Chapter 9
Clarke entered the airlock room with the cells holding the Vies. Raven was with her. They both knew that this discussion wouldn't take too long for Clarke. After she was done, Raven would stay behind and work with Vincent if he agreed to deliver a more powerful virus to give her more control over their computers. She also needed Vincent to work with Raven, maybe to find a reason for Raven to go back with someone to work on their tech. It was a thought, but Clarke also didn't want anyone going into the Mountain until she thought it was safe. It was another reason that she was hesitant to send Maya and her father back into the Mountain after giving them the serum.
She wasn't sure that they would be safe. She didn't trust Cage any farther than she could actually throw him. And, she knew that Dr. Tsing didn't exactly follow the Hippocratic Oath like she should. She wasn't afraid of doing harm, especially if it meant that she would be able to walk the ground without a HAZMAT suit. She was just as dangerous, if not more than Cage. She knew that as soon those that were "cured" were back in the Mountain, they would be subjected to testing. Clarke had to find a way to protect them from their own people. Tsing might not have the 100 or other Arkers to drill into, but she would have her own people. It was a risk, but it was also calculated. She could only hope that she was right when it came to getting Dante and the rest of the "rebels" on her side, and quickly, so they they could save as many of the Mountain Men as possible.
She stood just outside the airlocked room with Raven. She was glad that Raven was going in there with her this time. She needed the support.
"Hey, remember we'd pick each other first," Raven told her.
"Hell, yeah, we do," Clarke replied.
"I've got your back, Clarkey. Let's go get them on Team Clarke and tear down the Mountain, yeah?" Raven stated. "Sounds like it will be a party."
"With you, it will go boom and then light up the sky."
"So, yeah, one helluva a party," Raven said.
"With you, Raven, it is always a party."
"Damn right, it is," Raven replied. "Now, let's go make some more friends with the locals. I want to know what kinda tech I get to play with once we get to go inside. I mean it can't be worse than anything we have on the Ark, right?"
"It's dated, Rae, but I know that you can make is sing," Clarke told, laughing as she pushed Raven into the clean room.
They worked through the clean room and went to the door. Raven reached up and activated the door. Maya and her father looked up from where they sitting as Raven and Clarke came in. Clarke could see their surprise at someone else coming in with her, but she didn't address it. She needed to know if they were going to work with her or not. That was all she needed at the moment. Raven was there to help make sure it happened and to make sure that Clarke didn't snap on both of them if they didn't. Clarke wasn't stupid. She knew that Raven was there more for her than the tech in the Mountain.
"Hello, again," Clarke started as she sat down, with Raven following suit. "This is my friend and lead tech person, Raven Reyes. She wanted to talk to you both as well. She was hoping that you had both agreed to help me."
"It seems we really have no choice," Vincent stated.
"No, sir, you have a choice. I told you earlier that regardless of your choice that you would still get the serum. I will still make sure you get the cure, Mr. Vie. I will not deny that to you. But, without your help, others might not be so lucky," Clarke replied.
"So, you're saying that if we don't help you that you will refuse to treat the others?" Vincent questioned.
"No, I'm saying that it might take longer, and we both know that you people are running out of time because you are running out of savages to bleed. They've been working through the HAZMAT suits and the Reapers are being cured in a joint effort between my mother, myself, and the leader of the savages," Clarke said. "Which means it is only a matter of time before your friends in the Mountain start failing, if they haven't already. Which I think..."
"They are," Raven added. "We've already managed to hack into your computers and pulled the medical files. That is why Clarke knew to pull you both for treatment soon. We already knew that you were refusing treatment and only going when it was absolutely and medically necessary. I applaud you for that."
"So, how long do we have?" Maya asked.
"At the current rate of not being able to replenish those that you've already taken and bled dry, I would say less than three to four months, if you're lucky. Depending on who Cage decides to give the treatment to, it could last longer. He doesn't know that though. He knows that the Mountain is suffering, though. He found a plan to save you and now, he doesn't have that. He is quite unstable and I'm sure that you've noticed it getting worse," Clarke replied.
