Chapter 15
Lexa and Octavia stood outside the tent. They could hear Clarke pacing. The guards had moved just enough to give her room to vent and not be overheard, but they were still close enough to keep anyone else from entering and disturbing her.
"What did she say to you?" Lexa asked, staring at the tent flaps.
"She needs to camp away from here. She needs a break. She needs to forget everything for awhile," Octavia told her.
"I would give her that and more if I could," Lexa answered.
"She knows that, and that is why she is pacing. She knows what needs to be done and that we are on a time table. She needs exile to be free, but she knows that she can't have that yet."
"And, what do you propose?"
"You aren't going to like it," Octavia stated.
"Tell me, Oktevia," Lexa demanded.
"Send her to Floukru with Luna and Echo after we fell the Mountain. Send her guards as well, if you must, but give her time away to process things...without you. We will continue the fight against Sangedakru, if that is their fate. Use Anya, Indra, and the other generals to plan it though. Let Clarke sit that one out. It is an unknown to her."
"Send her to the sea?" Lexa asked.
"It is rejuvenating and calming. She needs that. We all need that, but life and war keeps getting in the way," Octavia replied. "And, truth be told, Lexa, I don't know how many more rebirths she can handle before she's kokenhedhakness." (literally crazy head sickness = insane)
Lexa smarted at the words. She knew that Octavia didn't say them lightly, either. Lexa could tell that Clarke was battle weary, and they honestly had fought in any true battles yet. She could remember the look in Clarke's eyes during the fighting at Belle against the Sangedakru "Rebels." Clarke was in a trance, almost like she'd just zoned out and let her body do what it wanted as she defeated the gona. And, afterwards in the hut with Echo, Lexa realized how much she cared for the younger blonde. They shared a moment, with Echo, but there was something more to it. It wasn't just love that she was feeling coming from Clarke. There was this sense of relief and calm. She had been glad that Echo was there with her. And, she realized that she needed Echo closer to her and Clarke. She couldn't let the Royal Guard be that far away again. It had been needed for the mission to Azgeda, but now she needed her here, for Clarke. Lexa didn't question their relationship. Octavia didn't either, but she knew other Skaikru might. Sensibilities be damned at the moment, Clarke was more important. And, just because she was trying to save Man.
"Find Tris. Send her to TonDC as fast as possible. Tell her to bring some of the refugees back with her. A small contingent, no more than five."
"What should we tell Indra?" Octavia asked.
"The truth," Lexa answered. "She'll understand. Do you think that we can leave your brother there with Guard Miller to be in charge of the Arkers?"
"Yeah, for now he isn't being stupid. He knows that we need each other to survive, but Wells would be better. He seems to have a better rapport with Indra and her people. He tried harder, too. Dax, Echo, Callie, Wick, and someone else should come back."
"I understand Dax and Echo, but who is this Callie and Wick you ask for?" Lexa questioned.
"Callie is Clarke's Ani and Abby's best friend. She is also a member of the Guard and the Comms Officer. She'll help monitor the radio and help Raven with that. She'll also keep a little bit better rein on Byrne, too. They are not quiet equals in rank, but Callie has more responsibility than Byrne. In fact, Kane is technically the head of the Guard, but he hasn't named a new commander."
"A new commander?"
"Yes, that is our highest rank in the Guard. Byrne is technically one of the second in command. We made sure to kill our last Commander. He wasn't...Earth material. I believe that Clarke called for her death, quickly. He was one of the ones that hurt us while we were in the Skybox. I'm sure that you would have put him on Tree as soon as you knew who he was. In this life, he didn't have time to terrorize anyone," Octavia explained.
"Did he ever make it to the Ground?"
"A few times, but he mostly died before Arkfall."
"Then, we shall not miss him," Lexa decreed.
"Exactly," Octavia added.
"I agree with your selections. Send Tris, but remind her to tell Echo to change. She has to be Skaikru to be here. And, if she wishes, she can use the name of Ash Moroz," Lexa stated.
"Moroz?"
"It means Frost in Azgedasleng. She'll understand and appreciate it. Go quickly and come back as soon as Tris and friends leave," Lexa commanded.
"Sha, Heda," Octavia replied and ran off.
