Tuesday, 7/10/2149
As the sun dipped towards the horizon, painting the sky with a fiery spectrum of reds and oranges, its warm embrace enveloped our humble camp, setting the surrounding mountains ablaze with a golden hue.
The crackling of the campfire intertwined with the distant calls of nocturnal creatures, creating a symphony of the wild. Reflecting on the day's exhilarating escapades, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and gratitude for the untamed beauty that surrounded us.
The negotiations with the commander had stretched into the afternoon, leaving a sense of anticipation for what lay ahead. With a radio crafted by Raven specifically for this mission, I reached out to Bellamy back at our camp, ensuring him of our safety for the night.
This morning, amidst the murmurs of breakfast being savoured by our companions, I asked Bellamy to bring one of the speakers out of the dropship so everyone could hear me
"as many of you know I am currently negotiating with the commander about both peace and trade. I have come to the conclusion for us to not have to leave the forest we are currently living in we must separate ourselves from the Ark, if we become our own clan we can join the coalition which means becoming the 13th clan and being under the commander's protections, ill explain more about it once I'm home but for now we need to vote all in favour of separating ourselves from the ark and becoming the 13th clan of the coalition please raise your hand so Bellamy can count your vote and since Bellamy is not with me his vote counts too" A moment of hushed anticipation settled over us like a thick fog, amplifying the weight of our decision.
"Seventy-eight people," Bellamy declares, breaking the silence and igniting a flicker of hope within the crowd.
"anyone who does not think this is a good idea I will explain more in-depth once I am back home, I will see you all tonight" With a decisive click, I powered down the radio, turning to face the expectant gazes within the tent.
"Considering our numbers - a hundred and one strong - the response was favourable," Octavia remarked, her eyes bright with shared determination. I agree with her
"I also wish to change our clan name, I know we came from the sky so the name skaikru makes sense but I want to be known differently in this life and skaikru has many bad memories for those who remember"
"so what's our new name going to be" Raven asks
"I was thinking Sky Valley Clan or Skai Kliron Kru" I can see many confused faces, "I know trikru holds the valley around the mountain, I know Indra would happily hand that land over to us" I look to Indra who is frowning but does slowly nod
"trikru only hold that land in fear of bandits or lawless taking over, I think this is a fair trade, you move out of trikru and we give you the valley around the mountain"
"but only after we defeat the mountain," Heda Lexa's acknowledgment solidified the pact, drawing nods of agreement.
Stepping out of Heda Lexa's tent, I witnessed the branding ritual in motion.
Heda Lexa's voice cut through the jubilant din, echoing our transformation. "Let it be known that these sky-born souls are now the Skai Kliron Kru, the 13th proud clan of our coalition."
The searing mark etched into my skin served as a badge of honour, a reminder of the unity and purpose that now pulsed through our ranks.
"Try not to drink too much before we leave for the camp tonight," I advised Raven, Wells, and Octavia, amidst the jubilant festivities marked by an extravagant array of delectable dishes and a plethora of enticing drinks. The air pulsated with vibrant energy as Skai Kliron Kru celebrated their rebirth, revelling in the tantalizing flavours that hinted at the adventures and endless possibilities awaiting us on the horizon.
I catch Octavia's eye, her gaze filled with a mix of pride and determination.
"I never thought I'd see the day we'd break away from the Ark," Octavia says, a hint of disbelief in her voice.
"We've come a long way since we landed on Earth," I reply, a sense of satisfaction washing over me.
Raven joins the conversation, her eyes shining with excitement. "Skai Kliron Kru has a nice ring to it. It feels like a fresh start for all of us."
In agreement, I breathed a sigh of relief; the weight of uncertainty lifted as our clan charted a clear course forward. Amidst the festivities, I mingled with comrades, sharing laughter and tales of our shared odyssey.
As twilight painted the sky in hues of rose and gold, I gathered our entourage.
"Heda, we thank you for this celebration, but we must head back to the rest of our people" Heda gives me one of her rare smiles
"The coalition is thankful you are back among its people, none more than Onya, Indra, and me", Heda expressed, clasping forearms in a gesture of mutual respect.
"Leidon Orella, look out for my riders in a few days, they carry gifts for joining the coalition" Heda's eyes sparkled with a promise.
"Leidon Heda, I will and Mochof" I reciprocated the sentiment, and together, we parted ways amidst a backdrop of camaraderie.
As two horses were brought forth for our journey back, a young warrior presented us with a token of appreciation.
"This is for Chief Orella and Ambassador Wells for their many trips to polis", a young warrior says slowly and hesitantly as he is obviously a warrior in training
"Mockof, Gona" He lights up with a wide, infectious grin before striding confidently back to a weathered warrior who must be his mentor, his Fos
Mounted on horseback, flanked by Wells and Octavia, we rode back towards our camp, the night air alive with the echoes of our new beginning.
The rhythmic pounding of hooves on earth blended with the symphony of chirping crickets and howling wolves, enveloping us in a cloak of exhilaration and anticipation for the journey ahead.