"We have," Vincent stated. "We just didn't know why. I assumed it was just because he wanted the power. I didn't know it was because the programs were failing. If I'd known that, I would have spoken up against his ideology and told them that it was nature's way. We survived underground when others didn't. Death wants its payment that it has been denied for almost a hundred years."
"Death doesn't want payment for you surviving, Vincent. Death wants payment for what Dr. Tsing and Cage have done to those that managed to survive on the surface. You see, while your ancestors were hiding in the ground because they were rich and thought that they were better than the rest of brethren, those savages were surviving in the radiation and adapting. They found ways to survive and live. They didn't hide in the ground and continue to think that they were the better people and they deserved the ground for themselves," Clarke started.
"Did you know that they have culture? That there are thirteen states among them with one supreme leader. They have their own government, language, religion. They are just as advanced as you are, but they don't use computer tech because they have no real need for it. They don't have power plants and massive pollution like before the bombs. They live and die but what they hunt, create, and gather from the Earth. The way our ancestors did many, many, many years ago. They are an awesome people, and yours want them to die for simply doing what your ancestors in the Mountain didn't. They survived."
"I believe that my wife realized this before we did," Vincent replied. "That is why we stopped taking the treatments as often."
"It is why I try to feed them and help them," Maya added.
"We know. Now, we need you to help more, because if you don't. You aren't just sentencing your fellow people to die from the radiation and such slowly seeping into the bunker. You have to know that Cage will turn on those who have the treatments. He'll use you against your own people. I'm offering your freedom. I will treat you. I will send you back, but then I will request and require that you come back with the next grouping," Clarke told them.
"Why would you do that?"
"I will need Maya to help my mother in medical to make sure that those that come to get the serum are comfortable and taken care. Having a familiar face with them will help keep them at ease while they get the cure. As for you, Vincent, we will need you to help maintain some equipment and to help make sure that we are getting the individuals that we are asking for. I am sure that you know all of those inside the Mountain. I mean your population is just over three hundred fifty, correct? I would hate for us to give the serum to someone before it is there time. That will be the real reason for your continued need to be here among those from the Ark, but the reason that I will give Cage and Dante is that we need your help in being ambassadors and helping the people learn to work with ours. You see most of your population will be joining ours and becoming part of our grouping," Clarke explained.
"And, if they don't join you?"
"Then, those savages will take them," Raven answered. "You have to understand two things, here. Clarke is trying to save as many people as she can, and that is why she is our leader. But, those savages outside our walls number in the thousands, they will outlive the bullets your guard will try to use. And, when they do, they will destroy everyone who doesn't join us. We are giving you freedom from the Mountain and the Wallaces tyranny. All we ask is that you follow our rules and find a way to intigrate into our society. We are similar enough that it shouldn't be hard. Each of our sections are readying to take you in."
"You'll just take us in?' Vincent asked.
"It is the offer I've made and one that the leader of those savages has agreed to. Those who join us, live. Those who don't, even with the serum, will be hunted and killed to pay for the blood that was taken. The choice is really yours," Clarke replied.
Raven and Clarke sat at the table and waited. Clarke wasn't going to play games this time. She needed answers and cooperation.
"We want to help you, but we don't think that we deserve the serum," Maya finally said breaking their silence as she held her father's hand.
"We know what Cage has been doing and we didn't stop it. We...I wasn't big enough or man enough to stop him. I just went along with it to protect Maya. I didn't know that she would end up working with Tsing and his projects. I wish that I hadn't helped him, but I did. I..."
"I know what you did Vincent. And, I know what you haven't done. I am the one that decides if you are worthy or not, and I've decided that you are worthy enough to take the serum," Clarke told them.
"How old are you?" Vincent asked her.
