Chapter 50: End of the War or is it?
Heavy.
Katniss blinked as she came to. Her ears were still ringing minutes after the bomb went off. Her brain restarted, as if it went on a mini vacation. When the bomb had gone off the sound was so close to their ears that it was deafening. Katniss was mentally cursing the fact that they were unable to get farther away. Of the five senses of the human body, the only one working was touch. Without the weight of Finnick on top of her, Katniss would have thought she was dead.
Still cursing the fact they were mere feet away from where the bomb had gone off,
she could vaguely hear Johanna moaning another foot ahead of them. "Oh thank God, Johanna was alright." Unconsciously, Katniss hands grabbed onto the fabric of Finnick's arms. His weight was beginning to constrict the airflow to her lungs.
"Finnick?" She let out a gasp as he failed to respond quickly enough. This couldn't be happening. Not again, not after everything she had done.
Her brows furrowed, it was strangely silent. Not only did she not hear Finnick respond, but she couldn't hear anything. Didn't she just hear Johanna? Why wasn't there any sound? Her breath was stuck in her throat. Could she even breathe? Katniss wasn't so sure she could even remember how to anymore. Her mind began to piece together what happened just minutes before. Everything around her had started to fade into the background as she yelled at Finnick to climb. She didn't know when the noise started to disappear.
The bomb must have rattled her more than she originally thought.
She could feel his weight on top of her. Why wasn't he answering? The only thing Katniss recognized was the feel of Finnick in her arms. He had fallen into her arms moments before the small bomb Boggs had given her had detonated. Her husband was here but why wasn't he answering? It was only Finnick's hand in her own, still warm and gripping her just as tightly back, that kept her from being catatonic.
If he could grip her hand, why wasn't he speaking?
His warm breath on her neck alerted her to the fact that Finnick was still there. He was breathing and holding tightly onto her hand. Reluctantly she looked over at the caved in wall before them, her hand still gripping onto Finnick. A part of her could not believe that it had happened again. But Finnick's warmth was still there. Her hands reached out to touch his cheeks.
"Finnick?"
"I'm still here Kat." He was still far more out of breath than she would like. Staring into his eyes Katniss felt sheer relief in seeing that he was still here, a grin on his face and a teasing glint in his eyes. A familiar feeling of irritation suddenly surged through her.
She punched him in the arm, "Don't you dare scare me like that again."
Finnick grabbed where her punch landed with a wince, "Yes, dear."
Johanna, bless her heart, was perfectly able to describe the scenario with a few words. "What the hell was that?"
"Oh you know, the usual. Snow managed to figure out that we're in the city and sent his latest batch of mutts after us?" Katniss retorted sarcastically. Hiding the relief that the world around her was returning to normal. Everything was moving and she could hear once again.
"Obviously, I meant your complete and utter meltdown." Johanna snapped back.
Katniss eyes flickered upwards, obviously she was not the only one hiding behind a façade. "My husband was being chased by mutts."
"We were all being chased by mutts! You're the one whose supposed to know all this stuff!" Despite the roar in Johanna's voice, her lips turned up into a smile as the two descended into a familiar pattern.
"Why do you think I've been a nervous wreck!" The two argued back and forth as Finnick watched. As refreshing as it was to have the two of them fighting, they were on crunch time. Especially if Snow knew they were in the city.
"Katniss, what did Snow do next?" He interrupted, forcing the two bickering teammates to redirect their focus onto him. Finnick just hoped that they wouldn't butcher him for it.
"He ordered families to send their children to his home….for safety." Katniss spoke with disdain laced in her voice. Her voice was low as if she was remembering in real time a reality in which Finnick knew she probably wished she could forget. His wife would often get that far off look into eyes.
Johanna looked disgusted, "He's going to use them as a human shield."
Finnick stood up on his own, his two comrades quickly following. Katniss murmured, "Let's see the map."
Without any dramatics, a rarity for Finnick, the man easily grabbed and displayed the holographic map for his comrades. Johanna tutted as Katniss pointed to where they were located. From the lap it was clear they were barely 10 miles into the city. How had Snow already have a keen sense of their location?
"We barely made any progress." Johanna growled. "I fucking hate that man."
Finnick snorted, "That man has this entire city wired. I doubt he knew of our exact location but how hard would it be to unleash all of his mutations in order to get a better read of the situation? Especially with the city in the dark and every citizen indoors."
