Chapter 7:

Mendalius Xavier, President of Panem

One Month Before The Quell

The call was made to assemble the Council as soon as Mendalius was off the phone with the warden of the prison. He can't say he is completely shocked that the rebels attempted this. He's been expecting it but he certainly didn't think they would succeed.

Mendalius lets out a heavy sigh as he stares at the door to his office, silently sipping tea as he waits for the three Council members to arrive. It has been awhile since they were called to deal with something of this magnitude, most of the recent meetings being of a positive nature to discuss logistics of the new universities. He had counted on his Council often in the early years of his presidency but now he only calls on them for the most important situations.

It's safe to say that the escape of the eldest daughter of one of the five rebel leaders is certainly one of those situations.

The first to arrive, not to any surprise to Mendalius, is Theodosius Cordessi. If there was a single person who exemplified everything people believed about residents of District Two, that person is Theodosius. A tall, hulking man, he does not look a day over 50, let alone his actual age of 66. His appearance contains remnants of his time leading the Peacekeepers in District Two. He's the most patriotic man that Mendalius knows and he will make sure everyone knows how much he supports the Capitol. It was precisely for those reasons that Mendalius chose him.

Right behind Theodosius is the person to counter him, Luciano Samson. A very valuable member of the Council, Luciano keeps Mendalius in check to the needs of the rest of the Districts. Hailing from District Seven, they've kept their appearance matching that of their old companions instead of embracing life in the Capitol. But the ability to blend back in to Seven is crucial for their connection to the rebels. Luciano has been working as a double agent for years, which makes them extremely valuable now given what has happened.

But the most valuable person to Mendalius on the Council is the last one to enter, Rosabella Venezia. Coming from right here in the Capitol, she has been on the Cabinet the longest of the three at 30 years now and Mendalius would have been lost without her many times. Not only does she always give suggestions for the best of all of Panem, not just the Capitol or the Districts, she's been a good friend to him. She's one of the few people he considers as a daughter.

There's a somber mood among the three of them as they take their seats across from him, all too aware that he wouldn't have called a sudden meeting like this if it wasn't something terrible. And he hates admitting it to himself, but he's afraid of the consequences. "Hello everyone. I wish I wasn't calling you in but we have a national security threat to address. Khaya Christian has escaped." Mendalius pauses, taking a sip of his tea to try and collect his thoughts as various degrees of shock pass over the three faces. Luciano doesn't quite look surprised at all and Mendalius addresses them first, "You're not surprised…"

Luciano looks around at the others before shrugging at Mendalius. "Given what I know about their rebel leaders and how they feel about their children, I'm not surprised they would attempt to break her out. But I'm surprised they succeeded."

"This never would have happened under my guard," Theodosius says coolly, but Mendalius can see the disappointment in his eyes. "If I was warden and knew an extremely valuable prisoner was being transported, I would have personally escorted them."

"I need you on my council, not watching over prisoners," Mendalius tells him, not wanting to get in an argument about this now. Theodosius is right, no doubt about it. But his knowledge and sway with the population of Two would be wasted guarding the prison. "Rosabella? You're quiet about this…"

"Well, I'm worried," she says softly, glancing at the two people on either side of her. "I feel like there's more to this than just rescuing a family member. Why rescue her so close to the start of the Quell?"

"That's my concern as well…" Mendalius agrees with her quietly, watching the other two both grow concerned as they realize this too. He taps his fingers on his desk, trying to think of what to do next. "First concern is to figure out what they're up to. Luciano?"

"On it," they respond immediately, nodding their head at him. "I think it's time for me to make a trip back home to Seven and see what I can find out."

"Just be careful there," Mendalius tells them and they nod their head, but they both know Luciano won't be safe until they are back in the Capitol. "Theodosius, can you send your best undercover agents with them?"

"Absolutely. I can even go with them if you want me to."

Mendalius smiles a little at him and holds out his hand, having expected his response. "No, I have something for you to do here. I want you protecting the Games Headquarters from now until we have stopped the rebels. I want everyone there protected, the tributes, the victors, all the Gamemakers. I don't want Tara Lukianas killing me if her only son gets shot again."

