Abby pondered the various paintings that adorned the walls of the room she was in. The last time she had been in here she didn't really pay attention to her surroundings, but she supposed now was as a good time as any to take in Diana's room .
The former Chancellor had lived here ever since she'd lost an election to Thelonious. It was to be expected. One did not become Chancellor and stay popular especially if one was as stringent as Diana had been.
Diana had performed more floatings than any other Chancellor. She had also floated every single 18 year old to come out of Prison Station during her term without exception. It was necessary as there had been a fungal infection in the hydroponic farm and as such it was necessary for the resources of the Ark to not be strained.
This did not make her popular amongst the general populace as they began to wish for a Chancellor who was more lenient and humane. Thelonious was lucky in that he'd opposed Diana at every stage and word began to spread of the man who wished for a better life for all.
It was why she found it extremely ironic that even now as she sat here the 500 residents of Sector 17 were slowly suffocating as the oxygen pumps to there were cut off.
Sinclair had explicitly explained how he added managed to seem as a cascading failure that was only barely contained. It sickened Abby to be one of the few who would know the truth and not for the first time she thought that she should play Jake's video on the Ark-wide channel.
However, Abby knew it was pointless to even consider that. Firstly, she was sure that people would revolt against the Council. The simple fact that the residents of Sector 17–which contained mostly those in low-priority careers– were not given a choice and were executed just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Distrust and malcontent would rise and chaos would reign the Ark until the situation was calmed down either by a new Chancellor being elected or by more death. It wouldn't surprise Abby that in the event of a revolt that the Guard would be instructed to shoot to kill.
She'd imagine Jaha and Kane would justify it by saying it would keep the Ark alive for longer and that the rebels would have been floated regardless.
Speaking of rebels, Abby turned her attention to Diana who sat across from her face engrossed in a book that appeared to be written by someone with the surname Morgan.
Abby cleared her throat and said,"What did you do?"
Diana put her book down and Abby was surprised to see the word 'Centum' emblazoned across the front of the book.
Diana noticed Abby looking at the book and smiled radiantly,"It's Latin. It's a tradition within my family to learn how to speak. One started by the woman who saved the remnants of the human race. Her journals give an interesting insight into her mind. She was truly brilliant."
Abby snorted and muttered,"That may be. However, let's not forget her crimes against humanity. Those serums she developed couldn't have been made on her first try. It was also her obsession with them that led to The Era–"
"Careful Abby,"uttered Diana as her eyes gained a dark glint and Abby felt the hairs on her neck raise as she saw steam begin to waft off the shoulders of Diana,"You know that one is not allowed to speak of that time. It's a pretty serious offence its practically treason after all."
Abby's eyes sharpened at this and she felt a flash of anger at Diana's words.
"You dare speak of treason,"declared Abby her voice thick with disgust as she looked at Diana who seemed nonchalant in the face of Abby's rage.
It infuriated Abby.
"You're plotting to overthrow Jaha and yet you try to speak to me about treason? That's rich even from you,"said Abby and she felt a measure of vindication as she saw the anher that flashed across Diana's face before it was hidden by a smirk.
"I see you're not scared to speak your mind Abby. I could do with more people like you"said Diana before her tone turned cold,"However that doesn't mean you should forget your place. The only reason I haven't had you killed is that you still have some use. Don't forget it."
Again the steam billowed from Diana's shoulders, but this time even across the table Abby could feel the sheer heat of the steam even seated across the table.
Abby took a moment to calm herself and she sagged in submission and fear that was more genuine than Abby cared to realise.
"I'm sorry Diana. It's just today has been particularly frustrating,"assured Abby as she decided to finally bring up why she came here uninvited,"I thought I had been caught helping Raven, but when I saw Councilor Fuji on-screen...I knew you had something to do with it. I want to know what you did?"
Diana nodded before she said,"I suppose that's understandable. To say that I'm seeking vengeance on Jaha would not be a lie, but it's not the whole truth."
Abby noted that Diana's eyes flashed with more anger than she'd ever seen in anyone's eyes and the foreboding feeling in Abby's stomach began to grow.
"I was ousted from my position as Chancellor and all because I did what was necessary. The constant floatings and stringent rationing is all that allowed us to survive the disaster that struck the hydroponic farm. I was seen as the bad guy. I was the one who made sure we survived the farm's collapse. I was the one who floated my own husband for planting the fungus that ravaged the farm and yet I was still the villain."
Diana's eyes had lost their anger and were once again calm and devoid of emotions. She held a hand and a ball of water began to form above it. She began to shape the ball as she had the last time Abby was here.
Abby was only barely aware of it though as Diana once again began to speak," It was humiliating to have lost to Thelonious. The pin ripped off my jacket and my belongings thrown into a smaller room were the only thanks I received for my service. I swore that I would rise again and all I needed was the right moment. When I received word from one of my subordinates that the delinquents were to be sent to the ground I believed that I had a chance to regain my position. So I made a plan for Jaha to be assassinated by someone who both had reason to hate Jaha and to go the ground."
