Disclaimer:
I do not own anything. Suzanne Collins owns the characters and the Hunger Games trilogy.
Author's Note:
I have to warn you all that there are some graphic scenes in this chapter and it is important that if you are under 18 or do not have parent/guardian permission, do not read.
Everything written has been read and approved by both myself and my Co-writer.
Thank you to my Co-Writer, 3vlee, for using you wonderful talent to help me with this story.
Please review and as always
ENJOY!
Chapter 10
Orphans and Evacs:
Cato's squad lands in a field on the out skirts of District 3.
Gale grabs his pack to go with his teams into the district and get as many as possible out of there.
Cato then tells the medics get ready for incoming as he leaves to help.
The squad that was in district 4 has just arrived and as he disembarks from his plane he realizes its an old friend, Marty from my neighborhood who went into the Peace Keeper program after Chris did.
"Marty! Over here."
"Hey Cato. Ok, 2nd Commander Briggs where do you want me?"
"Marty it's me, Cato. What's going on?"
Marty looks at him then chuckles.
"You never could take a joke, Cato. Where do you need me buddy?"
"I need you in this sector. (in all seriousness in his voice) Marty we may have less than an hour before it hits."
"Right. Meet you back in 45."
After giving the rest of the squads their sections, I go back and radio to get an update on district 5. The other squads there are still getting to people as the Mayors do what they can to save the population of the district.
Between Gale's team getting the able bodied population into the forest to be driven at the rendezvous point to district 13 and his air support the goal was to get has many out of there as possible. At this point about 45% percent have been evacuated to safety out of both districts but Cato being an over achiever, wanted the numbers higher. However when Cato himself goes into a sector nothing could've prepared him for what he saw.
As he went house by house, helped the elderly and little kids who were terrified that they were going to die shocked him to his core. The only thing that kept him sane was knowing that his family is safe and out of harm's way back in district 13.
As he returns with the first round of people Command radios in;
"Cato you got less than 15. Get out of there now!"
"Command we are still loading up people. I need Strike to buy me time."
"D-5 is requesting the same. They're coming but they may not get there in time."
"Have you heard from Ground?"
"Yes Team 1 cleared out and in route; Team 2 just leaving theirs. You don't have much time."
"Roger-out"
Cato then yells to the other pilots:
"GET EVERYBODY ON BOARD NOW! ORDER TO MOVE OUT! ORDERED TO MOVE OUT! GO! GO! GO!"
As everybody rushes the population on board, Cato sees the strike force coming and passing over them as the last of his passengers get on board. Cato gets on board barks to the co-pilot:
"GET THIS BIRD UP AND OUT OF HERE!"
"YES SIR!"
Cato straps in has the planes go up one by one. As they leave Cato starts hearing the sirens as the Capitol's forces arrives to flatten the district. He then radios the other squad who was with him. They got out of there but one plane is missing. His friend, Marty's.
Cato radios the strike force to see if they could find it. One from Marty's squad broke away did. The pilot told Cato that he can't tell if anybody made it out of the burnt out shell from where it was hit. Cato then told the pilot:
"Ping him."
As Cato mutters to himself
"Come on Marty. No dramatics today."
"Yes sir."
The pilot releases the pings to find Marty and most of the evacuee's making their way to Thresh's group. The strike force itself buying them time to get to them and get the people to safety.
At this point Cato breathes a sigh of relief as everyone is now accounted for. Then he gets a call from the Second High Commander who with another Victor of District 2, Camille and his brother Chris is in route to meet his bird. Cato knew what this was for. This was for his mother, Cate and his sister Clara.
This was the mission to rescue the remaining orphans from district 2. Cato then tells his co-pilot once you drop me off, you go to base period. Because they got there when they did, over 75% percent of both districts made out of there alive.
The pilot drops off Cato at a field half way between districts 2 and 3 where the other party is waiting to meet him. He transfers from plane to another tells the other to go. As Cato gets on board he get briefed by his Uncle Brutus who also informs him that Foxy will be accompanying them with Camille. This is when Brutus gets seriously pissed.
