You sat with Kane as he talked with Octavia through the walkie-talkie. You figured that you had had your cry over Jessie and now you would avenge him by bringing down Pike.
“Pike’s detail is still at it. Soil and water samples,” Octavia stated before clicking off.
“Any idea what they’re up to?” Kane asked a look of worry etched into his features.
“No, but considering how heavily they’re armed, I don’t think they want anyone to find out,” She observed. “Crap..”
“What is it?” You asked in a hushed voice, Kane repeating it into the radio.
“There’s a Grounder kid. Hang on,” Octavia said.
“Octavia? Octavia, please respond!” Kane pleaded. “Octavia, you there?”
A moment of silence hushed over the room until the buzz of the radio vibrated. “They’re going after the kid. I’m trying to cut them off,” She responded. After a couple of minutes of waiting, she came through. “Kane?”
“I’m here. You okay?” He asked.
“You need to find out what Pike is up to. Right now. Whatever it is, they were willing to kill a kid to kept it quiet,” Octavia stated, a hint of anger in her voice.
“We’re on it. You stay safe.”
You had left Kane and Miller to handle placing the bug. Kane insisted on you staying out of this part because he didn’t want you to be there in case they were caught. You were already walking on thin ice with the Chancellor after you assaulted him, as Kane put it.
Thankfully, Kane let you sit in with Miller and him while they listened in to Pikes meeting.
“Okay, let’s get this meeting started. Welcome Farm Stations own Monty Green and factory girl Zoe Monroe as we begin our next crucial phase: expansion and salvation, and this will lead the way,” Pike started, making you shift in your seat.
“Dirt?” asked someone you assumed was Monroe.
“Soil. Fertile, arable soil. Vastly richer than anything we’ve found since landing. We’ll clear the trees and plant within the month,” Pike stated.
“We start with soybeans and corn. They grow the fastest,” Hannah added.
“What’s wrong Monty? You don’t like corn?” One of them teased.
“I’ve never had corn, actually,” Monty said matter-of-factly. “Is this where we’re going?”
“That’s right.”
“There’s a village here. What about the people who live there?” Monty asked, and you silently praised him for have a shred of decency to even so much as ask that question.
“Sector four. We talked about this. The people there are not a threat,” Bellamy stated coldly.
“We need that land. With the loss of Mt. Weather’s recourses, Arkadia will be starving in less than a year,” Pike informed.
“With all due respect sir, you still haven’t answered Monty’s question.”
“You know the answer. Every field must be cleared of stones before it’s tilled.”
You balled your hands into fists, trying to remain calm though your thoughts were flooded with angry thoughts and curses.
“We were spotted by a child so they’ll be expecting us, but they lost their fighters when we took out the army. We don’t expect resistance.”
“They’re Grounders. They’ll resist,” Monty stated firmly, and you nodded in agreement at his comment.
“Even if they don’t, the Commander’s message was clear. Blood must not have blood, that doesn’t mean we can start taking-“
“What would you prefer,” Pike interrupted. “Die fighting for your home or starve to death? Will you do what needs to be done for your people to survive or what?”
“We’ll do what needs to be done,” Bellamy answered. You shook your head in disappoint, your eyes finding the ground sadly.
You waited outside the cave for Octavia as she talked with Miller. You were going to stop this attack and stop this war because that’s what Jessie would’ve wanted.
You followed behind Octavia and Helios. Upon arriving at the village you raised your hands and repeated,” I mean you no harm.”
You dismounted and followed Octavia’s lead.
“Liar! I’ve seen your face. You were at the Battle of the Mountain. They’re Skaikru. Your guns killed our brothers and sisters. Warriors, sent by the commander to keep you safe,” Semet spat as they started circling you.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Octavia said, hands still raised.
“Hey! I-I know how you are feeling,” You started, making eye contact with Semet. “I loved one of your warriors. Jessie. I know how you feel because I feel the same.”
“We’re here to warn you that the soldiers who did that are coming here now. They want your land, and they will kill all of you to get it. You need to leave this place right now,” Octavia warned.
“Are you threatening us?” Semet asked, completely ignoring all that you had said and not understanding what Y'all were trying to do.
Not waiting for an answer, he knocked her leg out from underneath her with his cane before kicking her in the mouth. He went to bash her head in, but she rolled away. Octavia jerked the cane away from him and rose again, wielding it. She turned it on him like a spear but held up her hand. Meanwhile, you watched skeptically, and thankfully no one made a move on you.
“I’m trying to help,” Octavia said in their tongue.
“Why should we believe you?” Semet asked, followed by a little boy pushing his way through the crowd.
“Because she helped me, Semet,” He said.
“You’re the one who saved Gavriel?” He asked, the tension in his shoulders slowly falling.
Octavia wordlessly tossed him his cane.
“Don’t leave,” He demanded, before walking away.
Octavia panted and shared words with the little boy briefly, spitting up blood as he left.
You stood next to your horse silently, as the grounders discussed options out of earshot of you and O. Octavia was tending to Helios when the little boy returned. She let him pet the horse and smiled softly and scene.
“Gavriel, go pack your thinks. Go on,” Semet ushered as he made his way over. Once Gavriel was out of earshot, he continued,” His parents were warriors, both killed by Skaikru guns.”
“You decided to leave,” You said.
He nodded. “As you say, we’re no match for Skaikru.”
You nodded solemnly. “What you’re doing is as brave as going to battle, Semet,” You added.
Some men were shouting, causing you and Octavia to turn your attention to the noise. They were standing over wood and wiping goo off their hands. Octavia walked over and quickly put two and two together. They were wiping acid onto the wood to set it on fire.
“What is this?” She asked, your eyes darted to Semet in confusion.
“You think you know us? You two no nothing,” He stated.
Next thing you know a Grounder had blindfolded O and knocked her outside the head, knocking her out cold. Your eyes darted around frantically as big arms grabbed you, you struggled to no use. They had their arm wrapped around your neck in a choke hold and the next thing you knew, you were suffocating. You fell unconscious and they released their grip on you, letting you fall limply to the ground.
You woke up to noises and Octavia taking off the ropes that were tied around you. Quickly realizing what was happened, you jumped to your feet and raced over to your horse. You followed O around the ridge.
You watched as Bellamy led the rest of Skaikru into the village.
“Bellamy! Get them out of there! It’s a trap!” You shouted.
You watched as the grounders shot arrows onto the acid cover logs, releasing a smoke.
“The smoke is poison,” Octavia breathed.
Bellamy and the others started to fall back and go back to the rover, but Monroe was caught in the fog. You look down at your scared hand and shivered, the smoke reminding you of the searing paint the acid fog had caused you. Your breath hitched as you saw Monty go and get Monroe.
