Regina // The 100

042

I stood at the Polis city limits and heard a lot of screaming. I hesitated for a moment. With a new commander who couldn't keep the clans at bay, the city was sure to be in anarchy.

I walked into the city with my sword drawn. Blood soaked the streets, and Grounders had been crucified. I kept my head low to avoid being detected. Alie most likely was taking over Polis, and I was a Nightblood. With me and Ontari both in Polis, that gave Alie twice the chance to get the Flame.

From a nearby table, I snatched a cloak and put it on with the hood up to hide my face. I moved with the crowd searching everywhere for my father, and then I spotted him. He was trailing behind the Grounder that had Pike in chains.

I put my sword away and lengthened my stride to catch up with them. I didn't say anything to them, just followed them through Polis.

We were stepping in pools of blood, splashing beneath our feet. Once we were in front of the tower, I saw a group of Grounders on their knees with their eyes closed. It was as if they were praying.

One man stood up, and I knew him. Dr. Jackson. "Chancellor's," he greeted.

"Jackson?" Kane questioned.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Pike asked him. I hated hearing his voice. I wanted to put a knife into his vocal cords to silence him.

"Those aren't necessary," Jackson said, pointing to the chains that restrained Pike's hands.

"This man belongs to the Commander," the Grounder said in his deep voice.

From the tower entrance, Jaha came out and patted Jackson's shoulder. "It's all right, Jackson," Jaha said.

Behind Jaha was the new Commander, Ontari. "Lus em au(Untie him)," Ontari ordered. The Grounder obeyed and untied Pike's hands. "Nau teik yu spika slak en teik klika-de in(Now open your mouth and take the key)."

The Grounder removed his mask, and Ontari placed the key onto his tongue, forcing him to swallow it. "Thelonious, what is this?" Kane asked.

"This is the chip," Pike said.

Ontari past a chip to the Grounders who had not taken one, including me. She didn't see my face, but she handed me a chip. I held it between my fingers and looked up at Ontari. She wasn't paying any attention to me, so I put the chip in my pocket.

"I thought you were crazy, now I know you are," Pike said.

"This is unity," Jaha told him. "Like you always wanted."

Pike jumped forward with a knife and held it to Ontari's neck. This wasn't going to end well, and I knew it. "Everyone back away or the Commander dies," Pike ordered. Two Ark guards came into view. "Thank God. Briggs, Grant, get behind me," Pike demanded. Instead, Briggs slammed his gun into Pike's leg.

Pike was forced to release Ontari. The two guards took hold of Pike. "Briggs? You're Farm Station," Pike shouted.

"There are no stations here," Jaha said calmly. "Just the City of Light. Join us, Charles, please." Jaha held out a chip for Pike. "There's no more need for fighting."

"We both know there's no way in hell I'm taking that thing," Pike spat out. Jaha closed his hand over the key and put it away.

"Sorry it has to be this way," Jaha said. A cloth was placed over Pike's head, and despite his fighting, the guards dragged him away. Jaha then turned to Kane, holding up the chip. "How about you, Marcus?"

Kane grabbed the chip and looked at it, but he threw it without a second thought. Jaha watched it. "That was a mistake," he said.

"I don't think so," Kane whispered.