"Your uncle and I were told that your mother was adopted in an 'closed' adoption as an infant. You told us she was raised in an orphanage and your father was an only child. I just got done with investigating the matter. Their records indicated that no one ever looked for her when her brothers did. She was never adopted. On top of that the 'director' and 5 of the remaining staff have been abusing the children since they started there. I was the newest Victor at the time and would have raised her better than they sure did. Cato the orphanage lied to us so we would never be allowed to raise her."
"They lied to a Victor, officials in the district which is perjury and from what Cate has told me multiple counts of child abuse. (as Cato looks at him shocked) I was also informed by my contacts they've been using the older children there who are considered 'problem' children as human Lab Rats starting last year. For extra provisions for the district, the director gave Snow's medical science department permission to experiment using the 'older' children there. Now my protégé with this information given to you and how it effected your family including the rejection of your sister Clara, yours family's life what would you do about it?"
After remembering how he first treated Katniss, how he witness his mother's rape, the abuse his family bore at the hands of his father, Cato gave his Mentor his answer. With this information like his brother Cato knew that their lives could've been different. For within this information, he knew that he could've been the loving partner that Katniss deserved from the beginning.
Without hesitation the young protégé growled his answer that shook both Camille and Chris to their core:
"Burn it to the ground and the ones responsible for those crimes go with the building. After I give them a taste of their own medicine."
Brutus informs everyone:
"The toxin known as DeTaraliloxnurtoxin (pronounced De-Tara-li-lox-nur-tox-in) also known as de-tar-li, the one Camille been working on for an anti-dote has been tested on many of the children at that orphanage for years. This toxin does many things once introduced into the system including:
* Nerve damage from the tar-like poison that starves the blood of oxygen by attaching itself to the red blood cells.
* Loss of sight.
* High fevers for the body if not treated immediately can die of extreme heat stroke. (This can cook a human body from the inside out.)
* Loss of appetite
* Attacks the auto immune system so it becomes its own enemy.
* Hallucinations to the point of insanity from the pain that is to be endured.
If treatment is not done within 3 days death is almost guaranteed depending on how much toxin is in the system. Luckily you figured out the anti-dote for it Camille because the capitol hasn't yet. It the only reason why they haven't hit the districts with it."
It is here where the others realize that the reason why district 2 has been getting extra provisions all these years and it sickens them. For the Government has been using the children for their experiments and abuse. Then covering it up.
All are in shock and angered by the director and staff Brutus then informs them of the mission:
"Per the orders of the High First Commander of the Rebellion we are to go to the orphanage to do the following:
* Rescue the remaining children.
* Obtain all information on the experiments that were performed on the children. We are also to transmit all evidence from their hard drives to district 13. These will be used as evidence against the old government.
* We are to capture the director and those five staff members for immediate trial and sentencing there. And yes Cato I brought your 'toys' for the occasion.
* Upon completion of said task, we are to blow the building up with them in it. It will be their tomb.
Everybody please get prepared. You know what we have to do. Cato from here on you will be the ground and sea support since the orphanage is near a lake."
"Yes Sir."
Everybody breaks away from the meeting as they get ready.
Camille goes over her list of the anti-dote just in case. She also teaches her prize student how to mix it.
"Now we have sage, rue, mansanilla, violet ivy and plenty of liquid extract from the fast healing capitol medical salve. Oh goody all present and accounted for. Remember Foxy, to gently crush the sage leaves then the violet ivy before you add the rest equally, understand?"
"Yes Commander Everdeen."
While the co-pilot flies the plane, the Briggs Brothers talk in the weapons area as they get ready for this mission.
"Cato?"
"Yeah Chris?"
"Are you sure that you're ok with stopping at the twins with Katniss?"
"Chris you didn't see how sick she got during the whole thing. If I had known it was signs of pregnancy I wouldn't have been such an idiot. It was so hard on her on top of it she almost miscarries in the arena! I would've lost all three of them because they would've let her bleed out before helping her. So, if she doesn't right now I'm fine with it. Why?"
"Just wondering that's all."
"Are you going to let Brutus have first crack or, go all gun ho on them?"
Both look at each other... then say at the same time:
"Brutus have first crack."
Cato then muses out loud
"It'll be good to see Brutus in action again. We should probably take notes for when the girls start dating."
Chris starts laughing really loud. Then he gets really serious.
