Wildcat

When daddy died Clarke wept. She cried right into the wrapper that held her orange. That little piece of cloth. It no longer smelled like orange. It smelled of her, but it reminded her of her father. How happy he was to give her the orange. Now he was gone.

Her mother and her had to move to a smaller quarter. One for only one parent. Not like it mattered. Her mother never shared a bed with her father. Her sire always slept on the couch when her mother was home. So nothing changed for her mother, but everything changed for her.

Some old man who was from farm station picked her up from school and brought her back home. He stayed with her and played chess. Some days Wells came to her place, and he stayed for dinner with her, her mother, and sometimes Otto, who lost most of his family.

On days where she would cry and miss her daddy, Otto promised her that she would see him again. He even taught her how to play videos of him on the screen. He allowed her to watch a couple a day when she wanted to. He was the nicest babysitter that she had.

Wells soon got a babysitter of his own. An older lady named Gwen. She was from factory, and she taught Clarke how to stitch. Wells was more interested in learning about crops from Otto, and he indulged her, and for some reason both of them hung out around her house. She didn’t mind spending more time with Wells. Otto never let her win at chess, and at least she had a chance to beat Wells.

Whenever she would run out of something to draw with, she would stitch. Gwen gifted her a needle, and sometimes she would leave tiny bits of thread for her. She was working on stitching something on the cloth her father wrapped the orange in. It was Gwens suggestion and she poked her finger a lot, but it was something to do.

They were going on a field trip soon. Back on earth kids went on field trips all the time. They went to zoos to see animals, and museums full of art. Sometimes they went to the woods and learned about plants and wildlife.

On the Ark there weren't many places they could all visit. At least not with many students. There was her year of 30 students. Her year consisted of kids her age a year before, and a year behind her. Then the years above them the 7-10 year olds there were 15 students. Then the 11-13s who also had 20. Then lastly the 14-16s. Which were 35 because some were held back until they found their specialty.

100 children slowly moved through the hallway. Clarke was buddied up with her mother and a boy named Jackson who wanted to be a doctor. She waved to Otto who was with his grandson and a girl near her age who went up a couple grades. Her name was Raven. Gwen was with Wells, and someone named Kyle.

So many kids. Normally she just saw them all in the classroom area. Now they would get to go to the cafeteria and all share a snack after going through an old ship that would one day take her grandchildren to earth.

While on the ship there was some beeping and then an alarm. The old people started to panic. “Everyone take a seat. Quickly. Quickly,” Otto said.

“TAKE YOUR SEATS!!” Gwen shouted.

“Adults first, and then small children on top of them if we run out of straps,” another old lady said.

People moved around and then she heard Sinclairs voice come over the coms. “We can’t stop. Everyone on the LifeBoat strap in. I repeat strap in. We will try and stop the countdown,” Sinclair said.

Her mother swore, and then took a seat. She looked around and found Wells. They sat beside him and Gwen. The old lady had him on her lap and her mother helped Kyle with his seat before sitting on her own and strapping her in with her. Otto’s grandson sat beside her, and then Otto beside him with Raven on his lap.

She truly looked at the little girl then. Raven was smaller than she was and she was older than her. Maybe she didn’t get enough rations. If she had an orange she would be sure to give her a couple pieces.

*****2 Minutes to Launch****** A voice said coming over the PA.

All the adults were praying. The teachers were climbing ladders making sure that everyone was strapped in. The older earth skills teacher for the upper grades noticed Luke and pulled him out to put himself in and then tied Luke to him.

“Abby,” Glasses mother was scared. So scared.

“It’s going to be alright Mrs. Sorenson.” Her uncle Kane said softly from beside her.

Him and another couple guards escorted them to the ship, to make sure no kids touched what they weren’t supposed to. Only the younger kids got an escort, and that was because they liked to wander. She knew she did. Otto walked with her sometimes around the ark. They had been walking a lot lately and she got to explore and play hide and go seek with Wells in a hanger bay. It was a lot of fun.

The ship launched and then a TV came on. Her father was there, but he wasn’t alone. Vera Kane. The old lady who fed the tree. She was on the screen as well, and they were both crying.

“Earth is survivable. We repeat earth is survivable,” Jake said.

Vera spoke next. “Radiation levels are stable, and look,” she said, turning the screen so that they could see some of the plants. There was the sun, water, bees, and… animals.

“The ark has been lying to you. For years, and would lie to your children and your children's children. The life boat you are on is of 2. This one has been worked on by a team to help accommodate and prepare as many people as possible.” Her father explained.

“Because there won’t be enough to get everyone down. It was supposed to be a problem solved in another 100 years, but we don’t have that long. Right now because you all launched we saved the Ark Oxygen, and resources. The old, who would get floated to save resources still have knowledge and deserve to see the earth safely. Because I have been working on a plan to get the rest of the Ark down. It will work but it is not without risk, and like a friend said. I would rather have my last breath be on the ground.”