Lexa knew as soon as she came back that she'd have to send her to Abby. They had to maintain Octavia's red blood so she could go into the Mountain. She would have to go back to TonDC to be infected as well. Time was working against them, and she knew it was mostly because of the Mountain and Sangeda. Praimfaya always going to be a problem for them. And, that was their ultimate goal. Survival of Man, but they had a long road and less than six months to get there. Lexa could only hope that they were doing the right things in this life. Clarke needed it and was depeneding on it.
"Tris!" Octavia shouted as she neared the Wanheda guards.
The little sandy-blond teen looked up from where she was sitting. She jumped up and ran to Octavia. She knew that she had a mission just by looking at the slightly older girl's demeanor.
"You need to get to TonDC as fast as you can. Take a horse from the army if you need to. From there, you will relay a message to Echo and Indra. You will gather who you are told to and return them here," Octavia told her.
"Sha, Skairipa."
Octavia rolled her eyes. She knew that Tris had only heard that from Anya or Echo. She smiled at the teen.
"Tell Indra to keep up her patrols and maintain the Arkers that are staying for now."
"Sha."
"Tell Ekou to bring back the following Arkers with her: Dax, Kali, en Wik. Wels en Gona Mila are to lead the Arkers until we can et them to Arkadia safely. This is a stealth mission. Ekou will take the name of Ash Moroz for this and will be an Arker. Make sure she knows that. Have those with her call her Ash only."
"Sha."
"Get back her as fast as you can. Again, use horses, but leave them at the perimeter and walk here. Have someone radio Raivon so we can get you in. You have ten minutes to select two to go with you. Meet me at Raivons. Hurry."
"Sha, Skairipa," the teen answered and ran off.
Octavia stood there for a moment. She closed her eyes and hoped that they would be back before nightfall. She looked up to the sky and hoped that Keryon was on their side. She needed Echo, too. She didn't know why or what it was about the spy and assassin, but she kept them calm. Maybe it was because of the training that Echo had to endure. She didn't stress that often. She was very stoic, like Lexa, but she was always plotting, too.
"Dodging me isn't good for your blood," Abby said as she came up behind her.
"I'm not dodging you, Abby. I promise I was on my way to you. I just needed to relay some orders first," Octavia answered.
"Going somewhere?"
"Me? No. Tris? Yes."
"Ah, so they are orders from Lexa and not Clarke," Abby assertained.
"Yup."
"Anything I need to be worried about?"
"Just Clarke and her mental state," Octavia quipped.
"She's tired and making big decisions, Octavia. Give her the room to do so. I know that she'll surprise all of us. Honestly, you all have as you've been taking care of us in this life. You most of all have surprised me in your generosity towards Kane," Abby told her.
"He has always been my father whether either of us knew it or not. He always has a soft spot for Bellamy. My mother seeking comfort with him was not all that surprising with what I witnessed in other lives. It was purely for survival. I cannot blame her for that. She used what she had to protect me. Kane is a man and men tend to think with their dicks. But, I can say that he stepped up in this life. In others, not so much. He can be a good man, Abby. I know why you drifted towards him in past lives. And, Clarke doesn't hate him, so that's a plus for you," Octavia explained. "But, he also knows that he isn't going to be called 'Dad' or any other iteration of the sentiment. He was essentially a sperm donor. We both understand that. He helped keep me alive, but that doesn't give him the right to parent me."
"I never said it did," Abby replied.
"Good, because I am and always will be a Blake."
"Understood," Abby said.
"That doesn't mean that I won't go to him, though, either. We have a strained relationship, but that isn't because of him. It is because of me. I lived under the floor too many times to welcome him so quickly. He proves himself a little more each life, but that doesn't mean that I am just going to back down to him."
"He would never want that," Abby told her.
"Oh, he will. He's paternal side will come out soon enough and he'll tried to forbid me and Clarke to do what needs to be done. He doesn't know what we do, Abs. And, while he is a good man, don't make me tell him the truth about it all," Octavia demanded.
"The truth of it all?"
"He maybe Chancellor or a Councilor, but Clarke and I are in charge," Octavia stated.
"Heard that a few times myself, I'm sure."
"You have."
"Skairipa?" Tris asked as she neared.
"Ready to go."
"Yes."
"Remember your messages?"
