prisoners.
Emori turned to Griffin who was looking at her with worried eyes. "Is Momma ok?"
Murphy surprised her by being the one to kneel down in front of the kid and explain what was happening. She then sat by the gun to start assessing it and seeing what could be done to fix it.
"Your mom's a little scared right now. Remember those guys we were with for awhile in that church?"
He waited for Griffin to nod before continuing. "Well, those guys are trying to hurt our friends out there. And we have to try and stop them so that we can all be together again." He hoped the boy could understand what he was trying to say, and he knew if he gave the blatant truth Echo would skin him alive.
"They trying to hurt Aunt Octavea?" His pronunciation was still a bit off, but it was the best he'd given so far.
"Uh yea, that's right.." In truth Murphy could care less about Octavia in the moment. But if she was still alive and able to help in the fight then he would take it.
"Then I help fight too." Griffin looked down and picked up a nearby stick. His face serious, but all Emori could see was how cute he looked as she raised her eyebrows at Murphy, waiting to see how he handles this one.
"Woah, woah there little warrior." Murphy gave a nervous chuckle and lowered the boys hand. "The best way we get to help is by staying here with the others. In fact I have a special task just for you."
Griffin's eyes lit up and he smiled excited. Murphy looked over at Emori, "Emori is pretty defenseless over there working on that machine. I think she's going to need some protection."
"I can do it!" Griffin said proudly and then ran over and stood by Emori, taking his guard stance with his stick held high. Ready to poke an eye out.
Emori laughed with a "My hero" to Griffin as she glanced to Murphy who took a seat on her opposite side. "Who knew John Murphy had such a soft spot."
"Don't get used to it." Murphy told her flatly.
Night started to fall. Echo, Raven and Shaw had snuck back into the Valley. With almost all fighters at the stations, she knew that there wouldn't be many lingering around but they still needed to be cautious. They peeked through buildings until finding who she was looking for. Madi.
Echo had her suspicions from the beginning when first meeting her. And with how protective Clarke was over her she knew that there was more than met the eye about the girl. And now was the moment of truth.
Quietly stepping into the church she motioned Raven to watch their backs. As gently as she could she moved to Madi's sleeping form and quickly placed a hand over her mouth so she wouldn't scream and get them caught.
As quiet as she could Echo asked, "Are you the true Commander?"
The girl looked at her startled but managed a nod.
"Good. Get ready to prove it." Echo said preparing to lift her up but Raven came over and removed Echo's hand.
"Easy Echo. Hey, we're not here to hurt you." Raven told the girl as she sat up looking between them, confirming she knew why they were here.
"You think Wonkru will follow me into the gorge." Madi said more as a statement than a question.
After a silent moment of confirmation she looked at them expectantly. "What are you waiting for? Take off the collar before Clarke gets back."
Raven smirked at the girl and moved behind her to get to work, muttering a snide comment of "Safe to say she's not up for mother of the year."
She asked Shaw for some light and popped one of the panels off. Madi tilted her head to the side, "It's nice to finally meet you."
As she started inspecting the wires the doors opened and they all looked to see Clarke walk in, gun aimed right at Raven, and then Shaw.
"Get the hell away from her." Clarke told her in an even and serious tone.
"Hey Clarke.. Haven't seen you in six years, and this is how you say hello?" Raven replied as she stayed where she was, not wanting to risk hurting Madi with the wires she currently touching.
"Clarke these are your friends, put the gun down." Madi tried to talk her down standing up, Raven following as she continued to work.
Clarke hushed her and told Raven once more to back away from Madi, then motioned to Shaw to put their weapons down. Echo told them to do as she said and had them disarm. Clarke then grabbed Madi over to her, gun still pointed at the three as she started to back up.
"Sorry Clarke." Madi said before grabbing at her arm causing her to drop the gun. Echo rushed forward and tackled Clarke to the floor, before throwing some punches at her. Clarke was quick to kick her down and regain herself. Meanwhile Raven tried to finish up getting the collar off of Madi.
Echo and Clarke continued to trade blows until they ended up on the floor again and Echo was able to maneuver herself behind Clarke and got on her knees putting the girl in a chokehold and holding her there.
Once Madi was free she stepped forward and ordered Echo to stop. Echo tried to reason with her but Madi threatened not to leave with them if she didn't listen.
Echo was unhappy but didn't want to take the chance of losing their only hope so she released Clarke. Clarke took a moment to catch her breath, trying to tell Madi that she wasn't leaving.
That's when Echo noticed the Radio in her back pocket and pulled it out. "Her mic is open. We have to go. Now!"
Everyone was quick to gather their things but it was too late, as the doors on both ends of the building opened and McCreary along with some armed prisoners came strolling in, guns pointed at them all.
"Take our pilot and his girlfriend back to the ship." McCreary commanded as he moved forward. A few men came forward and grabbed Shaw and Raven. Raven tried to fight back but they overpowered her and shoved them out the door.
"Kill the spy." A man raised his gun at Echo's head.
"Wait." Clarke interjected, "We need to talk to her."
McCreary looked at Clarke then pointed at Madi. "What do they want from her?"
"I don't know." Clarke lied. "But if you kill Echo, we'll never find out."
McCreary thought it over a moment before grabbing his handgun, inspecting it, then smashing into Echo's head knocking her unconscious.