"Cato?"
"Yeah Chris what?"
"If something happens to me, I don't want Camille treating me."
"Why Chris? She's the best damn med..."
"Because I don't trust her. Not after what she did to you. My kid brother had to BEG ME not to tell his wife about the pain that he was suffering because he said IT WAS HIS PENANCE! That he'll TAKE IT LIKE A MAN BEFORE he PASSES OUT IN MY ARMS! Promise me Cato."
"Chris..."
"PROMISE ME!"
"Chris I've moved on. I trust her with my wife, my children, with Clara and my own life. (sighs) If it means so much to you, I won't let her treat you unless its life or, death. Your pride is not going to mean your life big brother. GET IT?"
"Ok, thanks."
They finish the preparations for the mission in silence.
Outside the prep room stood Brutus and Camille who overheard the conversation. Even though she had Cato's forgiveness for what she did all those months ago, she still did not have Chris's. As they walk on Brutus opens the topic up again.
"Camille you should have never chosen that course of treatment. It may have been effective and believe me from being there first hand I just was about to strangle the little shit so many times myself but YOU of all people should 've set it aside."
"Katniss is my baby. My anger and rage got the best of me Brutus. I did warn him and promised him if I ever heard that he mistreated her that I would make him wish that he was dead. I had to protect her some how or, die trying."
"And now you see the result, Camille. Our Air Commander doesn't trust any of the other First Commanders with his brother. He only trust Marcus, Haymitch, Johanna, Clove, Prim, Peeta, Thresh, myself and now Gale completely. And the only reason why he trusts Gale is cause Peeta, Prim and Mitch had a long talk with him about what happen in 11. That as the oldest surviving male member of his family, it was up to 'him' to restore Katniss honor from Cato's actions.
"Was I wrong in diagnosing the treatment needed for Cato, No. The course yes, I did warn him, the treatment no. Otherwise he would've lost that arm up to the shoulder. I'm surprised it healed as well as it did Brutus."
"(looks at her) Chris will trust you again, someday but it won't be for a long time."
As the two walk pass, the boys are lock and loading the guns along with getting the clays ready. Cato is deep in thought as it goes back to that day in 11 and the day that he was tied to a chair at home. Until Chris said:
"HEY! FOCUS Cato. You didn't have a chance to save mom that day from the son of a bitch. Stay focus Lil Brother. Today the day we get justice for her and Clara."
"That wasn't the first day I was thinking of Chris. I was no better than..."
"And YOU paid the price for it. Now focus... Today is about Justice for THIS family. Got it, GOOD."
*****WARNING DESCRIPTIONS OF VIOLENCE AND TORTURE WILL BE IN THIS SECTION OF THE CHAPTER.*****
******YOUR DESCERECTION IS HIGHLY ADVISED. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNIED.******
The plane lands behind the orphanage when Cato and Chris gets off to take their position in the back. Brutus with 2 rebel guards and a medic come through the front. As they come in the front, the brother come through the back. Within a matter of moments, they have the director, the five remaining wardens plus 2 'doctors' of the orphanage all tied up.
What Cato saw sicken him. For when he went into one of the rooms where one of the 'wardens' had a kid chained to a post being whip after seeing fresh burns. Cato stopped the warden through the medium of a clenched fist to her jaw. He then called to Brutus who sent Foxy in there.
As Cato brings the warden she breaks free from Cato only to run into Chris. The female warden pulls a knife and charges at Chris cutting him on his arm before, Cato shoots her in both legs then breaks both arm and all fingers. Whatever was on the knife hits Chris fast as he drops as a stone in under a minute.
"CHRIS!"
Chris is now mumbling incoherently at someone. Cato yells for Foxy then makes the decision if whatever toxin was on that knife, this hits fast. As Foxy arrives after freeing the child.
"Oh my God, Cato get him to the plane now."
"Foxy tell Commander Everdeen if she can't treat my brother, don't have him suffer."
Foxy nods, takes off with the child still in her arms as Cato fire carries his brother back to the plane.
In the plane Camille gets child lying down on his stomach and covers that area with her water coat mixture. Camille is already mixing the antidote to get it ready for Foxy. Showing her how to treat Commander Briggs, but Foxy has other ideas.