"Except for the children he plans to use as a shield. The coward." Johanna hissed. During their conversation Johanna had been replaying their plans in the back of her head as she looked onto the map. It was then when Johanna pointed out a tunnel not very far from there but it led directly to the presidential mansion, by the outward perimeter of the city. It had been the one they had discussed earlier as much as she hated the idea of Katniss winning.
"It would take us there, looks like the mutts managed to help us" Johanna snuck a look at Katniss. "What do you think?"
XXX
Children layered up to protect themselves from the morning chill, stood in straight lines starting from the gate of the presidential mansion all the way through to past the end of the block. President Snow watched from his office window staring down at the long line of children. Frowning at the thought of his home being overrun by such creatures.
He hardly remembered his own son's upbringing, preferring the company of so few. All of them were adults that had no need for coddling. Enjoyment of his granddaughter was a surprise, perhaps it was because the young girl somehow brought up memories and while some were best left forgotten… they were fond memories none the less.
"Sir, should we allow the children inside?"
Snow never allowed his gaze to drift from the line of children outside. Raising his hand he waved it in a lazy manner, "Let the maggots in."
It was only when the servant had stepped out of the room that Snow looked up from the children lined up. Foolishly believing that their parents decided to send them somewhere safe. Snow let himself smile, there would be many who would hesitate in shooting with children in the line of fire. Especially the newly named Mrs. Odair, with her history of stepping in to help others. Snow was sure that the young victor would never allow her band of rebels to hurt children.
While not the most moral plan, it would buy him time to get to safety….into his bunker where his secret project awaited him. He just needed to prolong the rebellion long enough to put his plan into action. Looking above the children towards the blacked out city, Snow hummed to himself.
Perhaps it was time to check on his mutt squad.
XXX.
"That is it." Gale muttered to himself after watching the male tribute from District 2 for over an hour.
Cato was clearly trying to look for something, perhaps even try to find a way to sabotage their plans in some way. The way Cato stalled near where Gale knew his designs were, said as much. Dread filled Gale knowing that despite going to Coin about his concerns he may have been too late in voicing them.
That is why it was vital that Cato is caught trying to get to them or trying to squeeze his way into something that he could possibly screw up. When Haymitch had turned to him Gale had been irritated with the duty. He saw the rational part but hated that he was chosen. Yet now he saw why… most of District 13 were taught single-minded objectives, few were promoted into leadership roles.
How many would ignore Cato in favor of a chance to prove they could handle such a command? Cato could have disrupted the making of the first-aid kits, switched vital supplies of even damaged them. While Gale hoped none of these kits would be needed, they couldn't leave it to chance. Placing his finished kit down, Gale scanned the area finding Cato within seconds. Long strides helped Gale meet Cato just as he reached the table.
Grabbing Cato by the shoulder, Gale had to hide his grin as the boy tensed. "I don't believe you have security clearance for those."
"And you do? I know these people live underground, I didn't realize they were stupid too." Cato talked a big game but that's all it was. Forcibly using his strength to pull Cato away from the plans, Gale called the guards over.
"Take him before he manages to actually do something harmful." Gale's tone was humorous, angering the former tribute. Cato glared over his shoulder as the District 13 guards took hold of either side of his arms, pulling him away.
Once Cato was out of sight, Gale let out a breath as he turned back towards the tasks at hand. He could only hope that by the end of the day his bomb wouldn't be activated. He didn't trust Coin's elegant smile, that's why he made Beetee promise to put the stop-gag measure in place. Gale mentally snorted at the image of Katniss' shocked face if she were to find out that he made the bomb with a trigger that would keep it from going off.
Not that he thought it would be needed. That only came after Madge and Katniss decided to yell at him. Gale lifted the box of finished kits walking towards the waiting hovercraft. His thoughts drifted towards Madge, a small smile creeping on his face.
When this was done Gale would get on his knees if he needed to. Over the last couple of years Madge had grown on him. She held the same values as him with the same dreams. She wanted a husband and children. Prior to the bombing, even he saw the expectant looks from his neighbors. Now his actions were dependent on just how angry Madge was going to be about what he's done since joining District 13. He would do whatever it took to ensure that when he asked her, Madge would say yes.
XXX
It took another hour and a half by her estimate to get to the outer edges of the mansion. While the city was miles long, traveling through the sewers appeared to be a major shortcut, even when taking the long way.
"Do you think Boggs has attacked the city yet?" Finnick whispered in her ear causing shivers to run down her spine.
"I imagine he is at its perimeter." She whispered back, leaning into his side as the trio paused with Johanna firmly in the lead.
