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Chapter 15-A Change of Plans

Gale and his team of 16 soldiers arrived at the village, only to find it completely deserted. He was not surprised, he figured this would happen. He had his team survey the area, see if anything was left behind. Nothing was, all the remained was burned out wood, and the remains of the cameras. The camera pieces were brought to Gale, while he looked over the broken and burned pieces, he noticed something hidden in the large stationary camera, what was left of it anyway.

He removed a small piece of light brown paper, paper that looked like it came from a journal. He opened the piece of paper and read:

'I don't know why you have cameras here, but you need to turn them off and stay away. Consider this your warning. If not, you'll have another rebellion on your hands-led by me.

-Your loving Mockingjay'

Gale took the piece of paper, folded it, and put it inside his back zip pocket. He brought all the soldiers close and huddled them all together in a circle and said, "We need to proceed with caution, as we suspected the Natives feel they are threatened. I was going to have us split up to cover more ground but I think it would be safer if we stay together as a unit. Let's go."

The team was able to find tracks in the snow heading west. They moved as quickly as they could, fearful if it started snowing the tracks would be lost. Gale realized as they headed west that most likely the tribe was heading to the tribe that was a 15 day walk away. The tribe where the Jay Killers originally were. He radioed to the main base and had Topper send a message to the President, and informed Topper and the rest to increase surveillance in that area. Katniss was heading right for the militia group.

He considered just radioing the main base and having the large hovercraft take them straight to the tribe they were headed for, and just wait for them to arrive. He weighed his options, if he bypassed the long walk and just waited out Katniss's arrival, they run the risk of being discovered by the Native tribe there. They also run the risk of running into the militia group though Gale didn't see that as a bad thing. What would be bad he realized is that by waiting for Katniss's arrival, Gale's unit would be considerably outnumbered. While they did have more advanced weapons, there were 17 of them and possibly 100 fighters between the two tribes. They only had so much ammunition. Gale came to the conclusion between that and the threat of the militia group the best course of action was to try to confront Katniss and the tribe before they got to the other tribes village.

He figured the tribe had about a 7-8 hour head start. He figured if they moved fast enough, they should be able to catch up to the larger group.

Unfortunately for Gale's unit, it started to snow heavily after 3 hours of walking. The wind was so intense some of the soldiers had to fight to be able to keep their eyes open to see where they were going. He knew he had to stop and set up tents to wait out the storm.

He learned being in the wild territory for 3 months, that a storm can come out of nowhere and that while there was a bad storm where they were, the weather could be fine wherever Katniss and the tribe were.

After waiting out the storm, they lost the tracks they were following, but due to communication with the main base the team was told which direction to head in. After two days of walking, another unplanned event occurs. After getting up at sunrise to head out, the squad realizes one of their members, Weston is missing. Gale split up the group into four teams of four, himself included. After about 15 minutes of walking, his team hears screams in the distance. They run as fast as they can to the sound and find Weston being brutally mauled by a large bear. Gale immediately reaches around for his automatic bow and shoots the bear right in the head-killing it instantly. His three squad members look at him in disbelief, they had heard stories that he was a good hunter, they just didn't know how good he really was. A squad member sets off a flame high into the air, signaling the others to come.

Weston was in bad shape. He was bleeding heavily and his upper torso was badly slashed. His blood staining the snow red and the stain rapidly growing. Gale knows he needs medical attention beyond what they could give him. He radios the main base to bring the small hovercraft immediately. The entire squad waits for the hovercraft to arrive, Gale holding Weston's hand while Spencer applied pressure to his wounds. It took an hour for the hovercraft to reach them. Dolittle, one of the pilots informed Gale that they radioed for a larger medical hovercraft to meet them in District 9 to take Weston to the nearest hospital for treatment. They were now just 16 of them.

The next day they received a radioed call from the main base saying that Weston survived his injuries and explained that before sunrise he had wandered off to have a few moments by himself and ended up walking into the bear's territory. The animal came charging at him so fast he didn't have enough time to ready his weapon.