"They'll all be safe under my watch," Theodosius manages to sit up even straighter, looking proud that the President is giving him this task. "Nothing like what happened last year is going to happen again."

"What about me?" Rosabella asks, looking a little disappointed that she hasn't been assigned a task yet.

"You're going to be working with me," Mendalius tells her, knowing he needs her guidance with the next steps. "Because with each step towards improving the country, their resistance grows. I simply don't understand and I want to. Do they not see what I'm trying to do?"

"They do, sir," Luciano says matter-of-factly, and of course they know the answer. "But it's not enough for them. Not until the Games end."

"Do they think we're blind to the fact that children die each year?" Rosabella speaks up, quick to defend Mendalius, and Luciano just gives her a look stating that's exactly what the rebels think. "We need to have the support of every District if we were to make a change. If even one District doesn't support us, it will ultimately fail. And Theodosius can tell you better than me just how well One and Two would take a change to the Games."

"Not well, unless…" Theodosius pauses, immediately making Mendalius curious what he is thinking. He is a man that simply does not hesitate. "If you get the support of victors, the rest of the District will soon follow. You know my niece, her husband, and grandmother will provide support if I talk to them."

"Yes, we know you're related to victors," Luciano barely contains their distrust towards people that would willingly go into the Games. "You find a way to mention it every time we meet."

"Can you blame me?" Theodosius laughs at them, not caring that they are bothered by his victor relatives. "I'm proud that my niece won the Fifth Quarter Quell and I won't ever not be proud of her."

Mendalius holds up his hand to stop Luciano before they start arguing, all too familiar with the signs and that is exactly where they're heading now. "Theodosius has a good point about the victors. One and Two look up to their victors probably more than they look up to the Capitol. We need to make sure we have their support."

"I will talk to Glacia," Theodosius says with a single nod of his head. "District Two will not let you down."

"Well neither will Seven," Luciano quickly says and Mendalius shares an amused look with Rosabella. Luciano might just be the only person to stand up to the former commander of the Peacekeepers. "You think Stefan wants to keep watching kids die each year after being Seven's only victor for years? And they'll all get their friends to support this."

Theodosius looks amused by their challenge before they both turn their attention back to Mendalius. But the next one to speak up is Rosabella, "I bet I could get more victors supporting us than both of you combined."

"Unlikely."

"I doubt that."

Mendalius watches with an amused look as Rosabella shrugs at the two, knowing exactly what strings she could pull. "Did either of you two spend the last year working with Clark? No?"

"I think," Mendalius starts as he watches the smug look on Rosabella's face and stops the others before they can start talking again, knowing they're quickly getting derailed. "It will not be a problem getting the support of the victors should we ever act, even in the career Districts. But right now, we need to be focused on the immediate threat of the rebels. I don't want everything I worked for my entire life to come crashing down because I couldn't pay attention to the wants of my country."

Luciano is the first to speak up, all joking aside, "Sir, we won't let that happen. You've worked harder than anyone else I've ever known to improve Panem."

"Agreed, sir," Theodosius echoes, giving a swift nod of his head.

Mendalius smiles at the two, fully appreciating the support they're providing to him now and have provided over the years. "Thank you. Now, we have tasks to do." Mendalius stands up at that and the three quickly follow after him. "Luciano, there's a train of supplies heading out to Seven that you can be on. And Theodosius, well, you know your way to the Games Headquarters. I'll call ahead and let Seraphim know you'll be there indefinitely."

"Yes, sir," Theodosius salutes him and Mendalius smiles in return before the man turns around and walking out, still as if he is working in the Peacekeepers.

Luciano waits until the door is shut to address Mendalius. "My communication will probably be limited once I get to Seven. Anything else I should try to learn more about while I'm there?"

"Keep track of anything suspicious that's happening or just occurred," Mendalius tells them, growing concerned for them even though they're the safest person to send to the rebels. "And stay safe."

"I'll try my best, sir," Luciano answers before following after Theodosius.

Mendalius waits until the door is shut to let out a sigh and sit back down. He rubs his eyes before looking at Rosabella, seeing she wants to tell him something. "You can say whatever it is you're hesitating about."