"Light that map up, will ya?"Johanna looked over at the two, her expression twisting into a look of mild disgust. "Must you both be so nauseating?"
"I can be worse." Finnick teased, wiggling his eyebrows playfully tugging Katniss flat against him as he nibbled on her neck. Rolling her eyes the brunette pulled away from her lover to give her friend her full attention.
"Next time don't strip in front of both him and Peeta in attempt to get Peeta blushing." Katniss shook her head as she pulled out the map watching as the hologram spread out across the air.
"I wasn't going to have sex in public." Johanna muttered.
"You're much more conservative than you appear." Katniss laughed as she spotted the red dot on the map indicating where they were.
"What do you know? We're right underneath them!" Johana said ignoring the dig her friend gave, preferring instead to glare at the husband. "Fish Boy, I will cut off your tongue."
"I actually need that body part." Katniss muttered looking over at Johanna whose face paled.
"I did not need to know that." Johanna gagged. Finnick snickered as he wrapped his arm around Katniss, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"Don't threaten my favorite body parts." Katniss shrugged before turning off the map, ignoring the way Johanna pretended to barf and Finnick let out a loud bark of laughter.
"I'm going to suffer from this trauma for the rest of my life." Johanna complained.
"More capturing Snow, less freaking out about your friends having a sex life." Katniss instructed much to Johanna's chagrin. The lumberjack shot Finnick a dirty look, hissing that he completely corrupted Katniss.
"I'd say she corrupted me."
"I'm going to throw up." Johanna warned as Finnick passed her to climb up the ladder that would lead them to the outside, from the map it would be on the backside of the mansion.
Finnick pushed the sewer lid open and then lowered himself back down, "Ladies first."
Johanna gave him a stink eye as she climbed her way out, Katniss nudged him in the shoulder mouthing that he would be in for it later. Finnick shook his head as he chivalrously bowed in front of his wife offering her the free ladder. The brunette rolled her eyes as she began to climb up.
It was only when she felt Finnick climb up after her once a few rungs were free did she speak. "Are you really going to ogle my ass on a mission?"
Finnick let out a laugh, "Spitfire you act as if I never ogle your bottom."
Katniss ignored him as she reached the top accepting Johanna's proffered hand up. Almost as soon as she was on the cement, Finnick was heaving himself up.
"What no help for me?" Finnick half-heartedly complained.
Johanna smacked him on the head, "Keep your hands to yourself until you get a damn room!"
Ignoring the bickering duo, Katniss looked around. A nervous feeling began to develop in her stomach, "We need to find shelter."
"It's pitch black." Finnick noted.
"As if that will save us from the rovers trying to scan everything they see." Johanna muttered.
Finnick nodded, "Good point. Shall we?"
The trio quickly ran to the gate that surrounded the mansion. Johanna turned towards Finnick and Katniss, "So girl on fire, you're literally the only one whose home is surrounded by a metal gate. Any ideas?"
"The gate wasn't active. They believed us far too tired to try anything, at least until I came around. But we can look for a weak point, some type of hole in the fencing, see if we can deactivate the fence. I doubt Beetee was able to jam the fence and the entire city."
Immediately the group began to scan the perimeter trying to find a semi-large enough hole or any sign that it would be safe to climb. When the search provided no more answers Johanna growled, "Can't we just throw something at it? See if the barrier is even up?"
"They could have an alert that Beetee was unable to disengage." Finnick looked at the fence warily. He would not be forgetting what it was like to almost get bitten and used as a chew toy by a rabid mutt creature.
"I don't think we have much of a choice, there is no entrance from the sewer line big enough for us to squeeze through." Katniss sighed.
"So I get to throw a really big rock?" Johanna grinned.
The married couple looked at each other both with a sigh of resignation turned towards their friend, "Throw the really big rock."
XXX
Boggs stood in front of his platoon as they stood in straight lines, backs straight waiting for further instruction. The commander stood tall starring at his men in an attempt to see understanding with his orders. He informed them of their duties, watching to ensure no face held a smidge of confusion.
"You have your orders. Let's move it!" Boggs projected his voice towards the troops once he determined they understood. He nodded towards his captains as they barked out orders of their own. Their platoon would be ready to march onto the capital.
Commander Boggs glanced outwards towards the capital where the cities lights were still blacked out. Boggs let out a relieved sigh at the only real signal they had of Beetee's mischief being successful. One of his lieutenants walked up to him saluting him waiting for permission to speak.
"Speak soldier." Boggs ordered.
