Chapter Six
**Logan's POV**
Logan was getting irritated.
Chancellor Jaha had been talking for ten minutes straight, and every word out of his mouth was an excuse wrapped in political double, speak.
Finally, Logan interrupted what was sure to be an epic speech about how they'd had to endure, blah, blah, blah.
"Look, bub," Logan said, his voice flat and dangerous. "I don't give a shit. You say you're out of air and this was the only way? *Fine.* You say this is how you've had to instill discipline up there? *Great.*"
He leaned closer to the monitor, eyes locked on Jaha's face.
"But don't you for one second tell me you couldn't have spared at least *some* food, water, tools, hell, even empty containers to carry something, for fuck's sake. You sent them down here with nothing but their clothes and a health monitor."
His voice rose despite his best efforts to stay calm.
"Sure, you taught them whatever pathetic 'Earth Skills' you might know, but that was it. You never expected these kids to survive. And if they did somehow survive the radiation, you have no practical way of saving them if they encounter a life, or, death situation, which they're in *right now* without at least days of prep. Days in which time these kids would be *dead!*"
Logan stopped, forced himself to breathe, looked down at his hands.
The atmosphere grew quiet as kids nearby were listening, shocked that of all people to defend them, to stand up for them, it was a grounder and not one of there own up there.
When he looked back up, his voice was quieter but no less intense.
"You're supposed to be the adults, your first job is their lives and security, children should always come first, they are our future, they are our legacy.
He shook his head.
"If you knew anything about the past, you'd see that some of the greatest minds in history, have come from the same outcasts you dumped alone on a world that's alien to them."
Logan looked straight into the camera, straight into Jaha's eyes.
"If your people make it down here, your laws no longer apply to anything on the ground, bub. Your people will have to adapt."
The arrogant prick just smiled.
"We'll see," Jaha said.
Logan ended the transmission before he could put his fist through the equipment. Tempting but no some of the kids still had family that loved them up there, and he wouldn't deprive them of the chance to talk.
---
An hour later, after he'd cooled his head and taken a walk through the woods to burn off the rage, Logan walked back into camp and told everyone to gather.
These kids were going to get a crash course in survival.
Whether they wanted one or not.
He found a makeshift table—really just a flat piece of salvaged metal propped on crates—and started laying out herbs and plants, lined up and separated by type.
Then he laid down an animal hide map he'd made himself years ago, showing the local terrain, water sources, and dangerous areas.
Next came tools: small digging shovels, a spiel for working hides, fishing line, and hooks.
Finally, he laid out a signal horn and some bits of armor plating he'd brought from his hut.
Once Bellamy and Clarke had gathered all the kids, and it took some doing, herding teenagers was like herding cats, Logan started his lesson.
"Alright, kids. I'm going to give you a rundown of plants around the area that can help you out. Pay attention. This could save your life."
He pointed to each plant as he spoke:
"**Chamomile**: Used for anxiety, relaxation, and reducing inflammation.
**Echinacea**: Known for treating colds, flu, and supporting immune health.
**Lavender**: Promotes relaxation, eases headaches, and has antiseptic properties.
**Peppermint**: Aids digestion, reduces bloating, and helps alleviate headaches.
**Garlic**: Known for immune-boosting and antimicrobial properties.
**Ginger**: Eases nausea and motion sickness.
**Saint John's Wort**: Often used for mild to moderate depression.
**Valerian Root**: Used for treating insomnia and anxiety.
**Calendula**: Used for skin irritation and wound healing.
**Lemon Balm**: Known for its calming effects and improving sleep.
**Rosemary**: Used to improve circulation and reduce headaches.
**Thyme**: Used for respiratory issues and congestion.
**Ginkgo**: Used for memory, asthma, and bronchitis.
**Milk Thistle**: Supports liver health and manages high cholesterol."
He paused, scanning the crowd to make sure they were actually listening.
Most were. A few were whispering to each other. He filed those names away for later.