Understanding and disbelief dawned in Abby's mind as she uttered the name of the person that immediately fit the profile laid out by Diana.
"Bellamy Blake."
"Yes, the overprotective big brother who fell from grace and had a chance to both continue to protect his sister and kill the man who killed his mother. I didn't approach him directly though and I truthfully believed that once that dropship was launched the 100 were essentially dead. I framed Bellamy for the theft of the remaining Darwin nanobots and thought nothing of it until I heard that the 100 hadn't succumbed to the Earth. I knew that there was a way to turn this to my favour."
Abby felt an uneasy feeling begin to well up inside her as Diana revealed just how far low she had gone in her plot for revenge.
"The delinquents were beginning to remove their wristbands, but there hadn't been any signs of the radiation having killed them. We all suspected that they were acting out against the Ark and for a time it appeared that we were getting close to returning to the ground. I couldn't let that happen lest Bellamy reveal all in a bid to save his own skin when the Ark came down. So I enlisted the help of my most trusted ally. He had also taken an injection of Darwin nanobots and his power is what enabled the final steps of my plan to be taken."
Diana paused and Abby very nearly screamed as the lady opposite her seemed to take her time in continuing her explaination. Finally, right as the pyramid of water floating above Diana's hand flattened into a disc Diana continued her explaination,"You see he gained the ability to completely control any form of technology he comes into contact with. He is able to do many things, but the one that is valid here is his ability to manipulate the output and functioning of technology. This ability is what enabled him to make it seem as though all of the 100 had died and also frame Fuji for aiding Raven. "
Abby was thunderstruck by the revelation that Diana had made and her faces scrunched up in disbelief and confusion. Diana smiled before she said glibly,"I see you're still not sure of what I'm saying. I told my guy to make it seem like the 100 had died. He was able to intercept the signals being sent by the wristbands and make them broadcast that the 100 had died."
Abby felt hope rise up in her as she realised the implications of Diana's statement.
Diana looked at her and said,"Yes, they are alive. I had him route the actual signals to my tablet from the beginning and the majority of them have removed their wristbands by now, but they all showed normal vital signs beforehand except for five of them. There are also signs pointing that they've found water and food. However, I think the most interesting part is that they've shown some other changes. Their powers have begun to manifest and it's amazing especially the records I have for Clarke."
Abby flinched at the mention of her daughter and hung on to every word Diana had to say.
"Her brain activity is off the charts and her heart rate and body temperature has at times shot extremely high. It's safe to say that the Novus injection is a success."
Abby took a moment to process all of that and she put aside the elation she felt at hearing that her daughter was still alive and Abby looked at Diana in the eyes before she asked something that had been bothering her.
"Something still doesn't make sense,"said Abby as she voiced her concern,"Why did you have Fuji framed in place of me? Also, what is your endgame? All you've said us what you've done to get here. You haven't mentioned what you plan to do now?"
Diana paused as if wondering to answer before she said,"I framed Fuji because he thought he could take me down. When I recruited you, I had already secured the support of Kaplan, Muir, Cole and Fuji. Fuji tried to blackmail me after I became aware of your plot. He wished to become Chancellor instead and I took care of that. He had recorded one of our conversations just like this. I like ambition in my followers, but not too much so I got him stripped of his rank. I kept you alive because we both know how popular you are and I'll need your support for when I commandeer the Ark before our return to Earth."
In a dark corner of Abby's mind she found herself praising Diana for her meticulously executed plan. She had managed to effectively gain control of the Council and by managing to get Fuji locked up she had both eliminated a threat and sent a message that she wasn't to be trifled with.
It made her realise that perhaps getting this close to Diana had been a mistake as she had an epiphany about why the council had all voted for the Culling.
As if on cue, alarms began to blare outside the room and neither occupant moved. The voice of Sinclair came over the Ark-wide channel as he began to warn people of a massive systems failure in Sector 17.
Abby just barely managed to block out the sound of the siren as she looked at Diana who seemed uncaring at just what those alarms meant.
"You want to make Jaha into a scapegoat,"said Abby before continuing her thoughts out loud,"Your people are in high places. They'll be able to spread the truth of the 100 and you forced the Council to vote for the Culling so that once Sector 17 was wiped out you would then expose that the Earth is habitable and also expose the Culling. This would force Jaha to step down and I would back your nomination to Chancellor in the case of an election and with the Council on your side you would be in full control of the Ark. You'd then execute Project Exodus and be the hero that brought the human race back to the ground."
