CHAPTER 20

PART I

I must admit, Boggs said to himself as he watched Katniss speak to the Rebel soldiers clustered around her, Katniss Everdeen really has a way with the troops.

Katniss Everdeen had reached near-legendary status with the Rebels. Her Victory during the Hunger Games, and her almost inhuman skill with a bow and arrow, had made her a pre-Rebellion celebrity in her own right. But, as the Mockingjay, she had discovered that the Rebel soldiers – most, if not all, coming from circumstances in their own districts that were like those that Katniss had endured in her first sixteen years – related to her, because she was one of them.

Soldiers meeting Katniss Everdeen for the first time may have been expecting the courageous, determined Mockingjay that they had seen on the propos. They were surprised, and some a little disappointed, to instead meet a small, somewhat shy girl that had no trouble in admitting that, like them, she felt fear and uncertainty whenever she faced battle. What won them over was the realization that this girl had, in fact, done everything that the propos showed her doing, and still could admit to feeling the very emotions that the soldiers themselves felt.

Katniss was not a polished public speaker, and sometimes had trouble finding the right words to express how she felt, but her fellow soldiers didn't mind. She truly was one of them.

Boggs glanced at his watch. Noon. Haymitch and I are expected to take lunch with the local commander and his staff, where I'll have to explain why Katniss chose to eat with the troops instead of the brass. He chuckled softly to himself. Nothing like taking them down a notch – especially the local commander. He's practically bursting with self-importance. And when Haymitch starts in on him –

"Excuse me, Colonel." Boggs turned away from Katniss and her throng of admirers. His driver stood nearby, the latest code book in his hand. "I have priority scrambled traffic inbound from Lieutenant Jackson."

Boggs, surprised, raised his eyebrows. "Jackson? And she actually scrambled the inbound traffic?" The use of a scrambler was reserved for radio traffic of an urgent and/or sensitive nature. If Jackson was scrambling her message –

The driver nodded. "Yes, sir." He gestured with one arm. "In our vehicle, Colonel. I've already gone secure."

Boggs nodded his thanks and climbed into the cab of his command truck. He carefully shut the door before placing the headset over his ears and adjusting the boom microphone. Only then did he depress the push-to-talk button.

"Mockingjay Five," Boggs said in clipped tones, "this is Mockingjay Six Actual. Go ahead, over."

There was a short delay before Jackson's familiar voice – now slightly distorted by the secure scramblers – crackled in his ears. "Six Actual, this is Five. Prepare to copy operational immediate sitrep. Over."

Boggs frowned. A situation report? And an operational immediate – that was the highest priority for any radio traffic. Something happened at the refugee center, Boggs said to himself. Something bad. He picked up the message book that his driver had left for him, pulled a pen from his jacket pocket, and depressed the push-to-talk button. "Send your traffic, Five. Over."

Jackson was a professional. Her report was concise and by the book. It took her no longer than three minutes to relay to Boggs the catastrophe that had befallen the refugee center. When she finished talking, Boggs issued a single command. "Dispatch a high-speed hovercraft to my location."

"Roger," Jackson replied. "I've got one standing by. They'll be wheels-up in thirty seconds. ETA your location…thirty minutes."

"Copy that," Boggs said, and then added, "have you been in contact with home base?"

Home base was District Thirteen. "Negative," came the immediate response.

Boggs wrestled with the temptation to use the high-powered communications equipment that was available in the staging area headquarters. No, he thought. The fewer people in on this information, the better…for now, anyway. "I'll contact them from the hovercraft," Boggs finally said. "I want to keep things under wraps regarding Katniss. If she was the actual target, I don't want to let the enemy know that they missed. Keep me posted if anything changes."

"Roger, Six Actual. Five out."

Slowly, Boggs removed the headset and glanced quickly at his watch. Thirty minutes. He had thirty minutes to somehow break the news to Katniss Everdeen that her beloved sister, Primrose, had been severely injured during an assassination attempt, and that Katniss herself had apparently been the assassin's target. He sighed heavily and slowly opened the door to his command truck, scanning the immediate area for any sign of Haymitch Abernathy.