"Sir…" Rosabella says carefully as she sits back down across from him. She nervously picks at her lip, a habit Mendalius has noticed she's been doing a lot lately. "I think it might be time to implement the plan."

Khaya Christian, Rebel

As Khaya stumbles after Ashla through the outskirts of Seven and closer to civilization, barely able to hold back her tears enough to see where she's going, she can only hope the group has a plan.

They had been met at their landing site by a small group in Peacekeeper outfits, nearly making Khaya take one of the abandoned guns and end things before ever going back to being a prisoner. She could not take one more day in that hell. But it turned out the majority of the group are actual Peacekeepers in Seven, and, much to her surprise, her sister Larisa. But the reunion was far from warm as Larisa quickly led them away, ordering one of guards to take Cedar's body.

Khaya has been unable to look at the guard carrying her friend, refusing to admit that he's gone and it's all her fault. She'd much rather face the glares of her sister desperate for the role she has than the loss of Cedar. "Larisa," she wheezes as she struggles to keep up with her, her body so week from nearly a year in prison. "Where are we going?"

Seconds pass as they start passing some residences, hidden in the trees by the rapidly darkening sky, and Khaya starts to think that Larisa won't answer her. "The current safe house," she finally says as they enter the backyard of a very large house. Khaya stares up at it, wondering just who is living there and supporting the rebels.

"Wait…safe house?" Khaya asks, Larisa as a guard steps out from the house to meet them. Larisa takes off her helmet and she's recognized immediately. The guard steps aside, quickly motioning them inside the house. Khaya freezes at the doorway, stumbling back into one of the guards as she sees the commander of the Peacekeepers in Seven standing there. "Larisa, get back!"

"Khaya, it's okay."

Khaya lets out a sob at the voice and the Head Peacekeeper steps aside, allowing Khaya to see her father standing there. Ilarion Christian holds out his arms and Khaya stumbles into them, clutching her father's chest and just letting out the tears she's kept pent up since the escape started. "Dad!"

"Oh I'm so glad you're safe," he whispers, running a hand over her hair. "I never should have let you leave."

"It was my choice," Khaya tells him as she steps back. He wipes away her tears before kissing the top of her head, clearly trying to hold back his own tears. "I wanted to do this to help the cause."

"I know, honey, I know," he replies and keeps running a hand over her hair. He starts frowning as he looks over her, "I should have convinced Vera to send out the rescue party sooner. Speaking of," he glances over his shoulder before turning back to Khaya, "Come with me."

Khaya nods her head, really unsure what else she can even say to him right now with how tight her throat feels right now. He leads her further into the house, keeping a hand protectively on her shoulder as they reach the living room and Khaya comes to a stop, completely surprised by all the people present.

There's only been one time Khaya has ever seen all three rebel leaders and their children together in one place. She has never seen all five leaders and family together at one time. There's herself and her father Ilarion, who takes his place next to Anton Martinez. Khaya can barely make eye contact with him, knowing she's the reason his eldest son is now dead. She doesn't want to see the pain there that's present in her own eyes.

Khaya recognizes Pierre Ottlinger from what her father has described of their appearance before. It's pretty safe to say the person with tanned skin and sun kissed hair is the rebel leader from Four. They give her a lazy smile and a nod of their head that she tries to return. Then there is Rosana Arnott from Eleven. Khaya's heard stories of her and she has always admired the woman related to the girl that helped build Katniss into the Mockingjay all those years ago. If these two are here, either life in their home Districts has gotten very bad or something very big has been planned while she's been gone.

And then there's the woman Khaya risked everything for: Vera Snow. Daughter of Celestia Snow, no one would have guessed the granddaughter of the worst president in the history of Panem would become the leaders of the rebels. But when she was kidnapped as a child during the last rebellion, she proved to resent everything her grandfather stood for. And Vera Snow is no different.

"Hello, ma'am," Khaya says nervously as she steps into the center of the room. She keeps her eyes down nervously, not wanting to meet the gazes of the most important people in the rebellion. She resents this, knowing she never would have acted this way before her time in prison.