“As for the children. They deserve better. Right now they will need either their parents or companions' help. Vera will be meeting you at the drop sight and taking you to new Eden. You will be landing in the snow. It will help cushion the fall. A friend should have placed enough supplies on the ship to help keep everyone warm.” Her dad said.

“TRAITOR!!” One of the people screamed.

“The earth is survivable,” Pike said in awe.

Clarke was still watching the screen. Her father was alive. She could feel her mothers tears hit her back. Vera smiled at the screen and waved.

“To the Thursday Tea Club… I look forward to seeing your faces when you try the actual tea. I do hope you dipped into the archives for some good crops. But no matter. Jake and I have been enjoying a cup every morning during break. Stay vigilant… We aren’t alone. There are groups of people on the ground. Not all of them get along. We struck a deal with the people between us. Some are coming with to get you all.”

Her father came back on screen. “We have to work. All of us. But they helped to build us a school and some houses where their children and other children can sleep. We will trade. Trade is something all clans can at least agree upon.”

“Growing up we were told we would be the ones to populate the earth. Our childrens, children and so on. But the earth was already inhabited. Jake and I chose to make peace. What else could we do, and after a year of getting to know the Lake people, the Rock people, and even meeting some Trikru we have decided that peace is the best option. We are the pilgrims, they are the native americans. This time we will do better. Or else we don’t deserve to live on the earth,” Vera said.

Some of the old people nodded along. Some of the parents were crying. Some of the children were as excited as she was. The ship kept moving along and soon she would meet her daddy. She was so excited. He was alive, and not dead.

“I told you Clarke,” Otto said. “You would meet again.”

“You knew?” Her mother said, and Pike turned to face the man beside him.

“I knew there wasn’t enough room for all of us to cram in here. I knew about the lack of oxygen because of the greenhouse. I knew that… That Elizabeth Griffin's communication device was tampered with. Right now there is chaos, but the leadership will control it. Everyone will have to work together and cooperate if they want to get down to the ground. We left a message,” he said.

“You left a message?” Pike said incredulously.

Gwen piped up. “We did. What are they going to do? Arrest a bunch of elderly people. We will have a few months on them with any luck. I would like to see them stop me from exploring my birthright.”

“All the walking…” Her mother said… “How many of you knew?” Her mother said loudly and looked around the room and nearly everyone above the age of 60 raised their hands.

The screen changed and everyone looked at it. She expected to see her father again but it was Sinclair. “There are supplies behind the seats. Tools to start a fire, radios, in the bottom level I left a welding kit. It's strapped in and blankets are around it, but you will need it. There are also tools. Strip down some of the larger pieces, and you can make sleds to help pull the children. In New Eden you can make tools. Good luck on Mayflower. See you soon,” Sinclair said.

“How many damn people were in on this?” Pike asked.

He looked to Otto and then to Gwen. He didn’t get his answer. Not until they landed.

Gwen was fine, but Otto broke a hip. She was told to stay with Gwen, who along with a few of the older people made there way outside. They were soon in charge of watching the children. Some people needed medical attention, like Otto.

Pike was getting men together working on building sleds. They would be for the injured Clarke knew. She could walk. Otto needed the sled more than she did.

Her uncle Kane guarded the perimeter, and gathered 10 of the older kids to help. She wanted to help her mother. There was a woman holding onto a boy a year above her and she looked to be sick. Clarke pointed over at her, and brought Gwen with her.

“Are you okay?” Gwen asked.

Octavia Blake was the first child born on the ground. A miracle really. Clarke got to hold the little girl after her brother did. A lot of the little kids gathered around the newborn. Many of them had never seen a baby, and none of them had a sibling.

“Back in people it’s getting dark,” Kane called out.

Clarke waited inside with everyone else. Her mother was busy working. Gwen stayed near Otto, and she stayed with her and Wells. Each of them was so excited. They spoke at great lengths about what they wanted to do on the ground.

The following morning they were all woken up by a knock outside of the main hatch. Kane and the men and Alphas stood ready, and Clarke climbed up with the rest of the young and weak.

Soon she was allowed down and she got to see her first horse. Her father wasn’t there though. She ran from person to person. Clarke didn’t heed ehr minders words, as she looked for him.

“Daddy!! Daddy!!!” She screamed.

The woman from the library who always watered the trees stood in front of her. “He is at Eden Clarke. He wasn’t sure how everyone would react.”

Vera and the 20 people she brought with her brought some food and supplies. They were splitting up. Those that could walk, would walk back with them. Some wagons would pull along the children.

Marcus Kane stayed with, as well as Charles Pike. They would wait at the drop ship for a couple more days before moving with the warriors.