"Yes," Tris answered.
"Good, let's go," Octavia told her as she reached out for the younger teen's shoulder. "I'll be in Medical soon. Let me get her out of her and tell Lexa first. You're my next stop, Abby. I promise. We also need to isolate me soon."
"I know. We'll work on that, too. I have a plan that I want to do. I need to talk to Clarke about it first," Abby added.
"Talk to Lexa. She'll give it to Clarke. For now, we let her rest and stay calm."
Abby nodded. Octavia knew that she got the hint. She turned with Tris in tow and went inside Raven's tent to get the mechanic, so Tris could escape the wire and get to TonDC. She would also give Raven and update on things. And, then she really, really needed to get to medical after reporting to Lexa.
Abby went back to medical. She had been compiling charts and an inventory. She remembered some of what the Mountain had, but she knew that she might not be able to take much from it. It all depended on two men. One of which didn't know that he was a prisoner in the Ark. She doubted that Clarke would let him go now that she had him. It really wouldn't make sense to give him that sort of power back, but she knew that Clarke was worried how Dante would react. He was a bit of loose cannon, but at least he wasn't a sadistic psycho like his son and doctor.
And, then there was Dr. Tsing. Abby loathed her and was amazed by her at the same time. Tsing was brilliant, but she was also deadly. She broke the Hippocratic Oath so much that Abby wondered if she taught it as a guideline to her pupils. Doctors were supposed to help people. Do no harm. But, Tsing had teamed with Cage and did a lot of harm.
Clarke had gotten Raven to raid the files on Cage's Cerberus Project, so that Abby could review the files. It was monstrous, but helpful information. Abby felt for the men and women that were subjected to the Red Serum. It wasn't a lethal cocktail on its own but severely addictive. Without treatment or a hit, the Ripas would convulse and die. They became so dependent on it from just one small dose that Abby was appalled.
Thanks to the formulations in the files, Abby had Jackson and Winters working on basically an anti-serum. They were working with the Grounders to gather things that would help with fever, chills, and other withdrawal symptoms. It wasn't fool-proof, but it was a start. She also had Raven covert some of the shock sticks for her so they could use them as a defibrillator. Jackson and Abby even designed a holding cell of sorts for them. Currently it held two ripas that Indra's scouts had managed to capture. Abby was happy with their progress and planned on releasing them as soon as they spoke with Lexa and Clarke.
Abby might not understand the power of Wanheda completely, but she'd seen what her daughter could do and the inspiration that she caused. She knew that kind words from Clarke would bolster their resolve. She might even use them personally. So far, they only had five that had survived the complete treatment. They were camping south of Arkadia. They mostly hunted and supplied fresh meat to the Arkers. Abby hadn't asked why and Clarke didn't completely discourgage them, either. Lexa just let them be. Which Abby found odd, but she knew that Echo and Octavia went to them the most. Perhaps, Luna would go as well as soon as she was back. Until then, they stayed there. A small beacon of protection for Wanheda and given provisions to her people. Abby didn't need to understand it to be thankful.
Those five refused to leave the area but wouldn't come back into the fence. They were satisfied in their camp. There was never any mention of them going back to their clans or people. Being thought lost for a long period of time and mourned must hurt them, but she couldn't imagine that was all. She was afraid that the men there suffered from PTSD so severely that they might never go home. Surviving Clarke would give them meaning and possibly a reason to live. She wondered how many Clarke would save in the bunkers, or if Lexa would allow them because of their history as ripas. Their fate was still undecided.
"You worry for them?" Octavia asked as she came up behind Abby.
"I do."
"Why?"
"They are still men, Octavia. They were sick. They fought a battle in their mind that the drug won. The shouldn't be shunned for that," Abby stated.
"They aren't being shunned, Abby. They are afraid to go home. They fear their families."
"Why?" Abby questioned.
"Because they were ripa. They killed their brethren. They helped aid the Mountain just for another fix of Red. They don't feel worthy to be alive, Abs."
"Oh," Abby replied as she looked at them. Turning, she looked at Octavia and realized, "They've sworn themselves to Wanheda, haven't they?"
"Yes," Octavia answered.
"They will only fight for her."
"Yes."
"They will ask for the most dangerous missions?"