"Welcome home," Vera says calmly, taking a few steps closer to Khaya. She nervously brings up her gaze, finding Vera's stare warm but calculating. "We are glad to have you safe here again but…deeply saddened by what happened to Cedar."

Khaya can hear Anton Martinez barely hold back a sob and refuses to meet his gaze. "It's my fault," she whispers, knowing she's going to regret this the rest of her life. "He died saving me."

"He knew the risks of the mission, just like you did when you first went to the Capitol," Vera tells her resolutely and Khaya obediently nods her head. "It's a risk we all take to end the corruption in the country," she raises her voice and looks around at the whole group. She brings her gaze back to Khaya, fixing her with a look that she can't break away from. "Khaya, we need you to tell us everything you learned in the Capitol about the Quell. It's of the utmost importance to ensure our plan is a success." Vera tells her and Khaya nods her head, more than willing to tell them every detail she memorized and couldn't transmit home out of fear her communications were being monitored. Vera steps towards her then, her gaze relaxing as she runs a hand over Khaya's hair before pulling her into a gentle hug. "But first, get some rest. Spend some time with your family. You've been through so much."

"Thank you, ma'am," Khaya whispers to her before being let go. Vera steps back, gives her a single nod before leaving the room.

Pierre and Rosana give her looks of acknowledgement before following after Vera. Khaya doesn't expect anything else from them since she's never met them before. She finally looks over at Anton Martinez, finding her friend's father refusing to look over at her as he leaves the room.

Her father steps over towards her, putting a hand on her shoulder once more. "We have a few more things to discuss tonight. But we'll just be in the next room over so if you need me, let me know."

"I will," Khaya whispers, not trusting her voice to not crack if she tries to raise it.

He gives her an encouraging smile, still barely keeping it together himself at finally seeing her home. "I love you, Khaya, and I would do anything for you. Don't forget that."

"I won't," Khaya responds and he lets go over her shoulder to follow after the rest of the leaders. Khaya slowly turns around, not quite sure if she's ready to face the other children of the leaders. She shouldn't be afraid, these people are her friends, the others who will someday take over for their parents just like her…but she's not the same person as she was when she left. And Cedar's loss is going to be so obvious among them.

But before she can turn around, her second closest friend in Seven steps towards her. Elin Martinez-Snow hugs her tightly and it takes a few seconds for Khaya to hug them back. "I'm so glad you're alive. I couldn't have lost both of you."

At that, any hope of avoiding tears is gone and she's sobbing in their arms. "Cedar…"

"I know," Elin sniffles as they release Khaya, taking her hand and keeping her close. Khaya holds on tightly, needing the comfort right now. "Let me introduce you to Josefine and Niek Ottlinger, and Rona Arnott."

They politely smile at her and Khaya tries to do the same, but she's all too aware that there's a family missing. She turns back to Elin, knowing she has a promise to keep. "Elin…Cedar made me promise him something."

"What was it?" Elin asks, concern filling their kind face. Khaya has no clue how they've stayed so kind over the years, unable to be turned into their mother yet. "I'll help you. Anything for him."

"He…" Khaya hesitates, unsure how much Elin knows about Cedar's life here. "He said he has a child…? He made me promise to protect him."

"Oh…" Elin's face falls at this and they let out a sigh, pushing their hair back in the nervous gesture they've done since they were a child. "Yeah…about that…"

"What? What's wrong?"

"It's…complicated."

Hi we interrupt your regularly scheduled introductions for some subplot. We will return to your scheduled program next chapter.

So...bet you weren't expecting this chapter lol. Why not take a break in the middle of the intros with this fun little chapter? So what could be the plans? *thinking emoji* Well I hope you enjoyed this fun look at both the President and Khaya in the immediate aftermath of the prison escape! Anyone you want to see more of in future chapters? And are you supporting the Capitol or the rebels?

I've added a bunch of stuff to the blog, including some information about all the people introduced in this chapter and others from the previous chapters! So be sure to check that out!

Alright for real next chapter is going to be the District Seven intros lol. I just wanted to post this chapter to take a break from the intros! So see you hopefully this weekend with Adam and Carameuse!