The Boy from the Bunker - Season 8

Episode One, Part 6:

Episode One, Part 6:
The Invaders

I knew that look, dear; eyes always seeking. 
Was there in someone that dug long ago. 

"Alright everyone, calm down," Athena announced, doing her best to soften her smile as everyone's amusement gradually began to die down. She waited until the last of the small talk had finished before she spoke, patiently waiting for everyone's attention to be on her.

"You guys know the drill and what measures are in place to ensure we find the Combination," she said. "And thanks to Ammon, we have the largest harvest of people since our mission began," she gestured over to one of her guards who was standing at the front of the group, too humble to know how to accept the round of applause, cheering and whistling that filled up the room for him.

"Although, I think they might also be the most challenging group of people we've faced yet..." She added. "Did you see the riot they put up in the mess hall?"

"Uh, no," Ammon answered, awkwardly scratching at the back of his head. "I didn't actually," he said, managing a laugh. "But I could hear it from my dorm."

"Yeah, it was quite a scene," Athena shook her head in amusement, recalling the chaos she had observed over the ship's security cameras. "Anyway," she continued. "I just wanted to say good work to everyone for gaining control of the situation, and once again, to Ammon for helping us find this harvest. I have a really good feeling that it's not long until our mission succeeds."

"Well played," Xander - one of the guards from Ammon's dorm - said to him, offering an enthusiastic smile his way.

"Agreed," Athena chimed in, then, turning to address the rest of the guards, "you're letting the new guy show off!"

Ammon received several pats on the back as the swarm of guards all made their way out of the control room and began heading back to their dorms, following Xander's lead, still on an adrenaline high from the riot, earlier on.

But Ammon waited behind until everyone was gone, leaving just him and Athena alone in the room.

"Something you wanted to talk to me about?" She asked, searching for the reason behind his lingering stance.

"Just a couple of suggestions," he answered. "Regarding the new harvest."

"I'm all ears," Athena gave him a reassuring smile, turning around to face him as she leaned back against the counter.

"Based on what I've been told about the riot and how defiant some of their people were when they were brought in," he began, "I think it would be a smart idea if we move slowly with the trials. You know, so we don't raise too much suspicion among them all, or cause any distrust."

"I like you're thinking," Athena replied, but she was quick to state her hesitancy on his suggestion. "However, if we wait too long and leave some of them sitting around in their cells for too long, I'm sure that won't do us any favours, either. We need to keep these people strong so they're of best use to us. Perhaps a little fear is just what they need."

Ammon sighed and made his way over to the control panel behind her, scanning his eyes across the multiple screens that show a recording of each cell room. He began flicking through each channel, trying to peer into each cell and figure out how many people they were and who was where.

'Stop," Athena said, moving to stand behind him. "This one, right here," she tapped on the screen that Ammon had frozen on, smirking in amusement as she took another look at her prisoners.

"Something wrong?" Ammon asked.

"No, no, just... She's a feisty one," she said, pointing to the girl on the left side of the screen. "One to look out for, to say the least. I believe the guard that took their names on the Ouranos said she's called Riverly."

"Riverly," Ammon repeated, saying her name a little softer than Athena had done.

"Yeah," Athena hummed. "Only name she would give us," she laughed, amused as she recalled how the guard had explained the confrontation to her. "Well, I think her exact words were: 'Nobel Sovereign Riverly, to you.' I think she might be in charge of her people. In which case, she could be good for our mission if she's as strong as she makes herself out to be. Then again, given the fact that she and an accomplice knocked out one of our guards during the riot, I'd say she is. I hope she's strong enough to survive this place."

"Who's the girl with her in their cell?" Ammon asked. "Do we know about her, too?"

"That's..." Athena stretched out the word, searching through the piles of sheets that were laid out on the surface in front of her, searching for their cell number. "Atlantis Beckett," she answered. "They're sisters, I believe."

"So we're keeping the families together? That's good-"

"They just ended up together based on who they were located near when we used the gas on them," Athena answered nonchalantly, informing Ammon that who was assigned to each cell was simply a random, meaningless outcome.

Ammon nodded his understanding, continuing to flick through the screens as Athena did the same, glancing through the cameras that were located on the second floor.

"Hey," Ammon called, signalling for his superior's attention. Athena looked over, trying to understand what he was looking at.

"This person's on a cell in their own," he pointed out, frowning a little as he watched the red-headed girl through the screen.

"We ran out of cellmates for her. Can you believe it? 201 people... She just happened to be the one."

Ammon stifled a laugh alongside Athena, but he had an eery feeling about them keeping someone from the harvest on their own: surely the solitude would drive someone insane, especially in a place like Neptunum.

"She looks a little younger than a lot of the others. Why don't we take her to the youth sector? That way, there won't be an odd amount in the main cell block-"

"What are you playing at, Ammon?" Athena crossed her arms, suddenly stopping up close to him.

"N-nothing, I was just thinking that if we're going to put her through the endurance trials at some point, it's probably best for us if she hasn't been on her own for a long time. Mentally, I mean. It's in our best interest that she's strong and I'm certain having a friend around or someone to talk to keeps you strong. It would allow us to test the most out of her-"

"I'm just kidding," Athena laughed, teasingly punching his arm when she saw how flustered he had become. "I see what you mean, but she's clearly not a child. She's just going to have to put up with it, I'm afraid. But who knows? Maybe some people like solitude."

"Maybe..." Ammon breathed out, unable to shake the feeling that it wasn't a good idea at all, and Athena caught on.

"Fine," she caved. "I'll consider moving the girl. But don't go getting a big head just because you've had a few smart suggestions."

"Okay, okay," Ammon laughed, throwing his hands up in surrender. "I'll try not to." 

One // Part Six
I hope she's strong enough to survive this place.

Oooh, I liked writing Athena probably too much considering what's coming up this season...

I hope this chapter gives you a little more of a clue about who Ammon and Athena are and I can't wait to write more scene featuring these two!

26/10/20