"Yes."
"And, they will die in hopes that it will atone for their perceived sins?"
"Yes."
"And, Clarke is okay with this?"
"Absolutely not," Octavia replied. "She's tried to send them home, but they won't go. Lexa's orders mean nothing to them now. They hunt meat to provide for Wanheda and her people, but they save none for themselves. They detest the taste of meat now."
"Understandable considering," Abby replied. "Are they getting enough protein and nutrients though?"
"Clarke sends one of us to talk to them regularly, if not herself. They really only listen to me, Raven, or Echo. They know that we are the closest to Clarke and not Lexa. Anya and Luna are too close to Lexa to be believed in their minds. They know that I am skairipa."
"What about Echo though?" Abby questioned.
"They know that she is from Lexa's Royal Guard. They also have heard from others that Clarke calls on her in the middle of the night," Octavia started to tell her. "They know that it isn't Echo she calls for to calm her dreams and fears. It is Ash kom Az, Wanheda's champion and chosen."
Abby's eyes lit up. She knew that Echo and Clarke had been close in other lives, but to hear something so profound come from Octavia's lips made Abby pay attention. Clarke closed herself off after her Father's death, and Abby couldn't blame her. Watching her with Echo, she allowed her closer than Lexa sometimes. Lexa didn't seem to be bothered by this, either. There was a love between them that Abby wasn't sure that she understood. Or, maybe she did.
"You sent for Echo, didn't you?"
"Yes, I did," Octavia stated.
"Good," Abby replied. "Make sure that gona kom Wanheda are getting enough to eat. If they need anything, have them send one to me for it. No matter what it is. If they've sworn their lives to her, then as her mother, it is my prerogative to take care of them. Let them know that, too."
"I will, Abby," Octavia replied and gave her a smile.
"Come on. We'll go to my office so I can check you. You might need another transfusion soon."
"I understand," Octavia replied.
They went to Abby's office. Octavia sat down on the couch, not the couch. She started pulling off her shirt, so Abby could have better access to her veins. Abby sat down beside her and began to draw her blood. It was a dark rich red color.
"It's darker," Octavia stated.
"I was hoping that this wouldn't happen. You'll have to have another transfusion. And, if you don't go in soon, may be another."
"I need to be put with the sick child, soon, as well," Octavia added. "Have you developed a vaccine for it?"
"No, but we are working on it. She's safe in her own little ward. Clarke has only allowed a few to go see her and mostly Trikru gona that are on the Guard."
"That is because they've already had it and won't spread it. She makes them bathe thoroughly once they've seen her. How is her mother holding up in there with her? Is she comfortable?"
"She is. She has been fascinated by the movies that Clarke showed her how to access on a tablet. She knows that she can get anything she wants, too. They've been asking for ice more than anything, surprised to see it so late in the season, I assume."
"Probably," Octavia stated.
"Octavia?"
"Hmm?"
"Will anyone die from this virus?"
"No, they shouldn't. The Trikru use it to thin the herd. It doesn't kill. It just make the people lame for a while. While they are lame, we will take the Mountain. You'll do what you need to do and the people will be saved. Those that should die will die."
"The children will show symptoms first," Abby mused.
"Yes, and I'll push to get them out, saying that you have the cure."
"This is how we save as many as we can and defeat them without too many being killed," Abby stated. "I know that Clarke didn't come to this lightly. She values life. I know you do as well, Octavia. I know that we are doing everything that we can to save as many as we can."
"We are," Octavia replied.
"Rest. Eat dinner. Take care of Clarke. We'll wait until tomorrow for another transfusion. I'll call for a few donors tonight to make sure that we have clean blood for you. I know Clarke would be the first to help, but she can't this time," Abby said.
"It is going to hurt her, but she understands. We will fix this, Abby. Take care of them. I'll be back later."
Abby just nodded and let her go. Octavia stood up and redressed quickly. Abby knew that she had to report back to Lexa or Raven. She just hoped that whatever was going on, Clarke would make it through it without having to run away. Bad things tended to happen when Clarke wasn't in Arkadia to stop them.
And, they honestly didn't have time for that. She looked at the calendar on her computer. "Six months. We have six months. Will it be enough?"
"It has to be, Abby," Octavia answered and left.
