The First On The Ground

Red Queen

(OCTAVIA POV)

It has been 46 days since Praimfaya and since we have been stuck in the bunker. I miss my brother and August like crazy. They should be here with me because I am no leader. August has always been the leader but she isn't here. Right now, I am practicing sword fighting with Miller since he wanted to learn. I am able to knock him to the ground as he tries to go behind me before I hold my sword to his throat while smiling at him.
"Octavia," Indra says as she stands in the doorway with Commander's clothing. "The delegates have assembled."
"Dressing me up doesn't fool anyone," I say as I help Miller up. "My blood is red, and it always will be." Miller walks away, leaving me and Indra alone.
"Symbols matter, Octavia, these symbols. Trust me. The more people connect you to them, the easier it is for you to lead," Indra explains before opening her hand to reveal the tiny seal that August had given her to give to me. The seal that once belonged to Lexa. I nod before Indra helps me get ready. As we are walking through the halls I stop beside Niylah as she bows to me.

"Osleya kom Wonkru," Niylah says. The Champion of Wonkru.
"Stop," I tell her as I get embarrassed.
"Look what I found," Niylah says as she grabs a book off of her cart. "I know Bellamy used to read you the parts about ancient Rome." She hands me the book and I notice that it is 'Metamorphoses' by Ovid. I open the book to the first book in it.
"'I intend to speak of forms changed into new entities'," I read from the book before looking at Niylah. "Thank you. We're sparring tomorrow. Promise?"

"Mm-hmm," Niylah agrees.
"Indra," I order as we continue on our way to the meeting. I see Gaia up ahead and mentally roll my eyes. Judging by the absence of Mika by her side, Mika must be with Abby or Jaha. I look to Gaia as I pass her. "Complain to your mother."
"Caber kom Delphikru jak em tronkova op Sangeda redon," The Sangeda ambassador says. Caber of Delphikru stole blankets from Sangeda quarters.

"El tropkin lo," The Delphikru ambassador argues. A brazen lie.

"Der laik voucha em swer ste nou prom," Sangeda ambassador says. There were witnesses; his guilt is not in question. I truly wish that I was anywhere but here. "Hasta Sangedakru co em beda rok sho en em seingeda beskana ou." By Sangedakru law he should be stoned and his family cast out.
"And on the Ark, he would have been floated, but surely here, we can instill a justice system where the punishment fits the crime," Kane says as he leans forward on the table.

"Kirpon de gon sir en oso raitnes beda wenou," Sangeda ambassador says. The crime was against us and our justice should prevail.
"So much for Wonkru," I say as I glance at Indra.
"Osleya is right. There are no separate clans here. You do well not to forget that," Indra explains.
"All right. Then what punishment does Osleya impose?" Sangeda ambassador asks.

"For stealing blankets? Give them back," I answer. It's not rocket science people. "What's next?" A tapping sound can be heard from the ceiling.

"Shh. Quiet," Kane says as we all listen. It's almost as if someone is trying to get in. The only people that could have survived Praimfaya is a nightblood and the only two remaining nightbloods that are not in the bunker are Clarke and August. It can't be either of them since they went to space. "Somebody's out there." I decide to let Kane and Abby be the ones to go check it out.

(3rd PERSON POV)

Kane seals the door before turning to find Abby struggling to get the tape to dispense.
"Here. Let me," Kane says as he reaches for the tape.
"No. I can do it," Abby says as she turns away from him.
"That's the most you've said to me in a month," Kane says before they can hear the tapping again.
"It's Clarke or August. I know it is. Hurry," Abby says as she hands Kane the tape.
"Abby, you know Clarke went back to space with the others. So did August," Kane says as he tapes Abby's suit.
"Thank you, but I don't need you to protect me from myself," Abby says.
"I'm not. I sent for you, didn't I?" Kane responds. "I just want you to be prepared."
"It's a Nightblood that knows where we are. Who else could it be?" Abby says stubbornly. "Put your damn helmet on." They both put on their helmets before Abby climbs up to the door.
"Careful. We haven't opened this door since Praimfaya," Kane says as he follows her up.
"Let's do this," Abby says as she punches in the code for the door. "Marcus, there's something wrong. It won't open." Abby pushes on the door as hard as she can.
"Move over," Kane says as he climbs beside her. "Push." They both start pushing on the door but it does not open. "Abby, stop."
"No! Clarke is up there!" Abby yells.