Chapter 11. War Meeting
Over the next week, Peeta had avoided Katniss, Gale, and Finnick at all costs. In fact, the painter had practically locked himself up in his room, rarely coming out after his outburst. He didn't know what really he could say to anybody after the conflict and preferred to just avoid the situation all together.
But not today. Today was the first time in awhile that all the Panem rebels were called by President Pyrrhus to discuss actions in the war. Over the year, those meetings were reserved for mostly Generals like Willow and Amur while the usual soldiers and medics had to stay back and wait to see if they were chosen for the mission or not. Peeta himself had not been on a mission since the District 4 rebellion aid led by Willow a few months ago and, while he had refused missions since, he figured going on another would get his mind off things back at the house.
Peeta quickly disposed of the syringe he had just injected himself with before throwing his coat over his arms. Giving himself a moment to take in the familiar substance, the painter walked from his room and exited the house. Outside, various Panem rebels were already making their way to the Justice Building. Willow was already walking purposefully down the street with Delly. While initially threatened by another strong leader in the house, Willow had quickly accepted Delly as a valuable ally. She had decided the District 12 rebel leader wasn't a threat to her position because of her undesirable weakness when it came to Peeta Mellark.
It didn't take very long for the group to arrive in the council room. One by one, the Panem rebels sat at the familiar circular table with the map of Panem on its surface. Peeta had almost missed the room. He found a seat next to Johanna, though said nothing to anybody as he sat.
At the front of the room in his usual manner, the grey haired President Pyrrhus sat. He watched as the remaining rebels took their seats, Commander Paylor sitting at the seat to his right. Delly sat next to Willow, turning her eyes swiftly toward Peeta. She pressed her lips together at his appearance before immediately turning her attention back to President Pyrrhus. Since the Medical Center, she had been avoiding talking to him like he was the Plague and now that he was apparently going to be attending these meetings again, she couldn't help but feel awkward.
As the final two rebels, Beetee and Wiress, took their seats, the President finally stood up. His gaze went around the room towards them all individually before clearing his throat. "After speaking in full detail of the past events in Panem, things are looking rather grim on our end."
Willow, however, crossed her arms after a moment, defensively. "With General Hawthorne back and improving drastically, he should be able to contribute soon. As well as the Mockingjay."
"That's not the problem," Paylor spoke up, looking towards them. "Security in Panem is at an all time high. After the struggle in District 6, we couldn't get back to the warehouse and lost our only means of communication, which is why we needed to retreat to Bonum and pass through District 12. Panem has secured all its working Districts with force fields such as that around the arena for the Hunger Games."
This time, Delly spoke up for the first time in any meeting. "Then we can just use Thermite again, right?"
"They're already seen that trick. Besides, the force of the explosion could harm the civilians inside," Paylor responded.
"Of course it would," Johanna spoke up as she leaned back, resting her boots on the edge of the table. She almost had a bit of a laugh in her tone. "Panem probably has orphanages and hospitals right up against that force field, playing right into our weaknesses. Bonum's inability to harm innocents."
Delly crossed her arms tightly as well, her eyes flashing and her tone bitter. "We can't be weak, worrying about their civilians. They certainly don't care about anything but the Capitol citizens. Who cares if a few die?"
"We care," President Pyrrhus stared down the girl. "If we become as brutal as our enemy, then there is no reason for this war to even occur."
"The forcefields aren't complete," Paylor continued, trying to bring the meeting back to a more civil and constructive conversation. "There is too much landmass for them to dome the entirety of the Districts in a force field. So most overhead attacks should work, though we can assume they managed to dome all of District 2 by placing the fields on the mountain tops."
"What do we know about the force fields?" Willow said slowly, shooting a warning glance at Delly. "Are they harmful? If we touch them, will they kill us, like the one in the Arena? Or are they a new kind of force field entirely?"
Paylor shook her head. "We didn't want to risk being found. I was severely injured at the time, as were my men. But they had the same reflection like during the Quarter Quell. It's easy to assume they are trying to not only eliminate the possibly of rebels escaping but make them lose sight of the freedom beyond the field by blocking their vision of it."
Willow nodded shortly, dropping her hands onto the table. "Overhead attacks could kill citizens as well, though. They're less accurate."
"And easier to spot," Paylor added.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Wiress and I have received more bad news from our Capitol rebels," Beetee spoke up at last, looking to Wiress then back to the rest of the room. "Panem's been tracking down and executing all known connections to us and any rebels associating with Bonum. Panem has been spreading lies claiming Bonum was an underground, unknown country that was born of rebels. It's only a matter of time before they send another attack our way."
There was a long pause before Finnick cleared his throat. "Is there any good news? Anybody?"