Raven laughed. She shook her head as Clarke looked at her. She muttered a "sorry" and looked properly admonished by Clarke. She couldn't help the smile that was still on her face, because she wasn't sure what answer that Clarke was going to give them. Raven wasn't even actually sure if Clarke knew how old she was because of all the lives that she lived trying to save Lexa. And, with Clarke knowing Raven and her quick wit, the blonde reached over and grabbed Raven's knee, hard. It was enough to keep the Latina mechanic quiet for a few more minutes.
"I'm sorry?" Clarke replied.
"You are really young to be in charge here. I think that I heard Cage say that. He thinks that you've done something to the adults of the Ark and he wants to overthrow them and get the serum for himself," Vincent stated.
"I'm sure he does. He can try, but he will die before he gets out of that airlock and that is where he will stay. He won't defeat me. Trust me on that one."
"He won't. And, he won't have to worry about just Clarke. He'll have to go through all of us first," Raven added.
"You talk a big game for teenagers," Vincent stated.
"We might be young, but all the adults here listen to us. You see Clarke managed to do things that helped us survive reentry to the ground. She showed us a better life than the one that we were living in space. And, now, she is willing to save your people when most of those savages, our lovely little Grounders, want you all dead. Now, I don't know about you, but when someone saves your ass, generally you say thank you," Raven quipped.
"Rae," Clarke scolded.
"What? It's true. I still owe you for Jaha, Finn, and the...uh...sending the dead weight to Mars," Raven replied.
"Yes, but we aren't talking about you. You are my friend and helped me do what needed to be done. Maya and Vincent need to believe and trust us or we've already lost the entire Mountain. I will not condemn over three hundred fifty men, women, and children to die a painful death of radiation poisoning just because their leader is a psychopath and narcissist," Clarke told her before turning back to Vincent. "Because we both know that Cage is really in control of the bunker, isn't he, Vincent?"
"Yes, he is."
"So, what is your answer?" Clarke pushed.
"If we agree and take the serum, who will call next?" Vincent asked.
"Who would you have me call?" Clarke probed.
Raven reached behind her and pulled out a tablet. She pulled up a roster of names from the Mountain. She started scrolling along it and then drew a stylus out of her pants. She placed both on the table and pushed them towards Vincent.
"To be honest, we need to know who is your little rebellion. They will be treated first and brought out her. I will also pull the children. The Guard will be last, and then I will decide if Cage or Tsing even get the treatment," Clarke stated. "In the end, it won't matter. Cage will be going back tomorrow without the treatment. You will still be here. Sgt. Eric Lovejoy will be given the option as well. I'm sure when we throw his family in it that he'll side with us. Don't you?"
"You'll need to get Emmerson first," Maya told her.
"Carl Emmerson?"
"Yes, he is Cage's second in command. He's family is his whole world. He'll turn to protect them. He's following Cage because Cage promised him the ground and to be his general. But, I think that Carl is shaken by the whole situation that the..."
"Grounders?" Clarke supplied.
"Yes, that the Grounders have created. The fact that your people hacked our systems and we only have visuals on what you want us to have, has them all on edge. The Guard is waiting for Cage to give the order to assault you or the...sava...groun...Grounders. They can all see that it is only a matter of time before Cage completely snaps," Maya explained. "And, Eric isn't a bad man. He is the one that helps me feed the people we have inside the cages. He is one of the better ones, but he still follows Emmerson. If you can get Carl on your side, then you'll have Lovejoy no issues."
"And, if I get Lovejoy?" Clarke asked her.
"Eric and Carl are best buddies and they love their families. They will do anything for them. If you get Carl, you'll get Lovejoy. They'll do whatever you need them to do. Lovejoy rebels in his own little ways, but he doesn't do overt things in order to get caught. He had the cameras looped in the medical wing for me. He knows when to run the loop for those in the control room. He also has access to places that Dad can't get. You'll need them, too," Maya answered.
"Good to know. So, they are higher on the list. And, the two other women that came with you," Clarke inquired before picking up the tablet again and looking at the names. "Um...Sara and Gail. Do you think that they will work with us or against us?"