Gale informed the squad that no one can leave camp under any circumstances. "I know it can frustrating for all of us to be together all of the time, but there are too many threats. From now on, no on leaves the perimeter of the camp" he informed the group.

He could tell that order didn't sit well with some of them. Gale had been pretty lenient about letting his squad members leave camp to get needed space. But before when they were closer to District 9 there were not as many wild animals. They were moving west but also heading further north, they were seeing more and more predators.

There were two squad members he knew didn't like this announcement-Trent and Sequoyah. Gale was pretty sure the two of them had become secretly involved, he often saw them sneaking off together at night, when they thought no one was looking. He chose not to confront them on it. He just hoped that whatever they were doing, they were careful about it.

He learned the next morning one of the reasons why they were not happy to be told they could not leave camp. He came out of his tent to the sound of Sequoyah violently throwing up, Trent trying to conceal her as best he could, rubbing her back. Gale walked up to her after she finished and said, "I need to have a word with you."

The two of them walked a short distance, the camp still in their view but far enough no one could hear them. Gale immediately confronted her and said, "You're pregnant aren't you?"

She responded with a look of shock that he could figure out her secret so fast. She quickly responded by saying, "No! I've just been sick, I haven't been feeling well for a couple of days."

Gale wasn't buying it. "Don't lie to me. I have been turning a blind eye to you and Trent since we arrived here, don't think I haven't noticed the two of you sneaking off." His tone was harsh as he stared down at her, for Sequoyah was barely five feet tall, the smallest soldier there.

She had a defeated look as her eyes fell the ground. She took a deep breath and said, "Look-I don't know for sure, I can't exactly seek medical help out here in the wilderness."

"How long have you been throwing up?" Gale asked, his tone pressing but not as harsh.

"About two weeks. It's the worst in the mornings, I've usually been able to sneak off and let it pass before we leave. It was a lot easier to hide when we were at the other camp."

Gale closed his eyes, processing her words. He opened them and said, "I'm sorry Sequoyah but I'm going to have to send you back to the Capitol."

"What? No-please don't. What if they dismiss me?" Gale could hear the tone of fear in her voice. While relationships between soldiers was not forbidden in Panem's new military, it was understood that squad members in secret missions were not to engage in personal relationships until after the mission has ended. Soldiers married and in relationships were never assigned the same mission. There was concern if two people were involved it could interfere with the safety of the other soldiers, especially if personal feelings got in the way.

Gale could turn a blind eye to Trent and Sequoyah being together, but he couldn't turn a blind eye to her being pregnant. Losing another squad member was the last thing he wanted, but he had no choice. He couldn't risk her life being in such dangerous conditions.

"I'll try to put in as good of a reference as I can" he said.

"Commander, please, I'm begging you, don't send me back. I can't go back to District 11. I'll be a disgrace to my parents. Can't you just send me back to the main base in District 9?" Her eyes pleading with him to change his mind.

Gale felt for her. She was young, only 19 but one of the best soldiers in her class, that's how she was chosen to be part of the mission, her first assignment. President Paylor had heard she was a rising star. He guessed she came from a more traditional upbringing, for District 11 was not a whole lot different than 12.

"It is still unknown how long this mission will last. Even if I let you stay at the main base, what do you think will happen once we return to the Capitol? What if we are here for so long you give birth? Sending you to the main base will just delay things. I'm sorry but my decision is final." Gale laid a hand on her shoulder, she looked like she was about to cry but she didn't let the tears fall.

When they got back, Gale immediately had the squad pack up and get on the move. While they walked he could see Trent and Sequoyah lingering behind in the back. Trent shot Gale an angry look, no doubt Sequoyah informing him of their conversation. Gale decided to keep moving until they reached a more flat area, they were currently traveling through a mountainous region and it would be harder for the hovercraft to land. He had been informed by the main base that in about 2 hours they should be through the mountain region. He was going to have the squad take a break while he made arrangements for Sequoyah to be picked up.

Once they reached more flat terrain, Gale motioned for the group to stop. He explained they would be resting here for a bit. Just as he was about to head off to radio in, Trent approached him and said, "Can we talk before you radio the main base?"

