Chapter Text
After the night had finally taken over completely, Clarke set the plan into action. Monty pulled out his tablet and began working his magic. The blonde hand picked six Trikru warriors that Lincoln and Octavia would be leading, giving them enough for two at each guard tower. She explained to them the plan again, “I picked you all from Trikru knowing that each of you are more adept at climbing than those of the other clans. Octavia and Lincoln will guide you in this mission. Avoid the spotlights at all costs. If they see you, they will shoot. The task at hand is to incapacitate and disarm the guards. Toss the fayagons (guns) over the edge on the outside of the fence. They will be collected before Skaikru can retrieve them so do not fret.”
“Why not shut down the power to the spotlights as well if we are already going to disable the electric fence?” Kane suggested, stepping forward, glancing between Monty and Clarke.
“While that would save my warriors from the possibility of getting spotted, that would kick Skaikru into high alert making any further advancements even more difficult.” The blonde was impassive as she spoke to the possible future sky leader. “Markus, I have faith in my warriors. Octavia and Lincoln’s battalion are those of Heda’s clan. They have spent their lives training to be hidden. They have spent their lives training to be the hardest to detect.” The grounders behind Octavia and Lincoln hit their chest like drums as they acknowledged Clarke’s words, honored to be trusted by the Commander of Death herself.
“She makes a good point.” Raven smirked, arms folded in front of her while she leaned against the tree to take pressure off her knee. Of course the bird had faith in her best friend. The blonde had already fought a war, set the plan into motion at the mountain, and successfully revealed the Commander’s greatest enemy.
Clarke took a deep breath. “After, lay low. Wait until Anya and I come out of the Ark. I will relay the information to the new leader of Skaikru that we are here to get them into the Coalition. If all goes well, we will retreat and come back to camp and wait until morning before I meet with their leaders.” She then turned to the entire camp, signaling for the group to move to still be able to see her. The Skaikru quintet stood at the front. “We as a battalion march upon Skaikru’s camp tomorrow after I ensure that it is safe for all of you. None of you will be dying from a fayagon. (Gun)” She growled. “You all have great experience in combat and I will be damned if that is wasted because of them.” She raised her chin as she watched the warriors murmur and grunt their support and appreciation. She was taking precautions to save them from weapons that were not of their world and they were grateful.
“Once inside, my friends,” She gestured to Monty, Harper, and Raven, “will guide general Anya and myself through the vent system so we run into as little trouble as possible.” She glanced at the general.
Anya nodded and stepped forward, taking over for the blonde. “Lang will be leading a separate group to collect the fayagons that are discarded on the other side of the gates. We’d also like Octavia’s group to carry bows, you are the last line of defense if any of the remaining Skaikru are carrying fayagons on them.”
“I also have a plan for if that goes awry. You are not perfect and it would be unfair of me to ask you to be. If you cannot take a shot in time, do not fret but if you see an opening on the person who poses a threat, take it. These shots are not meant to be fatal. Aim to disarm or injure if you must.” The blonde said, her voice even. “We are here to make peace, not shed blood.” She could hear murmurs of ‘sha, wanheda’ echo throughout the camp.
Abby furrowed her brows. “Clarke, you can’t hurt them.”
Clarke glanced over at her mother unamused. “I will and my warriors will if Skaikru threatens the life of anyone in this battalion. If one of my warriors shoots one of yours, they are saving your camp. I am Hedakru and Onya is the general of Heda’s army. If either of us are hurt by your people, it is a war crime and Heda will not hesitate to decimate the camp. If either of my warriors fall in this confrontation, I will be demanding that debt be repaid in blood.” Jus drein, jus daun. The blonde said darkly, repeating her lover’s words in her mind while her eyes pulsed, glaring at her mother. Abby was so wishy washy, it made her angry. One moment she is better, accepting the way her daughter is and the way the world has to be, then in another, she loses all of the progress and regresses to a doctor who should never be in a leadership position anywhere aside from an operating room. After she watched her mother for a moment to make sure she had no other objections, her gaze returned to the general and she gave her a curt nod.
Anya returned it and took charge once again. “You are all to stand along the tree line while Wanheda and I are in the camp. Lang will be close enough to know if anything happens within. He will signal to all of you if something goes awry.”
“Sha, general.” The warriors responded. She then looked back at the sky girl who had an impassive look on her face.