"Sir, it seems like Hawthorne managed to spy Cato trying to get his hands on the weapon designs that Hawthorne worked on himself."
"Did the boy have any communication device on him?" Boggs sighed almost certain that the boy would not have been able to hide that. Nor did he believe a capital sympathizer was in their ranks, yet it never served to be too careful.
"The guards searched him, Sir. Nothing was on him according to Hawthorne, the boy was muttering about how President Snow would reward his loyalty," The soldier shook his head, "He seems to have miscalculated. Even if he got a good look at those plans, Cato has no personal way of accessing them. They were already deployed in case of emergency."
Now that worried him. "On whose orders?"
"The President, Sir." The soldier had a careful look of confusion. "Sir, is something the matter?"
"Under whose care are those bombs?" Boggs questioned. He had seen the look on the young Hawthorne's face. Heard even from Beetee himself how the boy was concerned how his work would be used in the war.
They were at the brink of victory. In a city full of naïve people that ignored the cruelty done to other districts and yet they remained ignorant of the crimes against their fellow citizens. It was Snow and his guards and politicians that allowed for the travesties to occur.
"Commander Fitch, Sir."
"Get Commander Fitch on the communicator with me. Now!" Boggs ordered ignoring the beginnings of a headache. Due to his position in the military of District 13, Boggs was far more familiar with his body's warnings signs.
"Right away, Sir!"
Stalking into his tent, one that would be torn down shortly before his troops left for the city walls, Boggs waited until a foot soldier scurried in with a communicator in hand. The soldier quietly nodded his head towards Boggs before carefully dropping the communicator on the desk and pressing the center button.
"Commander Fitch, Sir." The solider murmured before walking out, leaving the Commander to stare at the holographic version of his fellow leader.
"What can I do for you, Commander Boggs?" Fitch asked after greeting the man with a respectful bow.
"Commander, I need to know if President Coin asked you to use the bombs under your care." Boggs asked, deciding to forgo small talk. They had a mere hour before they absolutely had to be at the city walls.
"Sir that is classified information." Fitch responded. Boggs noted the way the man's mouth ticked, Fitch was unhappy with his orders. Now that was saying something, as Commander Fitch was not a man who was for this war. Fitch thought that the citizens of Panem could deal with this problem on their own.
"The very designer of those bombs went to the President and rescinded his agreement to use those bombs in battle. He asked what she planned to use them for then he asked that they not be used near civilians." Boggs said in an attempt to persuade Fitch.
"I see." Fitch murmured to himself.
"The President has her own agenda against President Snow. I fear her actions will put our alliance with the Victors of Panem at risk. Without their support then the citizens of Panem will not accept us."
"We are our own people." Fitch scoffed.
"A people who want to stop living underground. Without the support of the victors we run the risk of losing our only chance of overthrowing this corrupt government and that in turn places us in immediate danger. It also puts our president in danger from another insurrection happening." Boggs picked at the one thing Fitch had.
He was loyal to Coin.
"You think they could get to her?" Fitch questioned.
"I wouldn't risk her life for Coin's wish to place one more evil act on President Snow."
XXX
The fact that the fence did not buzz when Johanna threw the giant rock, how she had found such a thing in the middle of a freaking city Katniss really didn't want to think about, caused Katniss to notice the weird feeling at the pit of her stomach.
Johanna rejoiced as she climbed onto the fence, "Let's hope we don't regret this."
"Says the girl who just climbed onto the fence." Finnick grumbled. Johanna stepped on his head sticking her tongue out as she reached the top of the fence swinging her leg over the barbed wire with ease.
"Remind me why I let you both come?" Katniss asked exasperated at the two's constant bickering.
"Because we can pull our weight and hold no loyalty to the bitch or snake." Johanna responded with an answer that sounded more like a question than a legitimate answer.
"You're a danger magnet and it's our job to ensure you don't try anything truly suicidal." Finnick answered instead looking up as his wife climbed up last. Katniss grunted as she finally flipped her body over and landed next to her husband with a small thud.
"Either Beetee did a fucking amazing job or..." Johanna paused looking over at her companions.
"He's waiting for us." Katniss grimaced. She let out a small breath when she felt Finnick's hand slip back into her own.
"You mean he's waiting for you. The man has a sick obsession." Finnick growled next to her ear. Katniss squeezed his hand softly in an attempt to comfort him.
"Chill lover boy. Our job is to ensure he doesn't have a chance to get away. Katniss is our best bet at giving him a distraction. He'll want to gloat or something." Johanna reminded with more attitude than she intended.
