Adjusting to Reality

Chapter 3

Note: It has been three long years since I updated this, and I would apologize except I was dealing with a lot and had no mental energy (or wifi) to write for most of that time. I've moved a few times and finally have a stable home, and I've spent the last year trying to get back into writing, even managed to post a couple new things and finish a different fic. For those who maybe have come back after waiting so long, thank you for being patient! For new readers, welcome!

This chapter continues right after the last one, but I've included a bit of the previous chapter for those who for some reason just come straight to this chapter. It holds a few important conversations that needed to be had to push a bit of plot, and some light-hearted stuff at the end. Next chapter (hopefully coming waaayyy sooner than three years from now...) will have discussions of handling the Mountain. Enjoy!

~QR

ps, the new Trig word I used, "trig of" means "fire", as in, firing a weapon, according to https://trigedasleng.net/dictionary

Previously, on Adjusting to Reality:

Earth; Near the Exodis ship crash site, sometime in October, 2149

A quick glance around told Natalie that the warriors had the Arkers at sword-point, kneeling on the ground. Then movement near the metal ship caught her eye, and she turned her head to watch as more people poured out of the contraption. Another sword joined Natalie's, so she pulled back and sheathed it, crouching to tie her father's wrists together. Then she stepped back and turned to face Diana Sydney as she stepped up with a scowl.

"What is the meaning of this? Who are you?" Sydney looked over the warriors with a furrowed brow.

Natalie swallowed the anxiety that bubbled in her gut and stood straight again. There was a thump as Anya kicked David to the ground, and then the general was beside Natalie with a scowl of her own. Anya stood close to Natalie, but didn't touch her. "You alright?"

Natalie nodded once, staring Sydney down. "Yes." Then she stepped away from Anya and stalked closer to the ex Council member. She stood quietly and kept her gaze on Sydney, watching from the corner of her eye as Bellamy and Clarke came forward.

There was a flash of recognition in Sydney's eyes. "Ah, Clarke Griffin. I should have known you'd be like your mother; defiant and stubborn." Clarke shifted on her feet at the sneer on the woman's face, frowning deeply. "What do you want?"

"To save your life," Clarke told her, her eyebrows furrowing. Sydney scoffed, and Clarke crossed her arms. "We know you're planning on going to Mount Weather. There's nothing there for you, just a bunker full of selfish people who'd rather use others to aid themselves than to aid a bunch of newbies from space."

From the look on Sydney's face, she didn't believe Clarke even a little.

Now:

Sydney set her hands on her hips as a small group of people gathered around and behind her, aiming rifles at the gonakru gathered with Natalie, Clarke, and Bellamy. Natalie felt more than heard the army shift, lifting their weapons in preparation for another battle. She glanced at Anya before looking to Clarke, deferring to her in this situation. Sydney stood her ground, not saying anything for a moment while the two groups faced off. "What makes you think I should believe you?" Sydney finally asked.

Clarke lifted her chin a little, looking annoyed. "How does that question make any sense?" She shook her head and placed her hands behind her back, much like Heda does. "You should believe me because I have no reason to lie."