“If something goes wrong,” Clarke’s eyes scanned the battalion, her heart thundered in her ears. “A messenger is to immediately go to Polis and alert Heda. Lang will take charge if Anya and I are not here. I have explained the plan to him and he will ensure all of your safety should it come to that. I don’t expect it to but I will always have a back up plan to ensure that you can go home to your families.” She could see something flash through multiple faces, not that she tried to decipher it.
After confirming with Monty and Raven that the electric fence was down, Clarke and Anya were low to the ground as they skittered across the field. Octavia and Lincoln’s team followed before splitting off to the guard towers. Crisscrossing away from the spotlight, the blonde led Anya towards the back of the Ark.
Raven had told her there was a hole in the fence that the 100 made to sometimes escape the camp. They were practically prisoners under Pike’s reign and who knows who could’ve stepped up to take the mantle.
They came up to the breached fence to find a guard patrolling it. Clarke glanced at the general, giving her a nod which was reciprocated as she silently climbed through the fence. Anya was quick to grab him from behind, arm making its way around his neck with force as her hand flew over his mouth to keep him silent.
Clarke was quick to follow, waiting a few moments until the guard stopped moving as he struggled against the general. The older woman let go after incapacitating him, lowering him to the ground to stop any noises that would alert skaikru of their presence.
Raven had told her about a loose metal panel behind the ark that would serve to be their easiest way in. The contraption in their ears crackles and the general jumps slightly as the little bird’s voice comes through as if she were right next to them.
“There’s only one screw holding it in place. Once you pry it from its spot, it’ll swing to the left. This will bring you to the sky box.”
“Sky people and their gadgets.” Anya mutters behind the blonde.
Clarke would’ve been amused if they weren’t on a mission. She pressed her finger to the piece, whispering a quick thanks to her friend before moving to the Ark; the general following close behind while dragging the guard’s body with her.
It took her a moment but she found the panel. Unsheathing her dagger, she used the tip to pop it out of place. Glancing at the older woman, she cocked her head as she looked left and right. While Anya was squeezing into the Ark and pulling the unconscious sky guard with her, the blonde kept a look out for anything unforeseen. It was then that she saw Lang with two others skittering across the field on the other side of the fence, carrying the guns they collected from the towers. She would have laughed, seeing such huge warriors carry guns awkwardly as they lay low but she stopped herself. He stopped for a moment, locking eyes with her before bowing and giving her a sharp nod.
Anya was in awe as they stepped in, dropping the guard to the ground with a thud. Her eyes were captured by the sketches spread all over the wall. Clarke looked at the room impassively, bile rising in her throat as she clenched her jaw. “This is where I spent 11 months of my life. Solitary confinement.”
The general glanced at her, a questioning look. The blonde continued, “it was my punishment for helping my dad. Solitary confinement means I was locked in this room with no interaction with anyone. No one could visit. I had no one to talk to. The guards delivered food wordlessly. All I had was my sketchbook, pencil, and some chalk.” An anger grew in Anya’s chest as she listened. How inhumane. She thought. And for a moment, she wondered if it may be ironic. She supposed it could be said that their punishments and execution methods were inhumane to a sky person.
Clarke’s brows furrowed ever so slightly as she felt a nagging itch at her throat and a searing pain in her side. Her hand came down, gripping at the leather covering the right side of her abdomen.
“Klark?” Anya looks at her, her brows creasing in concern. She watched the blonde’s movements closely, eyes scanning for anything she would have to report back to her commander.
The itch in her throat became too strong to ignore as she coughed into her hand. Her gaze stared at the red substance that splattered onto her gloves. Her eyes did not linger long knowing that her houmon must have told Anya to report everything. She didn’t want her brunette to worry so she was quick to swipe her hands against her pants before nodding for the general to continue. She would worry about herself later.
Anya’s jaw clenched but followed the blonde’s silent command. Her eyes broke through the small window of the door, darting left to right making sure that the coast was clear. When she gave the signal, Clarke stepped forward and tapped against the electronic pad a few times. A moment passed before the door hissed open. As they stepped out, the tech in their ears crackled again.
“Griffin, find my room, it’ll be your easiest way into the vent system. Down the hall, take a left and take the second right.”
Clarke silently acknowledged the little bird in her ear as they kept themselves low to the ground, continuing forward. “Your friend. ... You put much faith in her.” She heard the general say, more of a statement than a question. She simply nodded. “Raven is smart, cunning, and strong. She challenges what she believes is wrong and nothing can keep her down.” Her voice was quiet as they snuck down the corridor.