"Now, some of these grow native to the area. Some you'll trade for at villages or with traveling traders. Learn what they look like. Learn where they grow. Know the difference between what helps and what kills."
Next, Logan picked up the tools and demonstrated their uses—how to dig without breaking the blade, how to work a hide properly so it didn't rot, how to set snares and fish traps.
Then he moved to the armor pieces.
"Down here a person's armor is their pride," he said, holding up a pauldron. "The pauldrons one signifies the clan you were born into and the other, the master you trained under. On the chest, there's another symbol for who you serve directly."
He pointed to the arm pieces.
"On your left arm greave, you wear the symbol of your married partner. On your right greave, you wear your mark, your personal symbol."
"Shields are important, but they're also decorated to be as bright as possible. To attract attention. Warriors who try to make names for themselves show they have no fear by standing out on the battlefield."
*Idiots,* Logan thought but didn't say. *All it does is make you an easier target.*
"Now," Logan said, his voice dropping to something more serious. "I'm taking Bellamy and Clarke to a meeting tomorrow. The goal is to end the bloodshed. I promise to keep both of them safe."
Some of the kids looked uneasy.
"While we're gone, the rest of you have a very important job. You're going to gather as much of these herbs as you can for trade. You're going to hunt. You're going to prove you can survive without me standing over your shoulder."
He let that sink in.
"With Lincoln and me requesting this meeting, no one will be attacked. If you see a Grounder, that means they *wanted* to be seen. They have a message. So *please* do not attack them."
He started pointing to specific kids, calling them by name, assigning tasks.
Some of them looked shocked that he knew their names.
"I listened," Logan said simply when someone asked. "I paid attention. That's something you all need to learn. How to remember things when your adrenaline is up. How to pay attention to details. Because details in survival matter. They're the difference between living and dying."
The crowd started to disperse, kids breaking off into their assigned groups, talking amongst themselves with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
That's when a lone figure walked up.
Finn.
Logan was glad to see the kid was on the mend, but not happy at all that he was up and moving so soon after getting stabbed *and* poisoned.
*These kids have no self-preservation skills whatsoever.*
The first words out of Finn's mouth confused him.
"I want to go with you tomorrow. To the meeting."
Logan stared at him.
"Kid, you just got stabbed two days ago."
"I'm fine."
"You were *poisoned.*"
"I feel fine."
Logan crossed his arms. "Why?"
Finn hesitated, then met his eyes. "Because I think I can Help."
Logan studied him for a long moment.
The kid was serious. Genuinely serious.
"Look kid, this is not a game," Logan pointed out.
Finn started to protest but Logan stopped him.
"This is a meeting with someone who is a leader, so far those two have showed me there leadership abilities, I'm sorry kid but tomorrow is far too important to fuck up with Unknowns, and if we show up with more people then I promised it shows me or your people to be a liars, and they will not make peace with liars."
Logan sighed, rubbed his face with one hand.
"Tell ya what, while I'm gone if you can organize this camp of wondering cats into something functional, ill reconsider bringing you next time, deal?"
Finn nodded, not quiet happy but he felt that doing something useful was better then sitting around. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," Logan muttered. "You might not survive babysitting this bunch."
Finn paled slightly but didn't back down.
Logan had to give him credit for that, at least.
The kid had guts.
Stupid, self-destructive guts, but guts nonetheless.
"Get some rest," Logan said. "And for God's sake, eat something. You look like death."
Finn nodded and limped away, clearly trying to hide how much pain he was in.
Logan watched him go, shook his head, and wondered, not for the first time, how any of these kids had survived this long.
Tomorrow was going to be interesting.
And by interesting, he meant probably a complete disaster.
But that was tomorrow's problem.
Tonight, he had to make sure these kids actually gathered the right herbs and didn't accidentally poison themselves.
*Babysitting,* he thought again.
But as he watched them work, saw them actually *trying* to learn, saw the way they looked at him with something between fear and hope...
Well.
Maybe it wasn't the worst way to spend his time.