Gale didn't want any more delays, they had enough delays already. He thought they would have caught up to Katniss and the tribe by now, but with weather delays, Weston getting hurt and now this bombshell with Sequoyah, he was making more stops than he wanted.

Gale however felt he couldn't blow Trent off. "Sure" he responded, motioning for them to head away from the group.

Once out of sight, Trent turned to Gale and said, "Please don't send her back, her parents will never understand. If you are worried about her holding up the group, don't be, she's stronger than a lot of the men here, you know that. She'll be able to keep up. She only throws up for a little bit then it stops."

"You know she can't stay here. It's too great of a risk. I won't let her put stress on herself trying to keep up with us. And when she starts to show then what? The whole squad will know. For now I was just planning on telling them that due to illness I was sending her back to District 9. Everyone saw her throwing up. It's only a matter of time before they figure it out if they haven't already. I can't believe you'd be willing to put her life in danger."

Trent gave Gale a glaring look. "I won't leave her, I love her. Our relationship is not just some fling. I can protect her."

"That's what I'm afraid of" Gale immediately responded. "You will put her safety before everyone else's, including the Mockingjay's, the person we have been sent to protect. This is why she has to go."

Gale dismissed Trent, once he saw Trent walk off he radioed in and arranged for the hovercraft to pick them up, giving them the coordinates of where they were at.

When Gale returned to the group he informed Trent and Sequoyah the hovercraft would be there in about an hour and a half. Gale informed the rest of the squad that they would be resting there for a little while longer, informing the soldiers to eat because it could be a while before they stop again. After a little over an hour passed, Trent approached Gale again and asked if he and Sequoyah could have a few moments of privacy to say goodbye. At first Gale resisted, saying he had given orders no one was to leave the perimeter of the camp, but Trent convinced him it would be okay. It would be two of them and said they would bring extra weapons.

"You have 15 minutes, you two better be here when that hovercraft lands" Gale ordered.

"We will, thanks Commander. You are hands down the best squad leader I ever had."

Gale didn't know if he should be happy or concerned with that comment.

Exactly 15 minutes later, the hovercraft started to approach. While Trent and Sequoyah were gone Gale had taken the opportunity to inform the group that Sequoyah had been ill for the past couple of days and that he was sending her to District 9. Gale noticed some of the squad members raise their eyebrows in suspicion to this announcement.

While Gale watched as the hovercraft got closer, all of the sudden he saw a bright light approach the aircraft and then an explosion occurred. The aircraft suddenly turning in circles while heading for the ground and crashing. Gale knew immediately it was Trent and Sequoyah that set off the explosion but his first instinct was to run to the craft. Gale and the squad ran as fast as they could, flames engulfing the craft. Gale immediately went running for the pilot seat.

"Commander" Spencer called out, trying to stop him. Gale ignored him and continued heading for the craft. Luckily the flames had not reached the front of the craft yet. Gale immediately rushed in and saw soldier Topper unconscious, her body half hanging out of the front side door. Gale easily scooped her up and ran away from the craft, feeling the intense heat from the flames.

Once far enough away from the craft, Gale set Topper down and had Spencer inspect her injuries. He watched as the hovercraft made a loud boom before exploding. The group was far enough away no debris hit them from the explosion. Spencer informed Gale he thought Topper suffered a concussion. Gale cursed loudly. He radioed to the main base again and asked for the larger hovercraft to come. He blamed himself for trusting Trent and Sequoyah to do the right thing, and because of his mistake Topper was hurt.

This time though, he made the decision to split the group up, he couldn't afford any more delays. They wouldn't be able to catch up with the tribe at the rate they were traveling. There was now 14 of them left. Gale and six others were going to continue on following the tribe, while the other seven stayed until Topper was picked up. After she was he informed the group they were to start looking for Sequoyah and Trent. They were to be detained until they could be sent back to the Capitol and be dealt with. Gale knew they were currently on the run.

Gale and his group of six headed out, moving as fast as they could into the unknown wilderness that lay ahead of them.