The girl’s words took residence in her mind as she thought of the intriguing brunette. She has seen how dedicated the bird could be when it came to Clarke, how deeply she cared as a friend.
They found their target soon enough and Clarke all but had to pop the vent out of place for it to swing open. Since the last time Monty had been in the vents, they never re-bolted the vent shut. The blonde’s eyes landed on the general, “You can stay here if you’d like. It won’t take me long. The vents can be very tight, all incasing.”
Something flashed in Anya’s eyes as they ironed with resolve that wouldn’t be broken from the cruelest of tortures. “I told you and Heda that I’d be with you every step of the way.” She watched as the girl nodded and began climbing up into the vent. Anya followed ungracefully, never having done this in her life before.
Once they were up, the blonde pressed the earpiece, the crackle making her grimace ever so slightly. “Lead the way, Rae.”
The general couldn’t keep track of all the twists and turns they made in the labyrinth that was the vents. It reminded her of the underground tunnels in a way. Sweat began to seep from their pores as the heat and exertion got to them.
“Almost there. Just up ahead.”
The two finally got to their destination. Clarke was the first one down after breaking the vent open without a care in the world. The two of them landed on their feet in silence as if sound was terrified of them. Purple eyes find purchase against determined hazel ones as she opened and dropped her leather bag on the floor. “You know what to do.” Anya gave her a nod full of deference, she didn’t know when it came to be but she began to trust the blonde with her life. Maybe it was because Clarke had saved her. Perhaps it was because of the relationship that intertwined her to her seken.
Rummaging around the armory, it took about fifteen minutes to finish their part of the plan. A good chunk of that time was Clarke showing the general just what to do seeing as to how she had never held skaikru tech before. Once her pack was full, she double checked everything to make sure that they had taken every last single item that could be a threat to her warriors lives. With one last locker, Clarke’s eyes remained on the items for just a moment. “Anya. Strip your chestplate.” Her voice was obsolete, not cold, but firm and commanding.
Anya raised a brow, wanting to ask why before she made a move to do so but she refrained. As she said before, she trusted the blonde. So one hand reached behind her with practiced ease from years of use and repetition, the buckles were undone in an instant as she now stood bare in front of the chief minus her thin tunic.
Clarke turned to the general, she watched as hazel eyes scanned the item in her hands before locking eyes with her. She saw a firm nod and that was all she needed as she pulled the vest over Anya, buckling it into place and tightening it as needed. After she was finished, she unbuckled her own chestplate and mirrored exactly what she had done for Anya, for herself. She drew in a deep breath as she locked eyes with her general. The two ironed their gaze, taking a moment in the silence for themselves.
Emerald eyes flashed through her mind and for a moment, she pondered if Lexa thought it was a good idea. She wondered if she had been anyone else if the Commander would have scolded her about this being a bad idea. Perhaps she would have called her a branwada. Her eyes locked on the general’s once again. The dirty blonde gave her a firm nod. She reciprocated it before her hand shot to her ear. “Raven.”
“He’s here.”
The blonde’s teeth ground together if just for a moment. “Lang. You know what to do.”
“Sha, Wanheda. It will be done.”
Octavia’s crew effortlessly climbed the metal towers. Even though the metal lacked grip, it was much easier to find purchase around metal bars than brute strength upon trees. Lincoln was beside her as they waited for the guards to turn inward to the camp before they pulled themselves up. Each of them wrapped their arms around the guards’ necks with their hands over their mouths to silence any sound they might make.
Octavia could feel as the strength of the guard in her arms lessened, feeling his body grow heavier and heavier as his movements ceased. Lincoln lowered his guard to the ground with hers as she took the rifles, unclipped the magazine and clocked it. Making sure there were no live rounds in the guns, she tossed them over the edge for Lang’s party to collect.
Her eyes scanned the other towers, slowly watching as the spotlights stopped turning and spinning across the field as her crusade made it to their destinations. Octavia was the first to turn her tower’s spotlight to the sky and just like dominoes, her team followed one by one, the surrounding field being swallowed into darkness with only the lights within the camp on. She locked eyes with her lover and gave him a firm nod, Lincoln reciprocated it as he pulled the bow from his shoulder and notched an arrow in place, ready to fire at any given moment once his general and Chief were out of the metal tin can.
Octavia’s eyes narrowed as she watched her other warriors upon the other towers also arm themselves, preparing for their leader’s presence in the middle of dangerous enemy territory.
