A Different Landing

Chapter-19

Octavia grunted with effort as she helped the woozy Lincoln into the back of a cart. She was amused by his clear displeasure at being dressed in Azgeda colors and having the white paint slathered on his face. She'd taken a great deal of pleasure from putting the white war paint of her people on his face. He'd grumbled slightly but allowed it, not that he could have fought her off, still far too weak to do much.

It was early, first light not quite having arrived. The field was filled with a natural fog, making the passing men appear and disappear like ghosts. The damp stuck to her skin and she could feel her hair frizzing. The horse hitched to the wagon shook its head, causing a slight jingle to be heard. Settling Lincoln down so that he was on one of the two benches along the back of the cart, she pulled a fur off the floor and wrapped it around him. Once sure he was situated, she darted forwards kissing him roughly, desperate to be a reassured he was alive.

"That's enough of that." Clarke said, slapping her lightly on the shoulder.

Octavia glared slightly at Clarke, who was helping another of the recovering reapers into the cart. "You're a spoil sport you know that right?" She asked while leaving an amused if sick looking Lincoln behind as she jumped off the cart.

"I'm aware." Clarke said dryly while settling her patient in for the ride into the Trikru controlled section.

Octavia waited for Clarke to be done and to join her before they moved back towards the medical tent. Once they were mostly alone, she looked over at Clarke seriously. "Want to tell me why a secure guard detail involves Peri?"

"She's good and I know she's loyal to me." Clarke replied before adding, "Plus, it means most of the others will be relieved they weren't picked for the assignment instead of insulted."

"Because she's unhinged. She like's killing, she's psychotic." Octavia protested. The way the woman smiled while killing people in the most painful ways was disturbing.

"Which makes her invaluable when there are people to be killed who others would balk at killing." Clarke said. "What's really bothering you?"

Octavia rolled her eyes. "Well besides the fact you're taking Peri with us, which I am totally bothered by, your group is built entirely out of assassin's, Peri, and Keaton! Like, why does a guard detail mean the most outlandish members of our army gathered in one place?"

"We need their expertise and we both know they are loyal." Clarke said, ducking into the medical tent.

Octavia rolled her eyes sensing the conversation was closed. Clarke's belief in the loyalty of the assassins under her command confounded her. Of course Monty and Charlotte were family and could be trusted. Burka, Niles, and his second Nina, however were different. There was something deeply unsettling about them, Burka especially. Peri and Burka lacked empathy to a degree that was noticeable. While Peri flaunted her strangeness and took open pleasure when allowed to kill, it was Burka's silent pragmatism that scared her. She had no doubts if offered enough incentive Burkha would turn on them without warning, but Clarke wouldn't listen to reason on the subject. She and Monty would just have to keep their eyes open.

With care, she helped lever up a recovering reaper. As she helped him hobble towards the exit, she saw a pale Lisa standing there in Clarke's jacket, fiddling with the sleeves. Her face had been painted thickly to make it harder to identify her. With her hair braided up and the distinctive clothing, she made a passable Clarke. Octavia grinned at the girl as she passed her. "Take care 'general'." She teased.