I'll tell Abernathy first, Boggs said to himself as he stepped out of the truck. He's practically family with Katniss. And it's always better to have family present when you are delivering bad news.

The image on the view screen was grainy and full of static. "President Coin," the man in the image said insistently, "my plan relies on air support, and you have the greatest number of operational fighter-bombers. Without them –"

"General Beck," Coin interrupted sternly, "we cannot support this plan. District Two has been effectively isolated from the eastern districts. There is no strategic necessity for an assault such as the one that you propose. The answer is no. No hovercraft."

General Lucius Beck removed his hat and ran his hand over his closely-cropped hair. "Dammit all, woman! Peacekeepers from Two have been conductin' raids all along my western frontier, foraging for food and supplies. There's no other significant fightin' goin' on right now. I have a real chance at drivin' those sons of bitches clear back to the Nut!"

"General," Coin replied coldly, "you are encouraged to take whatever measures that District Ten feels necessary to secure your frontier. But this adventure smacks of individual districts fighting their own war against the Capitol. Need I remind you that the First Rebellion failed, in part, due to lack of cooperation between districts?"

"But –"

"Keep me posted, General," Coin said. "District Thirteen out."

Coin tapped a control on her desk, and the view screen suddenly went dark. She allowed herself a quick smile. I shouldn't feel satisfaction at putting Beck in his place, she thought, but I do. It was then that she noticed her personal assistant, Henry Elliott, standing in the doorway. "You have something for me, Henry?"

Henry shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat. "There's been an – incident, President Coin. In District Eight."

"Define 'incident,' Henry," Coin said impatiently.

"An attack," Henry replied softly. "Against our medical team. There was…some sort of explosion. And a man, dressed as a refugee, shot and killed two gate guards. He was taken into custody without a struggle. They think he had something to do with the…explosion."

Coin sat bolt upright. "Who reported this?" she demanded. "Boggs?"

Henry shook his head. "Someone from Paylor's staff. I don't remember the name. He's in charge of the refugee camp in Eight."

"I want to speak to Boggs," Coin ordered. "Why hasn't he reported?"

"I…I don't know, ma'am," Henry said. "Communications called as soon as they received the transmission from Eight. They said they tried to call you directly, but your comm unit was set to 'Do Not Disturb.'"

While I was talking to Beck, Coin said to herself. "Was there a…casualty report?"

Henry nodded slowly. "Primrose Everdeen, Sperantia Blackstone, and the Career Victors, Gloss and Enobaria." He paused for a moment before continuing. "The transmission cut off before comm could get details, and they couldn't re-establish contact. I…I'm sorry, ma'am."

"What about the Mockingjay?" Coin asked, her voice trembling slightly. "Katniss Everdeen? What about her?"

"The explosion was in the triage tent where they were all working," Henry replied. Softly, he added, "They were still pulling bodies out when the transmission was cut off. There was no report on the condition of Primrose Everdeen or the others. Just that they were in the tent and identified."

"I want to talk to Boggs," Coin ordered. "That's top priority, Henry."

Henry hesitated. "What if Colonel Boggs was in the tent also?"

"We don't know that, Henry," Coin replied. Henry simply nodded in response and turned to leave. "Wait a moment."

"Yes, ma'am?"

"After you get Boggs on comm," Coin said deliberately, "I want you to prepare a statement for me, that I will broadcast to the Rebel districts." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "A memorial statement, honoring those that died during the terror bombing." She paused again. "Include Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark in that statement. We can edit once we have confirmation of survivors – if there were any."

Henry nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

"One more thing, Henry," Coin said wearily. "Contact Majors Zander and Festuca and have them report to me." She paused for a moment before adding, "Lieutenant Potter, Plutarch Heavensbee, and Casca Bishop as well. If we have lost the Mockingjay, I want to get started on an alternate plan as soon as possible."