After Lang and his small party of warriors came back from collecting the fayagons, he now stood in front of the battalion at the edges of the forest. His hand rested on his sword as he waited for the signal.
“Raven.”
His ears perked as he heard the crackle of the tech. The sky girl he remembered known as Raven walked up to him. “He’s here.”
“Lang. You know what to do.”
Lang leaned into the tech in the girl’s hand, as she pressed the button, he spoke. “Sha, Wanheda. It will be done.” He then turned to the battalion. “As Wanheda has explained before, we are not here to kill. We serve as back up if things go awry. Stick low to the ground, be silent and wait for Wanheda’s signal.” When he heard grunts of acknowledgment, he turned back to the camp. He watched as the fields plunged into darkness, the spotlights pointing to the sky. “Let’s move out.” His eyes fell on who he knew as Marcus Kane. He cocked his head to signal him to follow. Kane stepped out from skaikru, his brows slightly furrowed as he gave a hesitant nod.
Lang took the first step and behind him, every warrior followed with deference. As they neared the camp, the only sound through was the soft clinking of their armor. Slowly they began to disperse until they created a ring around the territory. Each warrior had their hands on their swords, ready for anything that may come. The silence was eerie, soft sounds of their exhales louder than they liked as they waited. Lang glanced up at the guard towers, willing his warriors to have a fast enough reaction to save his friend if it came to.
Clarke’s hand balled into a fist as she forced her tense body to move. She pulled the heavy pack onto her shoulder as she walked out of the room, hand on her dagger in case they ran into any trouble. Anya fell into step behind her, completely trusting the blonde to lead. As they made it to the front of the Ark, purple eyes met hazel once again. “Ready?” The general gave her a firm nod, taking the heavy pack from Clarke as the two turned back to the door. She took a deep breath before they marched through, making their way into the middle of the camp.
Some of skaikru who were awake and hanging around campfires lifted their heads at the noise, murmurs and gasps exploding through them as the guards who were patrolling inside tensed. One stood out amongst the others. “Grounders!” Bellamy growled.
Those of skaikru who were asleep were quick to rush out of their tents at the shout. Lincoln drew back the arrow from the tower, prepared for any skaikru to do something reckless. Clarke raised her chin as she took in a breath, her lungs burning from the simple action while her eyes gazed upon people she used to call her own. “Apologies for the late visit, people of the sky. If you don’t know already my name is Clarke Griffin. Daughter of Jake and Abigail Griffin. I am Wanheda kom Hedakru.” She spoke the title proudly. “I have come on behalf of the Commander to offer Skaikru a spot in the coalition.”
Bellamy gritted his teeth as he took a step forward. “You think you can disappear and come back like you own the place?!” He quaked in anger as his hand shot to the firearm strapped to his belt. “You’ve been playing house with the enemy while we’ve been fighting for our lives!” He shouted, his spit sputtering all over the ground as his eyes held a crazed look. As he peered into someone he used to call a friend, he couldn’t bring himself to hurt her even with how angry he was. So he turned to the woman standing beside her.
“Don’t!” But she was too late. The gunshot rang out and not moments later, a scream tore through the camp. Bellamy fell to his knees, the gun clattering beside him. He held his wrist tightly, looking at the arrow with a wicked sharp tip now sticking out of his hand. In an instant, Clarke made a high pitched whistle sound. There was a warcry from beyond the gate. Moments after, there was a loud clang, the gates swinging open as the hinges rattled. Warriors bursted through the camp, Lang and another warrior were quick to apprehend the curly haired boy, kicking the gun towards the blonde and away from any skaikru. “Anyone who tries to reach for a gun again will share the same fate or worse.” She growled.
Clarke was on one knee beside Anya with her hand atop her abdomen and another against her cheek. “Breathe, Anya. You are alright.”
The general gritted her teeth, taking back the air that was knocked out of her. “Jok, that hurt-“
The blonde chuckled quietly. “Better than having a hole through you.” Her fingers pried at the hole in the leather, eyes locking on to the flat piece of metal that was caught by the vest. “Heda would have my head if you died.”
Anya shot her a small smirk, smothering a laugh as she took the blonde’s hand and stood. Clarke’s eyes found Lincoln’s upon the tower. For just a moment, she wondered why he hesitated but then her eyes locked on to Octavia. Her jaw clenched as she saw the inner turmoil boiling within the brunette, waging war between jumping down to help her brother or pummeling him herself.
“What’s going on?” Another voice cut into her thoughts. She and Anya turned to face an older blonde woman.
