The One Who's Fallen

Chapter 131

"We're not interested in what you're offering." I reply, my tone harsh and unwavering.

"Now, now. That's no way to speak to the man who's offering you all a way out of all of this. At least listen to my proposal."

I'm about to reply impolitely and tell him where he can stick his proposal when Lexa places her hand on my arm and gives me a look. I clamp my mouth shut, giving her a confused look.

"We should hear what he has to say." Lexa says, still looking me in the eyes. She doesn't notice the betrayed look Octavia gives her. "I am not saying that we will comply, but I know it will haunt you if we do this and you do not listen to him." She says the last part lowly so that Cage's microphones in the room won't pick the words up.

I frown and then after a moment of deliberation I nod. Lexa knows me sometimes better than I know myself, and this time I know she's right. If I don't hear him out and we go through with Plan Daedalus, I don't know how I'll be able to live with myself.

"Excellent. And I have to say, it's a surprise that the savage is being the smart one for once." He says, not seeming to care when Lexa's lips curl up into a menacing snarl.

"Your proposal?" Lexa prompts, her voice low and dangerous.

"Ah, yes. It's a simple thing, really. Nothing to it. You can all leave with your people. The only thing I want in return is twelve... What do you call them? Sky People?"

I glare at the image of him in the screens. "What do you plan to do with them?"

"What's necessary for our survival. What's necessary for us to finally be able to go outside." Cage says almost dreamily.

"And what would that be?" I question.

"Removing all of their bone marrow and transplanting it into our own bodies."

"Removing all of their-" I repeat in shock. "That'll kill them!"

"Yes, I'm aware of that. So here's your choice. Twelve lives to sacrifice for hundreds." He says, smirking like he knows he's won.

Well, when he puts it like that... No. I shake my head to rid myself of those thoughts. "Hang on for a minute while we discuss this."

"Of course." He says, almost seeming polite.

I turn my back to him and the others gather around me. Raven, apparently finished already with her task, gives me an incredulous look.

"You're actually considering this?" She asks. "That's twelve of our friends, our family."

"Listen to me." I say in a quieter tone so Cage won't be able to hear me. "No, I'm not. Because if the Maunon can live on the ground, they're still our enemies. All hell would break loose. They my want to exterminate us in order to colonize the lands themselves. So here's what we're going to do..."

"I don't like this plan," Octavia scowls after I'm finished explaining.

"It's our only option." I reply.

"What if he thinks it's a bluff?" Octavia demands.

"Then we will have no choice but to show him it is not." Lexa replies.

I squeeze her hand, which is still in mine. Her touch is what's keeping me calm at the moment instead of panicking or pacing. I appreciate her show of support.

"Alright Octavia, go." I say.

She sighs and picks up the radio. Cage's eyes glitter with excitement, probably thinking we're about to agree to his proposal. Little does he know...

"O to Bell. Come in Bell." She says, repeating it once before the radio crackles back.

"Octavia? What's going on?" He asks worriedly.

"Is Plan Daedalus ready?" She asks, giving Lexa and I a dirty look.

"Yes," he confirms. "Are they really going to do it?" He asks hesitantly, like he's not sure he wants to know the answer. I'm not sure anyone wants to know the answer.

"I don't know," she sighs. "We'll see. We will contact you again soon to let you know. They're all sealed?"

"Yeah, everything's been double and triple checked. I'm in here with them."

Octavia visibly winces. "So if it doesn't work..."

"I'll have to live with it. At least I'm here to provide comfort. They're pretty panicked and worried. I don't exactly blame them, either." He sighs. "Love you, O."

"Love you too, Bell. Stay safe." She says.

"You too," he says softly before the radio clicks.

Octavia sets the walkie talkie back down on a nearby table. She stares defiantly at the illuminated screens making up Cage's face.

"So you've decided?" He asks, his voice filled with barely contained glee.

"Yes," Lexa answers.

She takes a step forward, gently pulling me as well. Is she trying to show him that we are equals or does she just want me by her side? Perhaps it's a bit of both.

"We have a counter proposal for you." I say.

"Oh?" His eyebrows raise, just enough to be noticeable, betraying his surprise. "Let's hear it then."

"You let all of us leave, no tricks or traps." I respond.

"With nothing in return?" He laughs in our faces. "No."

"You will be getting something in return." Lexa says, her voice deadly calm. "Your people will live."

"Typical savages, assuming that you can kill all of us." He chuckles, then turns serious. "You won't do that, kid. You would lose too many people in the fight."

Lexa's lip twitches with distaste. "We did not say we would bring my army here."

Cage pauses, like he doesn't quite understand. He squints at us, looking wary for once and not as cocky. "What do you mean?"

"We will turn off your fans." Lexa states.

Cage's eyes widen and he's actually scared for once. "You can't do that."

"Actually, we can." Raven butts in. "See, your people may have put up firewalls, but no one excepted me."

"And who exactly are you, little girl?" He asks.

"I'm Raven Reyes, professional explosion maker and your personal hell at your service." She smirks.

The plan is sort of revealed... But what is Daedalus? Why do I keep not explaining what that is? I promise I'll explain the name eventually when we lean more about the plan... Also, I love Raven! Hopefully this is good, I just finished doing a project before I wrote this... Thank you for reading and for your amazing comments! Stay awesome!