"Yes, ma'am," Henry said.

"That's all for now, Henry. You may go."

"Yes, President Coin."

"President Snow."

Coriolanus Snow's eyes opened with effort and he blinked rapidly, trying to clear the cobwebs from his brain even as he swung his legs off the couch that he had been reclining on. I don't think I've had a decent nights' sleep since this Uprising began, he said to himself. When it's over. When it's over I'll catch up on my sleep.

Snow focused on the figure standing in the doorway. "You have news, Spartacus?"

Spartacus inclined his head slightly. "We've heard from our operative inside Thirteen, sir. It appears that the operation in Eight was a success."

Snow stood slowly and fixed Spartacus with a steady gaze. "'Appears,' you say? That's not a word that I would choose to report the unfortunate demise of the Rebellion's beloved Mockingjay."

Spartacus shifted uncomfortably. "Our operative is attempting to confirm the casualty list, President Snow. But the asset responded to Everdeen's scent, just as it was designed to do. The asset's handler detonated the explosive upon hearing the asset's confirmation howl. Surprise and speed were our allies in this attack, sir."

Snow nodded thoughtfully. "Order the ministers to a special meeting, Spartacus. Pending any conflicting information, we will assume that the Mockingjay is, in fact, no longer among the living." He paused as he sunk into the plush, high-backed chair behind his desk. "If that is the case, we need a new plan." He smiled grimly. "This pathetic Rebellion will wither and die on the vine without their figurehead." He turned towards Spartacus. "Contact my ministers, Spartacus. I want them here within the next two hours."

Spartacus nodded. "Yes, sir."

"You may go, Spartacus."

"Yes, President Snow."

PART II

I couldn't believe that there was anyone left alive in the triage tent after that explosion.

Primrose Everdeen and Sperantia Blackstone were still alive – shielded from the worst of the blast by Gloss and Enobaria, who had tackled the girls to the ground and absorbed the blast with their own bodies. In fact, Sperantia was conscious when the soldiers and medics finally cut away enough material to reach her. Even Enobaria was still alive, although in much worse shape than both Prim and Sperantia. Enobaria and Speri were found lying behind a heavy table that appeared to have shielded them from the blast somewhat. Whether Enobaria toppled the table deliberately or if she simply knocked it over when she tackled Speri – well, I doubt if anyone will ever know for sure.

Gloss, on the other hand, was not so lucky. Neither was the family of refugees that happened to be in the tent when the bomb exploded.

I saw Gloss when they carried him out. He had been punctured by so many fragments – medical supplies, pieces of furniture, even shards of bone from the animal (a mutt, I learned later, that was a virtual living bomb) that had been blown to bits – that he looked…well, deflated. For that matter, so did the mother and father of the refugee family that happened to be in the tent during the attack. The man and woman had probably been facing towards the blast, as they were unrecognizable. The little girl, however, was scarcely touched. One of the soldiers told me that her parents had probably had just enough time to push her behind them. She almost looked like she was asleep – except for the blood trickling from her closed eyes, her ears, her nose, and her mouth.

It was heartbreaking, seeing an entire family killed in a place that was supposed to offer them sanctuary. But what made it even worse was Speri's anguished wail when she first saw the lifeless body of the little girl. I doubt if anyone there will ever forget Speri's outpouring of grief, or the little girl's name, Calico, that Speri sobbed out over and over.

Pollux was there also, his camera capturing every moment. Soon, all Panem would know the name Calico.

Finnick Odair wordlessly handed me a water bottle as I paused to wipe my sweating face with a grimy scrap of cloth. We had both been working with the soldiers and medics in clearing away our triage tent and its contents. The bodies of the victims – both living and dead – had been removed first, but their blood was a grim reminder of what had just happened here.

I nodded my thanks and drank deeply. "I don't envy you," Finnick said as I wiped my mouth on my sleeve.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You have to tell Katniss," he replied matter-of-factly. "How do you think she'll take it?"

