Reality Crisis

Jackson still wasn't sure whether or not he'd made the right decision. He didn't like or trust Belia, and he certainly didn't know or trust Eric Northman or Erik Lehnsherr. And yet, there were people that couldn't help who their leaders were. People who'd chosen the best they could in these dark times. People that were possibly the last on this world. In all of his travels, he'd yet to find any other signs of life. That didn't mean that they weren't there on perhaps the other side of the world, but it did no good to delve into those sorts of what ifs, did it? All that he knew was that he wanted to protect as many members of the human race as he could. Even if that meant sharing one of the safe spaces that his group had found. He just had to hope that they didn't bring trouble on their heels.

The caravan was loaded up. Spare tents were found for as many as he could manage and Belia managed to supply additional tents. Even so, some would have to sleep in the vehicles that were joining them. Others still would have to share tents where they would possibly prefer not to.

It would be a tough journey, a long journey. But in the end, it would hopefully be worth it.

He doled out jobs to those within his group as always and gave lists of jobs to each of the leaders to pass on to their people. They would have to comply in their own way but he had no interest in power struggles while on the road. If they got caught up in the dirty politics of it all, they could all perish.

It was just like the first cataclysm. Buildings disappearing, bringing people on the street nearby with them. Not to mention the people inside. The casualties were huge. And given the tiny population on this world, Belia wasn't sure that their race could survive much more.

On a more personal level, she was blocking out memories of that first disaster and all it had claimed of hers. A husband, children, a life that was so alien to her that it must have been someone else living it. Belia Ohorek certainly wasn't that woman anymore.

No, she'd bartered away much in the way of her humanity and beliefs in fighting tooth and nail to ensure that her people survived. She had no regrets but that didn't mean that she particularly enjoyed what she'd become. Or what had become of her life.

She spent as little time as possible musing on such thoughts and instead went into action. The cities they'd all built in this area were no longer secure. Once the reality started ripping apart, they would have to move on and find a more stable spot and hope that the tears didn't catch up with them again. All the while knowing that it was just a matter of time. They could buy themselves days or weeks, possibly even months, if they moved fast enough.

She sent out messengers to Sanctuary and New Troy and even requested that the Superboy try to find Jackson. If anyone could help them find a new home, it would be Jackson.

And then she waited.

Jackson had radioed ahead to let her know that his group was stopping to do some trading. Belia tolerated the man, but she couldn’t say no to trades of things that Jackson’s small band of travelers found out in the wild. It saved her from sending men out into the dangers of the wild to find treasures themselves. And it helped Jackson’s people to continue surviving.

Regardless of her feelings about their leader, she still wanted to do what could be done to ensure that the human race continued on.

This time around, Belia’s interest was piqued by the visit. She’d heard a rumor that Jackson had some of the chosen in his midst. She was most anxious to meet them and see if she could persuade them to take up residence at die Festung. She could offer far more in the way of protection and comfort than Jackson could after all.

( It Takes Two to Tango )

There were more new people in the camp. Four in one day. This was quite a busy day, Jackson reflected. He wasn't unhappy that Fred had brought new people into the camp. In fact, he would offer protection to any who were willing to work to earn their keep.

However, he worried about the safety of the chosen few. He knew full well what was going on in New Troy and he didn't trust Belia's agenda regarding the interdimensional visitors either. He would offer them protection as long as he could, but he feared that his small band of travelers wouldn't be enough for Dr. Lucius' or Ms. Ohorek's forces or for any of the other forces at work that might want to get to them.

All the same, he was ever the stoic leader, hiding his worry behind a calm expression as he settled into the tent used for meetings and waited to meet with the two newest arrivals.