"And your father just decided to share all of this with you, did he," Haymitch scowled across the table.

"You know very well how resourceful I can be, Haymitch Abernathy," Aurelia said cooly. "I have my ways of remaining unseen. I know a lot of my father's plans for this war. It's why Leo made me a consultant in the first place."

"And yet, Leo refuses to tell me what you did to make him trust you."

"I understand your feelings toward me, Haymitch, but I assure you I am not that girl anymore. And I apologize, a thousand times over, for what I did to you and your tribute. But this isn't the time to drag history out. Leo sought me out after I screamed at the Minister for doing this to Peeta. He asked me if I agreed with what the Minster and my father were doing, and I told him no. So he questioned me further, tested my loyalty, and took me to a rebel meeting. Leo was the only one who trusted me for awhile but the more intel I was able to provide, the more the rebels trusted me."

"Tested your loyalty," Haymitch repeated. "How'd he do that?"

"That's… that's between him and me." For a moment, her eyes looked sad, until she shook her head and blinked. "Peeta, you can still attack with the element of surprise. If you move out in a few hours, Father's guards will be inside and the alarms on the street will be disarmed. I have an idea of how to distract the search army so that you and your troops can get through safely, and attack the mansion."

"This is… it's impossible, Aurelia," Peeta said dejectedly. "We have, what, an hour to plan? And then we move in in a few hours? No one has slept, our arsenal isn't complete, President Coin was supposed to send another hovercraft of weapons, soldiers, and supplies tomorrow. We're not ready." Aurelia frowned and leaned forward, her palms spread on the table.

"Well, you'd better get ready. You're the Colonel, Peeta. You commanded my father's troops for a time. You have the strength of ten soldiers inside you, just waiting to be released. You have enough rage inside you to level ten mansions. You told me you were fighting for a world you and Katniss could bring a baby into," Peeta blushed violently as he felt Katniss glance at him, "so this is the start of it. Free Panem and that world will follow. It will fall into place but it has to start somewhere, and you have to be the one to take the first step toward it. My father is destroying the world but you have the power to fix it. Rally your troops and FIGHT for it, Peeta." Peeta, Katniss, and Haymitch all stared at her.

"You know, you may actually have the makings of a leader, Aurelia," Katniss finally said. Aurelia bowed her head, hiding her smile.

"That's a huge compliment, coming from you, Katniss."

"OK," Peeta stood. "Let's find Leo and Lieutenant Jackson and discuss this. Katniss, Haymitch, you too." They both nodded and Peeta allowed Aurelia to wrap the scarf around her face again before he steered her into the other room, looking for Leo.

Cretus was sitting with Doctor Everett, Prim and Rory, Gale, and two soldiers from 13. His eyes widened when Peeta and a disguised Aurelia rushed toward him.

"We need to talk," Peeta said hurriedly.


They started to head into the basement when he heard Katniss calling him. He rushed into the living room, followed by Cretus and Aurelia. Everyone was staring at the radio in horror. Katniss looked to Peeta, her face pale.

"How did you get clearance for this channel," he heard Coin's angry voice saying.

"It was really quite easy. You are not the only one with spies in high places," came a laughing voice.

"Antonius," Aurelia hissed, her eyes narrowing in on the radio.

"How did he-" Cretus started but Peeta shushed him.

"I know your Mockingjay is in the Capitol. I know where she is hiding. And tomorrow, we are going to clip her wings!"

"You will not win this war, Minister. The people of Panem have risen up. They have followed the Mockingjay's call. They will fight for their freedom."

"Let them try. In the meantime, this 'stand with the Mockingjay' nonsense will be put to rest. We eliminated the last mockingjay. Don't think we aren't ready to

do the same with his brat." Peeta's eyes flew back to Katniss and he did his best to stifle his rising fear.

"The Mockingjay is safe and the people are coming. You can tell your President that his days are numbered."

"Oh no, Madame Coin. It is you whose days are numbered."

"I will waste no more time with the likes of you, Minister Antonius. Goodb-"

"That's alright, you are not the person I was hoping to speak with anyway."

"Then who were you hoping to reach on this channel?"

"Someone who will clip the Mockingjay's wings for us." There was silence for a moment.

"Peeta Mellark, I now speak directly to you." Peeta's eyes widened even further as everyone's eyes locked on him.