Diana smiled and said,"Well that was the plan, but I've thought better of it. The only thing you missed is something that only Jaha and I know. You see Project Exodus can't take us all to the ground. So I decided to instead cause massive unrest with these revelations while me and my people take an Exodus ship to the ground during the chaos. I know that the Exodus ship leaving would cause massive damage to the Ark and I suppose there'll be some loss of life, but that's fine. So I suppose I lied to you...I don't need you for your support. I need you for your medical expertise when we return to Earth. "
Diana looked at her large bay window as she caught sight of something odd. She was elated to see what looked like a fleet of flares streaking across the Earth. Abby was at her side and she too saw the flares and she knew it could mean one thing.
"They're alive,"said Abby in awe as she tracked the path of the flares. Whatever doubts she'd had about Diana telling the truth were now and truly gone.
Diana smirked at the sight,"That couldn't have come at a better time. I'm pretty sure that we aren't the only ones to have seen this. It's a shame that Sector 17 must be a graveyard by now. I wonder if Thelonious will be able to live with himself after this."
A knock at the door came and to Abby's surprise Commander Shumway was the one behind it. She idly noted that the alarms had turned off.
"Pardon for the intrusion, but Chancellor Jaha has called for an emergency council meeting,"said the man looking directly at Abby.
Abby thanked the man and before she could leave to follow she heard Diana say,"Michael, stay behind. I'm sure Abby can find her way back to the Council room."
Abby felt an intense wave of anxiety rush over as she realised the magnitude of what Diana had said. Clearly, Shumway wasn't taking his orders from Kane anymore.
In fact, she suspected that Shumway was Diana's partner that had enabled much of her scheme to come to fruition. Thus, Abby schooled her features and tried to not give any outward clues to her thoughts.
Abby closed the door behind her and she was completely unaware of the predatory gaze of Diana that had followed her on her way out.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
There was an uneasy feel to the Ark noted Kane as he began to make his way to the Council Room and he was sure he knew why.
The people of the Ark who had all been in bed were huddled together in clusters and Kane fought down the guilt that erupted as he heard snippets of conversation about the death of Sector 17.
People had lost fathers, mothers, children and friends in a freak accident. They had been told of the 'error' that had occurred, but it was cold comfort for those who had lost someone.
It was especially painful for Kane to walk through these halls after hearing what one of the Guards had told him. The 100 were alive. The flares that had been seen soaring across the Earth had made major news and even now as Kane was making his way to the Council Room he was able to hear some people talking about the incident.
Kane was about to turn the last corner he needed to in order to reach the Council Room and he was surprised to see that Abby was waiting for him outside the Room.
He cautiously approached her and noted the panicky and yet distracted look she had. Abby turned towards him and her eyes seemed to focus before she said something that made the suppresed guilt within Kane permeate his entire being.
"I'm sure you're aware that the 100 are alive. I was in Diana's room when I saw them,"whispered Abby as she counted her lucky stars that she and Kane were the first to the Council Room,"That's not important though. The important thing is Diana. She's planning a rebellion. She used the Darwin nanobots to arm some of her people and one of them was able to manipulate the information we were receiving from the ground."
Marcus managed to suppress his guilt in the face of this information and said calmly,"Abby, that's a serious accusation. Diana is a respected member of the Ark and this is no small matter. What proof do you have?"
Abby sighed as she heard the admittedly understandable disbelief and suspicion in Marcus' voice.
"She recruited me for her rebellion."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Octavia felt nauseous. She felt rope digging into her wrists and ankles and she also vaguely realised that she was being carried.
Slowly, the memories of what had happened came back to had been doing her rounds when she heard something fly through the air. Her crystal armour had activated on it's own and Octavia was grateful for it since a spear had bounced off of her chest.
Immediately, Octavia had shot shards of crystal into the trees and she was rewarded when she heard a low groan of pain.
To her surprise, two people jumped down from the top of the branches. The one responsible for the groan of pain she'd heard earlier ripped the shards out from where they'd dug into his arms.
Octavia remembered how she felt confident about taking the two of them considering how she'd beaten a Grounder earlier in the day without much fuss.
It had only taken her a few seconds to realise that the two warriors were of a different breed and her armour had saved her from many deadly blows from their swords.
The finishing blow had come when one of the Grounders had taken in a deep breath and Octavia had only had thd time to blink before what felt like an extremely strong wind had slammed into her.
Octavia had been sent tumbling head over heels through the forest before she had slammed into a tree hard. Octavia tried to raise herself, but she felt pain flash all over her body. Her armour was now adorned in slight hairline cracks and her body was flickering in and out of view.
Suddenly, an object had slammed into the ground and released a spray of dust. Octavia had reflexively inhaled and immediately had felt the effects as she had begun to lose consciousness.
Octavia snapped out of her reverie and she looked up at the sky to get a gauge of the time and she was amazed to see Raven's flares zipping across the sky.
The sight had caused adrenaline to start pumping through her veins and Octavia tried to activate her armour despite being bound.
To her horror, her armour didn't appear and her predicament seemed to have been noticed by her captors one of who smiled so viciously that it sent chills down her spine.