"Commander this stuff hits fast. I believe its a high concentrated version. Also Cato requested if I couldn't do it, that YOU treat his brother."
"Foxy, Chris made his brother promise That I wouldn't treat him."
As Cato walks in with Chris.
"I told him I promise as long has it wasn't life threatening. This is life threatening. The warden told me has I was dragging her to the others, that it was. So I gave her a slice with her own knife after I broke both legs, arms & all fingers."
"A little peeved there Cato?"
"Look what she did to that boy."
"I got Chris, Cato. Go get the kids."
"Yes Mam."
With that Cato leaves.
Camille quickly finishes the anti-dote for Chris. Yet Chris mumbles;
"No, no ,no..."
Then passes out.
"Chris quit being a big baby. You're going to have to trust me sometime whether you like it or, not. Foxy is right here. Foxy.."
"Yes Mam."
"Here's the mixture. I'm going to hold him down. When I say go, you will administer it."
"Yes Mam."
"Chris, stay with me... I haven't lost a family member yet and I'm not going to start now mister. For the record I don't give a rat's ass that you out rank me either. Foxy 3, 2, 1 NOW!"
As Chris nearly comes off the bed, Foxy applies the mixture. Between the two women they work fast to get the antidote into the bloodstream and stitch up the arm. Because they do not know the exact concentration, they will reapply again in 8 hours.
In the mean time, Foxy put an medicated IV into Chris's other arm as Camille uses another mixture of Violet Ivy and Capitol cure cream extract to now treat for infection & take away the pain in the arm. As she bandages Chris's arm again, he calms down and sleeps. Camille places compresses on his head to keep him cool as Foxy treats the boy for his injuries.
Camille looks at Foxy:
"If this works, I think we nipped this in the bud Foxy."
Meanwhile back in the orphanage:
Brutus has the 5 wardens tied in chair not giving a rats chassis if one is bleeding out while beating the tar out of the Director. Brutus got more information on why the district born orphans are being used.
The capitol wants to use the tributes for more aggressive games in the following years. So with developing the toxin to get rid of the weak ones, they were also developing a super tribute drug for the games and to train peace keepers with.
As Cato starts getting the little ones out one asks:
"Hey Mister, are you Bloody Brutal Cato?"
"Yes"
"Cool we're rescued by Cato."
As he walks the kids over to the plane, he gets an earful of information. He brings the first round of kids over he checks on his brother.
"Commander? How Chris doing?"
"He'll be fine in a day or, two. You were smart in getting him here fast Cato."
"Thanks Commander."
"Cato, Cato , Cato, you don't thank family. Now shoo, get going. I believe Brutus maybe having too much fun out there."
"Yes Mam."
And she wasn't far from the mark.
Inside Brutus gave the director the same that he gave every child that was here while the others transmitted all the records of the experiment over to 13's medical and intel files.
Brutus strapped the director to the post as Cato got another to take over in getting the remaing kids over to the hovercraft. However Cato stopped him from actually torturing him.
"Sir, these two received the worst from this man. From their descriptions, it also included sexual assault. Wouldn't it be a more befitting justice to have them return the favor in the form of a training exercise."
With a gleam in his eyes, Brutus thinks 'I taught him well.' He replies;
"Cato get all the older kids in here for instruction time."
Cato had left the two of the 'older' kids who got the worse of it from the director with Brutus so he can show the proper form and get the prep done on this improv lesson.
When the remaining children arrived there, everything was ready including the remaining staff members who are also tied to post with their backs bared. Brutus started showing the young man proper form with a blade when he looked at his nephew.
"Times wasting Cato. Get to work."
"YES SIR! Come on gang, we are giving you an instruction class in self-defense, interrogations and what to do with your bullies."
For over two hours they taught a group of 15 that were the remaing older children how to throw a knife, use a whip and how to 'return' the favor that their bully bestowed upon them. They also used branding irons for the burns that the wardens on the little kids. Both Camille and Foxy could hear the scream on the medical hold as they smiled in satisfaction while, treating the abused children. Then Camille stopped and gave Foxy a vial to give to Brutus.
"Foxy dear when you give this to the commander tell him its "for" the director's pain and the director is to drink it all."