She heard the adults whisper, and she noticed the warriors. Most of them were old. Apparently there was a war going on between clans. The warriors were needed to defend their lands and these were all the people they could spare. She knew it wasn’t good, but she didn’t know how bad it could be.

Clarke was playing in the snow with Bellamy. His mother and sister had gone on the wagon. Luke and Raven had gone on the wagons as well. Her playmates were few, and she had met Bellamy before, and her mom told him he needed someone to distract him from missing his family.

More of the children went in the first wave than adults. Some of the injured who could lay down in the wagon went, but mostly the teens, and small children. Aurora went at Abby’s urging because being in a warm hut was better for Octavia than staying a few days in a tin can.

Food was so much better.

They waited… And waited… A week had passed. They had tried to use the radios to contact them, but no luck. Kane decided to take a party of middle aged teens, and a couple teachers to help find the tracks of those that had left, but they were barely visible. It was a fools errand.

On day 11 riders came, and arrows were fired. Clarke ran. She ran faster than ever before. “Get in. Get in,” Pike shouted.

Kane had left him with some of the riot gear. Bullets were a no no in space. There was talk about finding guns in old bunkers. Pike shot at the nearest rider, and Clarke and Bellamy sprinted inside.

Gwen took an arrow to the arm, and Clarke and Bellamy helped to pull her inside as Pike looked. The teacher sighed, and then shut the door after 2 more kids made it inside behind them.

There was a window and Pike was looking out of it and swearing. Her mother was checking on Gwen now. The lower level was where the patients were. Food was on the very top level, and the middle level held supplies. Shouting could be heard outside, and Clarke wanted desperately to see, but she couldn’t.

“Help. Help has come!!” Pike said with a smile on his face.

The arrow from Gwen’s arm was out by the time they opened the door. The people had camped outside of their ship. They were waiting. All the adults debated whether to open it or not and the consensus was to open the door and offer what food they had.

Clarke carried a box of food with Bellamy to the door. Pike opened it and he had his gun at the ready. He stepped with them. Her own mother, and Gwen walked behind them and everyone else closed the door to the ship behind them.

“Do you speak english?” Pike asked.

A young boy who looked no more than 12 stood up. “I do,” he said.

Pike, her mother, and Gwen spoke to them as her and Bellamy handed out the food. It was mainly dried fruits, some dried meat, nuts, and they had some fresh fruit. Clarke fought to peel an orange. She wanted to share it with the warriors.

“Let me,” the young boy said.

“It’s an orange,” Clarke said. “Daddy got me one for my third birthday. Do you know my daddy? His name is Jake Griffin.”

The boy frowned. “I know of a Griffin. Strange woman. Hair and eyes not unlike yours. She is part of Queen Nia’s council.”

“Is her first name Elizabeth?” Pike asked.

“Yes,” the boy said.

They continued to discuss, and another warrior taught her how to cut an apple. She had not had an apple before. At least not a fresh one. It was delicious. After a while of conferring, it was decided. They would go with the boy Roan who apparently commanded these men, back to the capital of his people. Tron.

Roan commanded 50 men. They had killed 30 that had attacked. A couple of their people came out half frozen to death when they realized that Roan and his men weren’t going to attack them.

50 men and women. Mainly Alphas. Took a group of 50 Arkers… Mainly Omegas, elderly, and those in need of medical attention to Tron.

Clarke got to sleep in a cave one night, a tent the next. Roan always came to tell them stories. One of his warriors, Talon, was quite a story teller. He often looked at her strangely, but she ignored it because he told such good stories.

“I want to be a warrior,” Bellamy said one evening while watching the men train.

Pike and a couple of the remaining older Alphas decided to take watch. Roan must have said something to them in their native tongue, because the warriors were laughing, until he said something. Then they stopped, and waved at the people to follow them.

After 5 days they stopped at a village. People made room for them. They had slowly run out of food. They had taken a lot from the ship. Roans warriors had gathered the enemies horses. Apparently they were from the Delfikru.

No one said anything but Clarke knew that it was bad that Vera and the people that came with her didn’t come back. The grown ups never said anything around her, but she could smell their hesitancy. Some were scared, but not frightened to death.

Clarke got to ride with Roan as they left the city. Her mother rode on a horse with Talon. She rode beside the sleds road had traded a few of the horses. Once the injured were in a proper position where they wouldn’t hurt their injuries too much they travelled at a quicker pace.

Some of Roans warriors ran. Some scouted ahead. Others scouted behind. They were always on the lookout. Clarke kept on the lookout as well. She wanted to see her grandmother. She wasn’t stupid. She knew the name of her fathers mother, even if her parents didn’t talk about their parents. Her moms parents elected to float when her grandfather got sick. They were true mates. She wanted a true mate. She just had to present first.

They rode and rode and rode. Eventually they made it to Tron. “Toronto,” her mother said in wonder as they got to the city limits.