"Teacup. Ring. Fire. Root." Every brow furrowed in confusion as the words flowed out from the radio. It sounded like nonsense but Peeta felt his whole body on fire and he clutched the sides of his head.

"No," he gasped.

"Greet. Mongoose. Trial." Peeta cried out as he fell to his knees. Aurelia whipped her scarf off and turned back to the radio.

"Turn it off! Turn it OFF!" She screamed as she ran toward it. There were people closer to it but they all seemed to be in a daze. Peeta emitted a loud scream as Antonius finished the last word, "Lilac" and Aurelia slammed the button on the radio. Everyone in the room was staring at Peeta, who sat straight up on his knees, his head lifted and his eyes blank. He was no longer writhing or screaming but looked perfectly calm, his darkened eyes fixed straight ahead. His hands were balled into fists and rested at his sides.

"Soldier Mellark, ready for orders."

"Disengage! DISENGAGE," Cretus yelled.

"Abort mission, Peeta Mellark. Abort," Aurelia cried as she knelt beside him. His body started shaking but when Katniss rose to help him, Aurelia shook her

head at her.

"General Mellark," Cretus said loudly. "Mission is completed. Disengage NOW." Peeta threw his head back and gasped. His eyes looked dilated but his tremors were fading. He groaned and covered his face in his hands. Cretus touched his shoulder as he passed, going forward to turn the radio back on. He switched channels and saw Coin's transmission signal coming from another supposedly secure channel.

"General Cretus here."

"Cretus, what was all of that about? Is Mellark with you?"

"The Minister's mission failed, President Coin. I will report later." He grimaced as he turned the radio off again but he couldn't risk it. If Antonius had gotten through a secure channel once, who's to say he couldn't do it again?

Peeta was panting into the floor and Aurelia sighed as she sank into her chair.

"What the HELL was that," Katniss asked her, fire flashing in her eyes.

"Continue with your meals please," Cretus called to the room, waving his arms as if attempting to wave the previous few minutes aside. He bent to help Peeta return to his chair and the Colonel collapsed against his wife. Katniss held him close, kissing his temple and running her fingers through his hair.

"Leo, what the fuck was that? What were those random words?"

"A code," Aurelia sighed into her hands. "To activate the venom inside him." Katniss glared at her then turned to Cretus.

"Explain." Cretus shook his head, mouthing wordlessly, which angered Katniss even further.

"Someone had better explain to me what just happened to my husband."

"Aurelia is right," a soft voice said beside her. Katniss's eyes widened as her sister pulled a chair up to the table on the other side of Peeta.

"When the super serum experiments became successful, Peeta was tortured even further to wipe his mind. With the amount of tracker-jacker venom that was injected into him, the scientists figured out a way to activate that venom when it was needed. They twisted his brain so he could become their weapon whenever it was needed. A stream of random key words was used to activate the venom, and acted as a switch, if you will. The switch turns on, and Peeta could be commanded to do anything. As soon as those key words are said, his mind reverts to weapon mode and he becomes this… machine. Trained to kill and follow orders. After his mission was complete, his mind was wiped again and he was sent back to training until the next mission. Antonius obviously

found the code."

"Prim," Katniss said shaikly. "How did-" Prim set a worn journal on the table and Katniss picked it up with shaky hands.

"It lists the experiments and the effects in detail. Antonius was obviously trying to weaponize him tonight, to make him kill you."

"But where did you get this? Why didn't you show it to me?"

"I asked her not to," Peeta said into her shoulder. He winced as he straightened up and he wiped a hand over his face. "She showed this to me today and I

asked her not to show it to you. I hate how upset you get, knowing what was done to me. I was just trying to spare your emotions a little bit." She huffed but

he still looked rough, a pained expression with trembling hands. She vowed to destroy Antonius, and after she was finished with the President, she would find everyone involved with the experiments and destroy them too.

"So how did you two know the magic words to stop him?" Aurelia glanced at Cretus, who sighed deeply.

"Peeta wasn't the only… soldier with the super serum. I mean, he was the only successful case but the experiment was attempted multiple times. As Commander, I was told about these experiments and taught about proper protocol. If we needed to stop a soldier from acting, we would tell them to disengage, just like a machine." Katniss's lips thinned; she did not react well to the comparison between a machine and her husband.

"I didn't know they could do that," Peeta said weakly, clutching his ribs. "It felt like someone was melting me from the inside."