"Yes Commander Everdeen."
As Foxy does as she was told.
"Remind me not to piss you off."
Camille looks over there sitting up wide awake is Chris Briggs. She goes over to check on his arm.
"How do you feel, Chris?"
"I've been better. Camille?"
"Yes Chris?"
"Thanks."
"You don't have to thank me Chris. That's what family is for. Rest now, you're at medical for over night at lease. "
"Yes Mam."
A few minutes later you can hear the screams get louder as Foxy returns. For what Camille gave to Brutus for the director was to make him feel the pain 10 times worse.
As Cato has everybody clear out, except Brutus. Because what they are going to do they didn't want the kids to see. With the pain amplifier medication taking effect, Brutus decides to read their sentence from the Freedom Force of Panem.
During which time Cato has been rigging Claymore mines around the room. Leaving the last not attached in the doorway by the last mine. In full view of the 8 now being sentenced.
"You all have been found guilty of ALL charges against you including, falsifying adoption papers, Lying to YOUR DISTRICT VICTORS, Human torture on children, Human experimentation on minors, child abuse, the murder through human experimentation of over 75 children, sexual assault on minors to name a few. by the authority granted to me by the High Commander of the Freedom Force of Panem all of you are sentenced to DEATH by ANY MEANS WE SEE FIT.
The means that we are seeing fit is after we breaks both your legs we will leave you here blind. Without the gift of sight you will have to navigate through this room to escape in under 5 minutes before we blow up the building with you in it. Should you make it in the allotted time, we will be waiting to shoot you. YOUR tomb will be here. May god have mercy on your soul. Cato carry out the sentence."
"Yes Sir."
Cato Blindfolds all but the director. Cato then pulls out a knife and carves out the eyes of the director. Then places his eyes on top of the last claymore. Cato then pulls out a long handled sledge hammer that was leaning against the doorway of the room. Brutus nods in approval as Cato goes to the first Warden and before he Cato he swings the hammer at her knees, he tells her:
"This is for abusing my MOTHER! CATHERINE JOANNE MALONE-BRIGGS! Because of you she suffered at the hands of my father and his friends therefore you all WILL SUFFER!"
Brutus observes with great satisfaction has Cato breaks the legs of the first Warden. The warden's blood curdling screams could be heard for miles in the now empty orphanage. Cato repeats this to each and everyone of them.
The screams of pain was a hollow victory for Brutus for his kid brother and baby sister. Cato drops the hammer but before leaving the room, he give each one a slice across their face of the toxin that they used on Chris and the other children here. As Cato crosses the thresh hold of the room he attaches the last wire, completing the circuit and arming the mines.
Both Brutus and Cato leave the building and are almost to the plane when Cato pulls out a pineapple grenade and looks to Brutus:
"Been 5 minutes to you?'
"More than, do it."
Cato pulls the pin and throws it into the building. With in 30 seconds you hear the explosions has explosives go off in the building implodes onto the people within. Killing all AND entombing them within its rubble. Both nod to each other as they re-board the plane.
They are over half way back to 13 when the co-pilot gets a message from Command.
ATTENTION ALL FLEETS:
WE ARE UNDER FIRE! THE CHILD CARE CENTER HAS BEEN HIT. I REPEAT. THE CHILD CARE CENTER HAS BEEN HIT! ARRIVE TO BASE IMMEDIATELY!
'Katniss! Clara!'
Cato gets on the communicator:
"How many casualties Glim?"
"No casualties but Cato Katniss has been hurt. It's bad Cato. She was unconscious when we got to her. Clara is injured but not as bad as Katniss. ALL other babies and children are fine. Second in Command Everdeen is in working on her now."
"We are on our way!"
He turns to the others. He sees relief and worry on Foxy's face, but Camille is almost beside herself. He watches Brutus put a comforting arm around the woman and tells her:
"Get it out now because once we get to base you have to be strong like her to help Goldilocks. It sounds really bad. Cato you know what to do. Chris can't fly and we need to get there like yesterday."
Turning to the captain's chair he looks at Brutus while flying as fast as the craft can take them:
"How do you always know what is on my mind?"
'Hold on Fire Girl! I'm on my way! Just hold on!'