"Let's get this over with," The man muttered bringing his wife's hand to his lips. "You are not allowed to do anything suicidal."
"Say's the man who almost was chewed up by a mutated dog." Katniss sassed right back despite just how sensitive that memory still was. Johanna was sure that the woman had become a cat person from that situation alone.
Slowly the trio managed to find a servant door located near what they assumed would be the kitchen. They hid behind a large tree when the servant's door opened and a couple of men walked out carrying a large bag. Johanna held her hand to her lips praying she could do this without vomiting when she realized it was a body bag.
As soon as the two left Katniss led the way towards the door giving it a tug smiling when the door opened with ease. Johanna scoffed, "I'm beginning to think Snow is just a cocky ass bastard."
They sighed in relief when no one else was in the kitchen at the moment. Not wanting to take a chance, the invaders quickly stuck to the walls as Finnick stuck his head around trying to see if anyone was in the hall.
"Coast is clear."
Katniss led the way towards the staircase climbing the stairs two at a time. Reaching the top of the stairs, humming could be heard. Finnick immediately pulled the two girls into the nearest door. Johanna looked around in relief when no one was found.
"Are we finally getting lucky?" She whispered towards her companions as they waited for the person humming to cross their path. The humming got louder indicating the person was now just outside the door. Finnick reached for his knife in case the source of the humming opened the door.
The trio held their breaths until the humming was no longer audible. Johanna punched Finnick in the arm waving her arm towards the closed door. Finnick rolled his eyes as he opened the door allowing the two women to step back into the hall. Every noise made them pause, causing them to proceed at a snail's pace towards Snow's office. It's location and the mansion blueprint being the first thing they memorized, knowing that they likely would not have time to consult a map once inside.
Based on the number of servants in the room, memorizing the mansions blueprints turned out to be a bright idea. After the fifth time of ducking behind decorative tree's and sneaking into a room they hoped was empty, the trio had finally reached the level of Snow's office.
The sound of rushing footsteps alerted the group to the fact that the siege most definitely had started. Katniss tried to ignore the rage she had felt knowing that more lives would be sacrificed than necessarily had to be. It was only Finnick's hand that once again found its way into hers that kept her focused.
Looking into his sea-green eyes the woman knew what she had to focus on.
Snow.
Johanna whispered that his door was right there and all the guards were now busy securing the place. The trio shared amused smiles at that piece of information. Katniss nodded towards Johanna and squeezed Finnick's hand. They all knew that this last part was reserved for her and her alone.
Slender fingers wrapped themselves around the knob pushing the door open with a confidence, Katniss had long ago learned to fake. Steeling the expression on her face, the victor stepped into the room as the scent of roses filled her nose. The room was an office, the walls lined with more books than Katniss had seen in her life. Disgust filled her knowing that so few had the chance to learn to read.
The man she had spent the better half of the day making her way towards stood behind his desk. His back towards her as he looked out the window. Her footsteps were light but Katniss wasn't stupid enough to think she managed to sneak in.
"Must you bring your tag-a-longs?" Snow murmured. "After all we both know I will do you no harm."
"You bombed my home." Katniss argued. Her mind shifted to the minds that could not be turned and had been lost. Luckily far more had been saved than she dared to dream.
"You destroyed my arena," Snow smirked over at her, facing her for the first time. "You think you've won."
Katniss shook her head, "No I don't."
Snow hummed, "You've managed to partner with someone who hates me with a most particular fury. Yet you say you've lost."
"I never said we lost just that we haven't won." Katniss countered. "But you already know that. Just like you know that you are leaving here in handcuffs."
"I never should have underestimated you." Snow admitted, "You lit a fire I truly thought was long lost."
Katniss held out the handcuffs and threw them against the desk as if it were a hockey puck. He gingerly took them, "Trust me with these, do you?"
"I don't trust you at all." Katniss smirked, "But you're dying, have been for years. You can only delay death for so long can't you. I would have thought you'd try to use your little secret weapon first though."
At the widening of his eyes Katniss knew she had him. Taking the handcuffs from him she cuffed both of his hands. "How?" He managed to speak after a few minutes.
"You think we would win without looking into everything you touched?"
"You've done this before." It was a fact not a question.
"I guess I am a better actress than you thought." Her grey eyes looked into his icy blue ones.
"Checkmate, Snow."
XXX
A.N: Everyone thank you for your support for this story. It means a lot that so many of you enjoyed it! The last chapter will be our Epilogue!