"As Doc Everett has told you, the venom is still there," Cretus said sympathetically. "You remember how it felt this time because no orders were actually given. The words were said but then we stopped it from going any further."

"But I am working on a way to get rid of it," Prim said firmly. "Doctor Everett and I have been talking and reading this journal, and after the war, we will help you however we can. We WILL get that poison out of you, Peeta." Peeta reached down and squeezed her hand in thanks.

"So, Colonel Mellark, what did you need to talk about?"

"Not here," he winced as he made to stand. "Let's go to the basement. We need to plan. Aurelia has brought some disturbing news." Katniss and Prim supported him but Peeta gently shook them off, determined to look strong in front of the troops. They'd already seen him scream in pain and collapse, he didn't need them thinking he couldn't walk too.

Katniss and Haymitch followed him toward the basement, motioning for Finnick and Rye to join them. Prim returned to the table and Gale and Rory shot her a look before heading down to the basement too.

"Hey," Johanna stomped up behind them, yelling down to Peeta. "What the fuck was that, Mellark?"

"Get down here Johanna and stop screaming across the room." Johanna slammed the door behind her and followed them down the ladder.


Katniss tried to make him sit but he huffed and pointed to a chair.

"No, YOU need to sit. You shouldn't have walked in the first place."

"The time for that is over," she said crossly. "What am I supposed to do tomorrow, ride on your back into battle?"

"If that's what it takes for you to see that YOU CAN'T WALK," he threw back at her.

"Peeta!"

"Hold up," Gale raised his hand. "What do you mean, tomorrow?"

"That's why we need to talk. We have news."

"First, I want to know what happened to him," Johanna pointed at Peeta, looking seriously disturbed. Gale nodded in agreement.

"It's a part of the hijacking," he said dismissively. "Now, we-"

"Hang on, part of the hijacking? This is another way they can make sure you can kill Katniss?" Gale said in disbelief.

"Aurelia and Leo stopped me and turned the radio off in time."

"That's great and all but what about next time this happens?" Katniss glared at her friend.

"I'm getting really sick of you switching sides."

"Katniss, I'm not "switching sides," Gale said angrily. "I'm not saying anything against Peeta! I'm just worried. Worried for you and for him! You seem to think no matter what, he could never hurt you. He is still dangerous, BECAUSE you think that. You let your guard down. Both of you do. And he's dealt with so much already, now there is a secret code that can turn him into a killer? People have limits, you know! Even super soldiers!"

"Gale, I appreciate your concern," Peeta said softly. "Now that we know Antonius has the key words and could try again, we are prepared for next time."

"Why are you acting like this is normal? Someone knows words that can literally change you in half a second? That doesn't concern anyone else?" Johanna threw her arms up.

Finnick's hand on her arm made her pause.

"Peeta seems to have a handle on it, so let's move on to Aurelia's news," he said gently. Gale clenched his jaw but said nothing. Peeta shot Finnick a grateful nod.

"OK. Aurelia has discovered that Snow's troops will be moving out tonight to search for Katniss and me," Peeta said firmly. "We need to move the invasion up."

"You don't think that could be a trap or a false lead," Gale suggested. "He has no way of knowing if he was successful, making you lose your mind and kill Katniss. Why would he send out an army, if he thinks you killed her already?"

"You're confusing my father and Minister Antonius," Aurelia shook her head. "My father has dismissed Antonius. They are no longer working together. Antonius is trying to save himself, finding the key words to weaponize Peeta because he thinks that's the only way my father will trust him again. But from what I saw in his office, Antonius has as much of a target on his back as anyone else."

"Is he stupid enough to return to Caius's side when the fighting begins?" Aurelia glanced at Cretus and laughed humorlessly.

"You know Antonius. He seems stupid but he's fairly good at self-preservation. He was the one who Grandfather trusted to help put me in power. He has all the papers and such, with Grandfather's seal and signature. But my father approached him because Antonius knew how to be sneaky. Antonius knows how upset father is with him now though. He's messed up one too many times."

"Aurelia, he could come to you then," Cretus pointed out. "You're next in line. Antonius could come to you and offer his help to depose your father."

"Fantastic, another coup," Peeta groaned, shaking his head. Rye cocked his head and stepped forward.

"But listen, this could actually be a good thing. If Antonius helps Aurelia depose her father, she could then imprison them both and there would be no need for a war. It saves many, many lives."