“They are here to help, Diane.” Kane stepped forward, his voice calm and controlled. The woman’s brow raised as Clarke spoke instead. “Your leader has poisoned you. He used your fear to turn you against the grounders who only wish to help. Pike aligned himself with a traitor. He risked the lives of everyone in this camp.”
“She speaks the truth!” Kane said strongly as he looked around at his people, familiar faces adding fuel to his determination. “Pike aligned himself with the ice queen. She had sent an army to decimate this camp. If it hadn’t been for Clarke’s quick thinking, this camp would be no longer.”
It was then that Abby, Raven, Monty, and Harper emerged from the warriors. The delinquents' eyes seem to shine a little brighter upon seeing their friends. “I’ve seen the Coalition. The way the commander has constructed it. People live in peace under her reign. Trade routes are open. Help is spared. Peace prevails.” The engineer spoke clearly as she locked eyes with each and every person.
There was a long moment of silence before Diane spoke again. “And what of Pike?”
“Dead.” Clarke replied bluntly. Murmurs erupted among the people.
“How could we possibly trust you?” The blonde woman crossed her arms, a shiver running down her spine.
Clarke shrugged. “I am simply here to offer Skaikru a place in the coalition. So you may also be under the Commander’s protection. If you so decline, from the way you shake from the cold, I can tell that you will not survive another winter alone.” She said matter of factly. “You have lost many and you are already a clan of small numbers. Heda loses nothing if you are lost to the bitter cold of mother earth.”
Kane locked eyes with Clarke, realizing that she was right. There were not many benefits for the grounders if they joined the coalition aside from maybe better medical techniques and some tech that could better life on the ground if it was even accepted but the very offer to join the coalition was Skaikru’s life line. They could trade for food, linens, perhaps even help with shelter.
“Kane.” Clarke turned to him, her stature cold and distant. Her eyes seemed to ponder her words for a moment before she spoke again. “Take this time to communicate with your people. If it is too late then wait until morning. My warriors will set up camp outside the gates. I will wait until you and your people are ready to discuss the matters at hand. Come to me when you are ready.”
Marcus raised his chin for a moment as he took in her words before he nodded. He watched as Clarke’s eyes skittered to Lang and the boy he held. “Bring him to me.” The burly man roughly pulled the boy to his feet, his grip no doubt leaving bruises down his arm. Bellamy glared at her. Not quite hatred but an unrequited anger in his eyes. “I will be keeping this one for now. He is a danger to me and my warriors.”
“Clarke, he needs to be treated.” Abby rebutted, her brows furrowed slightly as she reached out for Bellamy’s injured hand, already inspecting the wound. Before she could touch him, Clarke’s hand shot out, grabbing her wrist in a vice grip. “He will be treated by my fisa but he is not staying in your camp. It is a safety precaution for my warriors. He is a risk, one that I will not be letting roam free as long as my people are near. This is nonnegotiable.”
Kane’s jaw tensed as he observed the fierceness in the blonde’s words. The cold like stone in her expression. “So be it. As long as he will not be harmed.”
“Are you serious?!” Bellamy growled, still holding his wrist in pain. “You’re just going to let these savages take me??”
In an instant, the boy’s head was snapped to the side. A shout fell from his lips as Clarke glanced over her shoulder to see Anya twisting her body back, fist clenching and unclenching beside her as her nose twitched in annoyance. “He will not be harmed so long as he behaves and starts treating my people with respect.” Her words were cold as her eyes met Kane’s once again.
“Bellamy, just calm down and shut up.” Marcus scolded, brows furrowed in annoyance. “Will he be returned to us?”
“That will be a discussion for tomorrow.” Clarke said with finality as she turned. “Let us go, Anya.” She started towards the gates. “Lang, bring him and tell the others to set up camp beyond the fence.”
“Sha, Wanheda.” Lang bowed his head as he pulled Bellamy with him, ignoring his protests and curses. His struggle was futile with the man that easily towered over him and could snap him like a twig. The warriors fell in line with them as they filed out of the camp. “Oh and remember to check on the guards above. They may catch a cold if you leave them up there.” Clarke waved a hand behind her. “Octavia. Lincoln.” She called, her voice coming out louder to stretch across the camp. “Be sure your team helps Skaikru get their guards down. Camp will be set when you are done.” With that, they disappeared into the fields and began making fires and setting tents. Preparing for the long days ahead of having to deal with Skaikru.