"Depends," Beetee continued, looking to the younger man. "Cinna and Portia have both managed to compile a full map layout of the Capitol and its main Justice Building where President Coin resides. But with the heavy security, neither have any means of sending the document to us."
"Then, if we could get the force field down, we could get to them. A sort of rescue mission. If you guys could get us in, the rest wouldn't be an issue. I have a lot of connections in the Capitol."
"It would be close to impossible for us to bring down the force field without causing a scene," Paylor spoke up again. "Sneaking in to the Capitol isn't really an option."
"Den why don't we hijack another train? We seem ta be good at dat," Chaff suggested with a hearty laugh.
"That does seem like the only option," Willow said thoughtfully. "Although, we'd have to break into a District. And there's sure to be more security on the trains."
"They'll expect us to take another train," Amur brought up.
Willow paused before pressing her fingers together. "We've lost the element of surprise. If it's our only option, then it's our only option, regardless if they'll be expecting it or not."
"If we lost surprise, then the only other option we have is force and strength," Johanna sat upright but crossed her arms, trying to get comfortable. "This mission is going to end up messy."
"Then we'll have to take only the strongest," Willow said, firmly. "Myself, Johanna and Chaff, if you two are willing, Finnick."
Johanna paused, giving Finnick a hesitant look. He hadn't been on a mission in a long time and she wasn't certain if he was ready or not. Finnick just raised an eyebrow at her, though, as if daring for her to disagree. At that, the woman couldn't help but laugh. She leaned back again, her chair balancing on it's back two legs. "Fine. Works for me."
"I'll come as well," Amur looked down to Willow, slightly curious as to why he was left out from the announcement of the strongest.
Willow hesitated, glancing up at him briefly. He had been left out for a reason. Since she had become so attached to Serena, she didn't want the little girl to lose her father because of one of Willow's missions. "Are you sure?"
The fisherman gave her a reassuring nod. "Unless you have reason to exclude me?"
Her jaw clenched as her cheeks turned red. She didn't want to admit that she was worried, but he had backed her into a corner. "This mission is going to be dangerous. Serena..."
Instantly, he understood. "It is through this war ending with us victorious that Serena will live. I have to make that future real."
She paused but nodded shortly. While she was still worried, she knew she wouldn't be able to convince her friend otherwise. "Fine."
"And your plan exactly? Hovercraft? Train?" Paylor questioned, eyeing Willow. "Because, whatever it is, I'm accompanying you as well."
"Train. And are you sure you're well enough?"
"I am. Cinna and Portia helped my men and I out many times in the past. We'll join you."
Willow nodded once. "I guess that settles it, then."
"Feel free to chose anybody else you feel is fit for the mission," the President nodded towards Willow. "We'll send in a craft for tomorrow to intercept an incoming train to the Capitol. You'll find the rebels and get back here as soon as possible."
"Of course, sir."
"Then, if that is the end of it, this meeting is over. Go make your final decisions and prepare yourselves for the morning."
Willow nodded, standing up with the rest of the rebels almost immediately and walking out of the room. One by one, the rebels poured out from the room. The news of the new, risky mission was starting to sink in to them all. This would be the first frontal attack on Panem's Capitol.
From the crowd, a hand reached out though and pulled Willow to a halt. "Willow," Peeta voiced behind her.
Willow stopped, glancing back at the blond. She raised her eyebrows, slightly surprised. "Mellark?"
"Take me."
"Take you... where? On the mission?"
The painter nodded as he dropped his hand to his side. His other hand was gripping his medical kit so tightly that his entire arm was starting to tingle. In his hazy, drug induced mind, this mission could be the proof to Katniss that he was strong. If he could be more like Gale and more willing to take risks to better everybody, then maybe he really did still have a chance. It was the only option he could see.
"Mellark... I don't know. Aren't you basically a medic now? And aren't you taking care of Everdeen while she's... indisposed?"
"Prim can take care of her and you'll need medics. I have experience with medicine and guns, I should be fine on this mission." His voice was desperate, almost like he was trying to convince himself.
Willow looked at him searchingly for a moment before shrugging a little and nodding. "I know you're a valuable asset, Mellark. I just want to make sure you're sure."
"I am. I have to. Please."
"If you're sure." She paused, awkwardly eyeing him. "I don't know how to say this, but you have to be... alert, okay? Delly told me about your morphling and I understand. But it's not allowed on the mission."
"That's fine. If I'm out there and have something else to focus on, I won't need it."
She nodded. "Good. Be ready bright and early then."
He nodded to her, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Willow."
"That's a really weird thing to thank someone for, Mellark," she said, raising her eyebrows. She gave him a slight smirk though and continued walking after the rebels.