"Except the fact that Snow is sending his troops out tonight. That doesn't exactly leave a lot of time for Aurelia and Antonius to chat," Finnick protested.

"Finnick is right. I don't think Antonius is much of a threat right now," Peeta nodded. "Our real worry is Snow and the number of soldiers he has. He is sending his troops out to search all of the stores. I can't believe he is doing such a thing at night, though, that seems a little… out of character for him."

"You think it's a false lead?"

"I don't know. Aurelia heard it from him so I guess it's true."

"Unless Daddy knows Little Miss Snow is playing with the rebels now," Johanna waved a hand. "And is deliberately feeding her false information." Aurelia gasped and everyone turned to her.

"Aurelia," Cretus said gently. "Do you think this could be true?"

"It... it's possible. But I've been so careful! I don't know how he could…" she trailed off, shaking her head.

"Listen, shops are closed this time of night," Johanna crossed her arms. "You really think Snow would bother his shopkeepers this late?"

"To find the Mockingjay? Yes," Gale scoffed.

"I agree with Soldier Hawthorne," Aurelia nodded. "Father just found out that Katniss is here in the Capitol. He will go to any lengths to find and capture her. Besides, he doesn't care about the shopkeepers. They're just another barrier between him and the Mockingjay."

"You said he intercepted a message from 13? Who was the message to? And from?"

"I'm not sure who it was meant for, but it was from Madame Coin." Peeta and Katniss exchanged looks.

"Coin meant for Snow to hear."

"Yeah, because she wants me to die in this war. For Snow to turn me into a martyr." Peeta's fists clenched and unclenched.

"Wait, wait, wait… are you saying what I think you're saying," Rory held out his hands.

"No time," Peeta shook his head. "We need to be ready to move out tonight. Aurelia has a plan to distract the search team. We have to spread the word and make sure our weapons are ready. We have more of an advantage of sneaking up on them when it's dark. If we split into teams, it will be easier to lead the troops through the city."

"Tonight? This is crazy!"

"I dunno," Finnick said thoughtfully. "It makes perfect sense actually. Pods will be deactivated because Snow's army will be moving through town. Mutts won't be on the streets for the same reason. If we want to maintain the element of surprise, it's the best time to go."

"But we still have hundreds of district people marching toward us. We are seriously outnumbered," Rory looked doubtful.

"Rory is right, we have to wait for the other soldiers."

"We don't have that kind of time," Peeta shook his head. "There aren't enough places to hide in Tigris's shop and since the city has been evacuated except for essential shops, we can't really blend in. Finnick is right, it's the best time to go."

"This is madness but the Colonel is right," Haymitch grunted. "It's our only shot."

"We'll go upstairs, inform everyone of what's happening, and give them a choice. If they don't want to fight, they can take their chances getting through the Capitol."

"Why give them a choice," Gale scowled. "We need all of the help we can get."

"I won't force someone to fight when our chances are so slim," Peeta said sadly. "But they don't stand much of a chance making it out of the Capitol without being spotted anyway. Still, that's their choice. Let's get moving, now."

People started to file out of the basement and Cressida popped her head around the corner.

"Ooh good you're finished! I didn't want to interrupt your meeting."

"Peeta and Katniss are still downstairs with Cretus and Aurelia, if you need them," Finnick held the door open until everyone had exited.

"Thanks," the young woman said as she rushed down to the basement.

"Katniss? You down here?"

"Hey Cressida, come on down. Just finishing up some war talk." Cressida straightened up in front of them and her eyes widened as they locked on Peeta.

"Hey Peeta, I'm Cressida. I've been wanting to introduce myself but it hasn't been the right time."

"Cressida, Katniss has told me all about you. It's great to meet you. Thank you for all your work with the propos."

"Oh, did you get to see them?" She sounded excited. Peeta rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Um, I saw one… where she was at the bakery. Although I don't remember much of it because… the hijacking…. But I'm sure it was great." He cleared his throat and chewed on his lip.

"Katniss is the star, I'm just there to make sure we capture it all," Cressida shrugged good-naturedly. "Anyway, I wanted to talk to you both about something." She held up a piece of equipment and Peeta blinked in confusion.

"Umm, what am I looking at?"

"I set up some camera equipment at base camp, to film the war efforts. Something huge landed on the border, just a few minutes ago."

