Chapter 3 - A Deadly Alliance

It was only now a day before the 75th games. Snow became more fearful as each day passed. As Snow was watching the tributes give their interviews on a television set from his personal suite, the mystic appeared behind him.

As the mystic calmly entered Snow's personal chamber, he said "I am humbled that a man as powerful as yourself would seek out a forgotten seer of the lost arts."

Snow had a look like he wanted to get right down to business, he had no time to spare on self glorifying boasting. Snow said, "let's make introductions brief, I have no time for patronizing."

The mystic replied, "right down to business, I like that. The name's Quan Chi."

Snow: "I am sure my staff has brief you on our tradition of the Hunger Games. Tell me, what do you foresee as the outcome?"

Quan Chi glanced at monitor to see the contestants holding hands in unity. He condescendingly answered, "You summon me for what you already know, but are afraid to admit. The contestants in this year's game already demonstrated the will to defy 23 other contestants they were forced to fight against. What makes you think they don't have the will to defy you?"

Snow finally got the reaffirmation he was afraid to hear, that games would one day bring about his undoing. Quan Chi continuing his verbal critique, "At first these games made the districts fearful and coerced them into obedience. But now these games have become routine. Perceptions have evolved since then. Some now see it as a way to gain pride and fame. Or even as a means to feed their families. Your citizens see it as an entertaining pastime. And there will be individuals who will see the games as the perfect tool to spark insurrection."

Listening to Quan Chi's words, Snow stared at him ferociously to see what he was trying to get at. Quan Chi continued, "Common sense will tell you after all these years of televising such an event, someone will get the bright idea to use the publicity the games generate as propaganda." Quan Chi paused his speech to examine the reaction on Snow's face see Snow was disturbed then continued, "... for their own agenda. And now that your society so greatly adores these games, you can't stop them without protest. Nor can you execute all the contestants without triggering another massive uprising."

Snow was losing his composure listening to the sorcerer speak. What bothered Snow was deep down Quan Chi spoke the truth. As much as the Hunger Games are a tool to intimidate the populace, the games are also a tool for the participates to influence all of Panem. For many years Snow denied and repressed his unconscious fears that the game's publicity will be the catalyst for Capitol's downfall. However as the President, Snow could no longer afford to dwell on why the Hunger Games will cause his inevitable demise. What the President needed right now was solutions not a diagnosis. Snow jumped right out of his seat and demanded from the sorcerer for a panacea.

President Snow demanded, "I refuse to let these games undermine my authority. I summoned you to give me answers, not to chastise me about my impeding downfall. I demand to know how to fix this predicament that I am in!"

After hearing Snow loose his calm and cool, Quan Chi knew he had broken him down. Snow was at his mercy, but kept trying to repress his unconscious fear to maintain his presence of power. Quan Chi replied with confidence, "The solution to your problem is fairly simple. Let me ask you a rhetorical question, is the Capitol exempt from the rules of the quarter quells?"

Snow a bit puzzled responded, "The Capitol doesn't send tributes into these games." After a brief pause and recollection Snow recalled, "The last time I heard the Capitol participating in these games was the 3rd Hunger Games. However, we never called them tributes, instead they were called enforcers. They were sent to represent the Capitol and to torment tributes from the districts ensuring they either fight each other or be killed by the Capitol. However that administration knew the risk of sending a Capitol representative into the games. Once the Capitol was able to create mutts for the games and rig the arena with hazards, it no longer needed enforces for the games. All of this was a long time ago, before I was born."

Quan Chi continued his train of thought, "And I was informed the Capitol enforcers won the first three games before it decided to stop sending contestants, thus theoretically that means it is obliged to participate in the 75th quarter quell."

Snow paused, realizing Quan Chi was corrected. Quan Chi continued with his strategy, "Allow the Capitol to participate in this year games. If the districts want to unite behind the tributes, give the Capitol someone to rally behind. Show them, that even the mightiest cannot withstand the onslaught of the Capitol."

Snow listened intensely and very much liked the idea. Year after year, the games have turned no name teenagers from subservient territories into celebrities. It was as though the Capitol began worshiping them, instead of the other way around. But the more Snow contemplated the idea, he was afraid that if the Capitol did indeed enter the games they would risk appearing weak. The more he thought about it, the more he became hesitant. He was afraid a Capitol contestant would be a #1 target rallying the tributes to team up and eliminate him first. If a tribute representing the Capitol were to be in the games, he must win. Snow deeply wanted to show to the districts the power of the Capitol, so that it may re-instill obedience back into the populace. But Snow didn't have a person that could get the job done.

Snow commented on Quan Chi's idea, "An interesting solution, but I don't have anyone I feel confident enough that will ensure a Capitol victory in the games. For the past 72 years, the Capitol has never trained a person for such a purpose. I would need to produce a tribute by tomorrow."

Quan Chi knew he had Snow where he wanted him. Snow was desperate for a solution, and Quan Chi provided him with one. Snow needed a Capitol victor in the games to reassert the Capitol's dominance, but had no worthy candidates for this position. He could see that Snow had no other choice but to rely on Quan Chi's assistance. Quan Chi responded to Snows concerns with, "Well you are in luck, I have a kombatant who can mercilessly annihilate your opponents. He will guarantee a FLAWLESS VICTORY for the Capitol!"

These words caught Snow's attention. And Quan Chi was in position to capitalize, "Now before I lend you my assistance, lets negotiate the terms of our deal..."