“What used to be Toronto,” Pike said. “Most of the buildings appear to have been levelled. I can’t believe how green it is. Cities used to be grey scapes. This is… Wow.” Pike exclaimed.

Clarke moved around in the saddle when she noticed a woman riding towards them followed by a few riders. “Look,” Clarke said. She wondered if the woman could be her grandmother. Maybe she could.

“Hail Queen Nia,” Roan said.

Clarke smiled up at Roan who gave her a half smirk. “Hail Queen Nia,” Clarke said and then mimicked Roan.

The woman laughed and dismounted her horse. Everyone of the Azgeda warriors dropped to their knees and bowed. “Hail Queen Nia,” was repeated by all the warriors. Some of her own people echoed her statement as well.

“Who is this?” Nia asked, approaching her and Roan.

“Ai laik Clarke Griffin,” she said. Roan had taught her and her people some words. Her father had warned them about different clans, people, and languages. So far Azgeda seemed like a nice clan. They had saved them after all.

Nia quirked her head. Her mother hopped off her horse and looked at the Queen dead in the eye. “We were waiting for our people, but they didn’t return. We were attacked, and Roan rescued us. We promise to not burden you too much, and help where we can. I am a healer, Charles Pike is a teacher, and Otto is a farmer. Gwen can use a needle and thread,” her mother said, starting to list off everything that they could contribute.

Uncle Marcus was gone as well, but her mommy didn’t mention that. He and the others were hopefully alive, but Clarke had this sinking feeling in her stomach.

“Come inside. Let’s talk in my palace over a warm meal. It isn’t much, as it's winter, but if you came from the metal box, then it is a lot.” Nia winked at her mother.

To her surprise her mother eyed the Alpha woman curiously. Nia reached out a hand for Clarke to take and she was placed on her horse. Nia told her all about her people. She waved at some that came out, and Clarke waved back. It was like a giant welcome home.

Nia kept them in the palace. Clarke stayed with her mother, and Gwen. Bellamy stayed with Pike and a healing Otto. Everyone else was given spaces outside of the palace. Each with a promise of a warm bed, and food.

Her mother went off to train with the Azgedan healers. Nia invited those and their sekens to the palace to learn from her mother. Pike started a school, and Gwen helped him teach the students.

Otto slowly started to walk with a cane, and he had the workers dig outside and bring in soil. There were some windows still intact and some of the adults from the ark were busy taking them out, to build him a greenhouse. All the adults were contributing.

The Queen of Azgeda met her after class. Normally she would play with Bellamy or some of the other kids from Azgeda. But today she was brought by Nia into the training ring.

“We learn how to fight from a young age. You need to learn how to defend yourself Clarke,” Nia said.

Clarke learned how to fight from Nia, but she wasn’t allowed to use any weapons. Only her fists. Clarke spent everyday after school at the training grounds. There was no homework like on the Ark. During dinner with Nia and some of her counsel they always spoke in Trigedasleng.

“What is your mothers favourite flower?” Nia asked.

Ummm… “We don’t have flowers on the Ark,” Clarke said.

“What does she like?” Nia asked.

“Healing. She likes teaching. She was going to have an assistant, but Jackson went with Kane to try and find the others. They didn’t come back.”

Nia crouched down to her level and put a hand on her shoulder. “You may yet find them. When the snow clears we work. Before the snow falls we go to Polis to trade. If there is news of your people they will know. Until then Roan will ask other border guards for news. You are safe here.”

“I thought Griffin was here,” Clarke said.

The Queen sighed and nodded. “The Griffin is on a mission with some of my best men. She is to find healing supplies, and bring them back for your nomon,” Nia smiled at her.

Slowly the snow vanished, and her rooms moved. Gwen moved into a room with Otto near the greenhouse, Bellamy became a Seken to Talon. Pike had a room above the school where he taught, but he could also be found in the greenhouse, or the gardens he was cultivating.

Now she was in one of the largest rooms in the palace. Her mother and Queen Nia were courting, and were set to mate. She had never seen her mother so happy. It just confused her. She thought her mommy and daddy would get back together, but her mother said even if daddy was alive that wouldn’t happen.

It needed to be explained to her. She was embarrassed that she had to have Gwen explain it to her. Her mother and father never exchanged bites. Therefore never mated. Mating was a bond more sacred than marriage. Her mother mating with Nia all but assured their safety and potion in the Azgeda Clan.

So many people came to celebrate the marriage of Queen Nia to her mother. All of Azgeda seemed to turn out. Clarke got a pretty dress, and flowers. Nia wore her best armour and her mother wore a dress. They reeked of pheromones, and a week after their wedding, when all the partying started to die down, a lot of them packed up to come with to Polis. It was now the time to see more of the world, and to see if their people had survived.