DISCLAIMER: I don't own the characters of HG.

Chapter 10-Exposed

A very small hovercraft quickly arrived to take Gale to District 9. When he traveled back and forth between the main base and where the squad set up camp he usually traveled on foot with another squad member, but since this was urgent the hovercraft was sent instead. President Paylor had provided two hovercrafts for the squad, a large one that all the squad members could travel in, and a smaller one that fit only two people. Two of the squad members were pilots, both residing back at the main base.

When Gale and the pilot walked into the main base, he was immediately ushered into the surveillance room. A young squad member named Spencer said to Gale in a nervous manner, "We sent one of the portable cameras to track Miss Everdeen. The previous day she along with a few of the Natives left the village area and did not return until this morning. Later after she arrived back she went out with a small group of Native men, we were concerned she may not return again so we sent a camera to follow. After monitoring her for a few hours this happened."

Gale's eyes immediately went to the monitoring screen, he saw Katniss with her bow in her hands walking through a mountainous forest. As expected, she was carefully observing her surroundings, looking for prey to hunt. All of the sudden her eyes shifted right the camera, looking right at it. She then turned around, with her back facing the camera, all the sudden the Natives shot to alert and readied their weapons, waiting for an attack. One of the men lit a torch and tossed the flame to Katniss, she lit an arrow and shot at the camera.

The screen went black.

"Shit" Gale cursed loudly, throwing his helmet to the floor. The soldiers in the room became uncomfortable, this was the first time they had seen the squad leader they had come to admire and respect get angry.

"Where are they now?" Gale asked not sure if he wanted to know the answer.

"We have been watching the stationary camera that is placed near the village. The problem with that camera is it takes pictures to send back and is on a time delay. We have one other portable camera but we decided to leave it where it is at and not move it since Miss Everdeen is now aware of the cameras. We anticipate they will be back at any moment" Spencer replied.

Gale ran his hand through his hair nervously. He knew Katniss would easily spot a camera if given the opportunity. The stationary cameras were better concealed in the trees, some having been there for many years. "I think we are going to have to reveal ourselves to them" voicing his thoughts aloud.

"Is that safe? I don't think the Natives would take too kindly to us showing up after finding our cameras. What if they attack?" another squad member asked.

Gale grew irritated. "They may be planning an attack anyway due to the fact they know now they are being spied on. Revealing ourselves is the only way to protect them and the Mockingjay now."

Just then a beeping noise came from the monitors. Spencer ran over to the monitors and shouted, "The second portable camera is now black as well."

Gale came over and stood beside Spencer, needing to see the monitor for himself. Sure enough, the screen was black. "Rewind the tape back" Gale said in a steady voice, trying to calm himself.

Spencer rewound the tape, on the screen it showed a view of the village, the Natives going about their business as usual. Then, a face appears right in front of the camera, a Native's face. The person must have climbed up the tree. His face getting closer as he tries to look inside. His finger comes into view, obviously touching the camera. All of the sudden he looks down, looking intently at something, or someone Gale thinks. Then, he shifts, and an axe appears coming down on the screen, after a couple of strikes, the screen goes black.

"She must have told him to destroy the camera" Spencer said.

Gale inhaled. He knew what would happen next. "How long is the time delay on the stationary camera?" he asked.

"About 20 minutes" Spencer replied.

They waited in silence for the next 30 minutes, waiting as the pictures starting coming in from the camera. They watched as the Natives started to come out of their tepees, the whole tribe assembling outside. Katniss came into view, she appeared to be shouting to the tribe members while walking around, her position moving in each picture. It reminded him of when she was giving her speeches during the rebellion. The next image showed her pointing right at the camera, the Natives around her looking up in bewilderment. The next few images showed Katniss and a few men approaching the camera. They soon disappeared from the images, most likely right below the tree the camera sat on. The next images showed a shaky picture, some of the images coming in sideways. Then the images showed Katniss's face looking right at the camera, anger evident on her face. Finally, the pictures showed Katniss and the others standing and looking down, before multiple axes appeared and the screen went black.

No one said anything for a few moments. The squad leaders waiting for their leader to respond. Gale stared at the floor, then said after a few moments, "I am going to call the President. Spencer, get the entire squad ready. Everyone but soldiers Topper, Hance, Woodard, and Doolittle will be heading to the tribe. Those four will stay here to monitor the Jay Killers and to keep in contact with the Capitol should we lose our ability to."

"But sir-"Spencer started to protest.

"Just do it solider" Gale said sternly and walked into the office he was assigned to make the phone call.

He informed her of what happened, and of his plan to take the squad to the tribe. He also told her that he was pretty sure however that by the time they get there, the tribe will be gone. President Paylor informed him that while militia activity was still strong in Panem, it did not appear any other groups were planning to cross into the wild territory for the time being. That news gave him some relief, knowing that no other threats were coming.

He knew the biggest threat right now was Katniss and the tribe.