"I don't honestly know them well enough to know. Neither of them are in our little group to take the transfusions as little as possible. I know one of the works in the kitchens and possibly the farms. The other works with the water treatment. I think she mainly tests the radiation levels coming off the water from the dam. Without Philpot Dam, we would have no power. The dam supplies our power, but it also is used to filter the water before it is purified inside the bunker facilities. I don't know how they do it, but she is one of the ones that always checks it," Vincent told them. "She comes to me sometimes for some tools and such to fix things, but only water treatment people and those who work the dam are allowed in there."
"And, the Guard," Maya added.
"Why the Guard?" Raven asked, and Clarke knew that she was making mental notes.
"Because they are going and coming through the tunnels there."
"Tunnels? Do you have a map of these tunnels?" Clarke pushed.
"I don't, no, but the Guard does. They have to learn them. They use them for various missions outside of the Mountain," Maya stated. "But, lately, they haven't been using them as much because of the lack of suits. Most the tunnels being used have the been the ones under the medical wing for the Grounders and the Reapers to catch them. The dam ones are only checked to make sure that some Grounders haven't found them and to go replace the cameras in that area. I haven't had to treat anyone that has been in those tunnels in months, though," Maya told her.
"But, we are very low on cameras, so Dante had us keep to those around the main entrance and some of the main escape tunnels," Vincent added.
"Good to know, we will get the information from the others then," Clarke stated. "Have you agreed to help us, then? Is that why you are giving me information that will help me basically end the reaping and your little inground society?"
"We are," Maya said proudly.
"We will help you, Clarke Griffin," Vincent stated. "It isn't because of your reasons though. I want you to tell the leader of the...the Grounders, that I am helping to appease my own conscience and to pay back for what I've taken from them. When it is all over and you fully control the Mountain, I am sure that some of our people will pay. I only ask that you give me a fair sentence and count me among them."
"Father, no," Maya demanded.
"Your life will not be forfeit, Mr. Vie. I still have need of you. But, you better believe that you are going to work and hard to repay the debt that you owe," Clarke told him. "I will however pass along your words to their leader. I'm sure that she will feel better about my decision to help your people with your words. I tend to see the good in people. She couldn't in her position, but she is starting to see things my way."
"Thank you for helping us," Maya added.
"Thank you for helping me," Clarke replied. "My mother will be here soon to give you the first does of the serum. If you need anything, like food, a book, or some more blankets, just let the guards know and I'll get it for you. But, while you are here, please review the names on that and let us know who to trust and who not. I want to start with families with children. As soon as the children are treated, we will move to the other adults."
"We'll do it," Vincent agreed. "Thank you. And, whatever you need from me, just ask. I'll do it. I'll go back inside, but keep Maya here."
Clarke just nodded. She and Raven both stood. She gave them a weak smile.
"I'll be back in the morning to speak with you again. Rest and let the serum do its work. You both have a long road in front of you. Good day," Clarke said.
She left the airlock. Raven was just behind her. Once they were back in the sunlight, Raven grabbed her arm and pulled her back into a fierce hug. They both felt Lexa beside them, curious as to why they were embracing.
"Go back to your quarters and hide until dinner. I'll take care of the Sprite. After dinner, come stay out there with us. You need some time with your mini me and to be a little family. I'll take care of Arcadia tonight. Let O and the rest handle everything else outside of the wire."
"And, the Mountain?" Lexa inquired.
"I've got them on a lock down they don't even know about. I've got Damon and Sinclair on it. I'll get you if I need you," Raven replied. "Now, go take your woman, love on her and both of you rest. Cage is going to make things difficult and we both know it. I need you both ready and willing to gut him like a fish."
"I will do that without need for rest," Lexa answered.
"She's cute, Clarke. Keep her happy and close," Raven responded with a laugh. "Now, go on kids and don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"I plan on it, but honestly, Raven, that list is very small," Clarke teased back as she grabbed Lexa's hand and led her away before Raven could respond, again.