What If (Season 5 AU)

Chapter 31

Back in the cabin where Echo is tagged to stay, she talks to several defectors in order to learn as much as possible about what is going on around the valley. Many defectors can't even speak let alone look her in the eye. Whatever happened in that bunker must have been beyond anyone's nightmare. Those that do speak? Say very little, and are not helpful at all given the situation. Echo nearly accepts that she's run into a dead end before the door to the church opens and one of the Eligius people walk in. Only he wasn't one of the prisoners, he was the pilot. And he was making his way subtly towards her.

"I hear you're a friend Clarke's. That true?" Echo suddenly looks up and around them but is a surprise when she notices that no one is paying attention.

"Who are you?"

"An ally. Now are you a friend of Clarke's or not?" Echo rolls her eyes and glares in Shaw's direction before nodding her head slowly. "Good. I have a meeting set up for you with the Diyoza in an hour. Don't give anything away, but be honest and truthful. She can tell when you're lying."

"What are you doing? Helping me?"

"If you want to be on Diyoza's, gain her trust, you'll do as I say. You only get one shot at this, so don't screw it up." With that Shaw leaves the building as conspicuously as he can without drawing attention from the guards.

Echo stands around, baffled by the sudden turn of events, but quickly distracts herself with a glass of water as to not draw any unwanted attention to herself. If the man is who he says he is then Clarke is already putting their plan into motion. Which to Echo comes as no surprise. The sooner they complete the mission they came here for, the sooner Clarke can go home to her kids- her family. It was a surprise learning about Madi and Augy, let alone who Augustus's father was, but Echo was slowly beginning to understand. While it may have happened a long time ago, if Clarke was on that rocket in time, she knows who Bellamy would have chose. And Echo didn't blame him.

Clarke was good and always has been. What they had on the ark was simply a distraction for them both, a mean to an end for the time being. But now it was over and that Echo could see the light in that. Bellamy was a good man and he deserved the love and family he always desired to have. And right now a part of that family was missing, put in danger by being in this valley on what could possibly be a suicide mission. But knowing and accepting the truth now, Echo will make sure that the mission is not only complete but that Clarke will return home in one piece. She owes Bellamy that much at least for all that she has done; in the past as enemies and for the most recent events upon their landing on Earth.

~~~

Diyoza brings prisoners out one by one for interviews, Kane by her side for the most part. He doesn't know much of Echo, only what he's heard from the hundred and Octavia. Which was anything but good. Leaving Echo with no choice but to put on a show of good faith and be honest, yet withholding of her true intentions. It was a difficult balance but sh manager enough.

"So, Echo. What were you before the fire that ended the world?" Diyoza asks, leaning back in her chair as if she was at home. And given how she and the other members of Eligius were placed they might as well be.

"I was a spy." At this admission Diyoza squints.

"That was either incredibly honest or incredibly stupid to admit."

In response Echo shrugs. Shaw gave her clear instructions on what to say and do when facing Diyoza. Telling her that she used to be a spy could go one of two ways; she can gain her trust or become public enemy number one. But given Diyoza's personality and the need for loyalty and soldiers, she may just choose the latter.

Diyoza sits in silence for a long time, assessing the brunette in front of her. But Echo was trained at a young age to have patience and out last your opponent, both in battle and interrogation. This was no different. Echos skills may have been rusty and set on a shelf for six years, but it was as simple as riding a bike- second nature even. By the smirk on Diyoza's face Echo knew she had won.