"Shit," Cretus exclaimed. "The other hovercraft from 13! I completely forgot!"

"And our radios are off," Peeta's eyes were wide. "Shit, we have to get to them!"

"You stay here and get the troops ready. I'll take a few soldiers and go get the new recruits."

"Be fast, Leo," Peeta said anxiously. "We don't know when Snow's army will be coming through." Leo nodded and rushed back upstairs. Cressida gave a little wave and retreated as well.

"Aurelia, what kind of distraction were you thinking of for the search team?" Aurelia's lips curled into a sly grin.


"Soldiers," Cretus barked as he flung his gun over his shoulder. "I need some volunteers to come with me to the border. We have an incoming hovercraft with soldiers and supplies. Finnick, I want you to stay here and help Peeta ready the troops. You too, Gale. Whoever comes with me, we have to be fast. Get in, unload supplies, and get out. Understand?"

"I'll go," Johanna nodded.

"So will I," Rye shouldered his gun.

"I'm going to stay here with the kids and help plan our next steps," Haymitch said heavily. "Take Jackson with you, since she knows the 13 soldiers. Just in case they're not in the mood to listen to you." Cretus nodded, his jaw clenched.

"Got it. Get ready to move out, soldiers. Ten minutes."

Haymitch turned and saw Katniss coming out of the basement. She steadied herself against the door, her teeth gritted in pain.

"Sweetheart, you should sit down."

"I just need to have a word with Doctor Everett," she said dismissively. Haymitch sighed as he watched her rush to the other room.

"Doctor, may I have a word with you?" The doctor nodded and followed her up the stairs.


"PLEASE sir! I just need-"

"I'm sorry, Katniss," he held up his hand. "I gave you a dosage this morning. Too much of this medicine can have ghastly effects. I will not risk giving you another injection."

"Doctor, we are going to war tonight! And Peeta threatened to carry me on his back! I have to be able to walk on my own!"

"There is nothing further I can do," he said, not unkindly. "Perhaps you can be of use to the war effort in some other way. A way that doesn't involve you marching to the mansion."

"You're telling me to let my husband lead the troops by himself? I won't do that. I won't leave his side."

"Then consider allowing him to carry you."

"That's ridiculous!"

"So is this," he threw his hands into the air. "This argument that you keep having with Peeta, it has to stop. You are injured, Mrs. Mellark. You can hardly stand up straight without leaning on something. If you march with the troops, you will die."

"But-"

"That's my final word on this, Katniss. Excuse me." Katniss watched him brush past and back down the stairs. She sat on the bed and pulled her foot up, glaring at her ankle. The swelling was down but she could still feel pain.

It didn't matter, right? She was not going to leave Peeta's side, no matter how much he begged her.

"I have to be there," she tried to reason with herself. "I'm the Mockingjay. People need me there."

Oh really? What will you be there for? To rally the troops? For moral support? You'll only be in the way.

She huffed and grabbed her bag from the floor. She dug through for a moment before withdrawing and opening her hand. In her palm sat her father's mockingjay pin. She turned it over in her hand, chewing on her lip.

"What would you do, Dad? If you knew you were going to die… would you still do it?"

Her father had to have known he would eventually get caught. And yet, he went on with the propos and the meetings anyway. Even when the love of his life begged him not to.

He did it anyway and he paid the price. Well, actually, no, HE didn't. His wife and daughters and best friend did.

Katniss stared at the pin, thinking. Her sister was almost grown and didn't really need her to survive,

Her mother would be fine without her.

And Peeta? Well if he made it through this, he could be angry with her, but…

She felt a pain in her heart and winced.
What if he didn't make it through this? And she did?

How would she live with herself? Two and a half months without him had nearly killed her.

How was she supposed to face this with a brave face?

She huffed and dropped the pin in her lap. She turned and leaned down to bury her face in his pillow. That whole side of the bed smelled like him.

A part of her nagged at her to quit sulking and to get back downstairs to help with plans.

But it was the scent of her husband that made her stay where she was.

She had no idea what was going to happen. But whether she joined the group downstairs or stayed here in this bed, the war was coming.

It was on their doorstep. And as much as she wanted to hide Peeta away from the world, she knew she couldn't. He was brave and selfless and would do anything to keep her safe.

She knew what she had to do.

Pocketing the gold mockingjay, she wiped at her face and stepped onto the first stair with a steady foot.