Katniss. "Not very well," I muttered. The sound of a hovercraft lifting into the sky caused us both to glance over our shoulders. As we watched, it quickly gained altitude and streaked off westward. I had a feeling that it was enroute to wherever Katniss was. Boggs wouldn't waste time traveling overland. Not after something like this.

"You won't have to tell her," a voice said from off to our left. Lieutenant Jackson was striding towards us quickly, trailed by the rest of our security squad. "I've already reported to Boggs. He gets to tell Katniss – not you." I was oddly relieved that the news of Prim's narrow escape would be delivered by someone else.

"Do you have any idea just what happened?" Finnick asked.

Jackson rubbed one hand over her face and sighed wearily. "Not completely. But it appears that the attack was controlled by a man masquerading as a refugee." She shook her head. "It doesn't make any sense. He shot and killed two guards and loosed the animal on your triage tent. But, once the attack was completed, he just sat down on the ground and waited to be taken into custody."

"He's Capitol?" I asked tightly. Damn Snow!

Jackson shrugged. "Our best guess is either Capitol or a Peacekeeper from Two. We just don't have a lot of info yet. We are pretty certain that the animal was a mutt. Witnesses reported that it moved too quickly for it to be a natural dog, and it wasn't wearing any kind of harness, so the explosive charge had to have been inside the animal."

"So why this attack? Why today?" I asked angrily. "Was Katniss the target? Was I?"

Jackson motioned Finnick and I to lean closer before she replied. "We think the primary target was Katniss. Which means, for now, we let Snow and company think that he killed her. That way, the target is off her back."

"Do you think that'll work?" Finnick asked. "After all, a lot of people know that she left this morning."

"Only those that went with her and those that worked in this tent," Jackson replied. "Even the administrator here didn't know that she took off early this morning."

"How long do you think you'll be able to keep that a secret?" Finnick continued.

"Long enough to get her back to Thirteen – alive," Jackson replied. She looked at Finnick and I thoughtfully. "But, we don't know for sure that Katniss was the principle target. So, until we get back to Thirteen, everyone – you two especially – will be kept under guard." As she spoke, the soldiers with her stepped forward. It was apparent that they were here to ensure that nothing happened to Finnick and I.

Jackson gestured towards our security detachment. "After you, soldiers."

"Where are we going?" I asked as we walked towards the center of camp.

"Administration," Jackson replied curtly. "It's the most secure area here." She gave me a sidelong glance. "I don't mind telling you that I was worried about you at first. No one knew for sure if you were in the tent when…" Her voice trailed off, leaving the obvious unsaid.

"Yeah," is all I managed to say.

"What about the others?" Finnick asked. "The survivors?"

"They're going back with us," Jackson said. "That hovercraft that you just saw leave? It's on the way to pick up Katniss and her party. It'll be back here in an hour. The docs need the time to stabilize Primrose, Sperantia, and Enobaria. Once it's back we load up and take off. We'll be back in Thirteen by nightfall."

"And you really think it'll work?" Finnick asked. "Passing off Katniss as dead, I mean."

Jackson shrugged. "That decision was made by Boggs and Abernathy." We reached the main administration building and Jackson pulled open a door. "Go on in. Make yourselves comfortable. You have an hour or so."

I recognized the tone in her voice. Any argument would be useless.

PART III

Boggs grabbed a hand-hold dangling from the upper bulkhead as the hovercraft shuddered slightly. "It's confirmed, President Coin," he said somberly. "Katniss Everdeen is dead."

Both the pilot and co-pilot looked at Boggs sharply. In response, he shook his head slightly and pressed a finger to his lips. "That…that's news I really wasn't prepared for, Colonel Boggs," Coin's voice, surprisingly thick with emotion, crackled over the earbuds that Boggs was wearing. "I will have to prepare a statement for the other Rebel districts."

"She actually sounds choked up," Katniss muttered dryly. She was wearing a pair of headphones so she could listen in on the conversation, although, with no microphone, she couldn't speak to anyone. "I had no idea I meant that much to her."

Boggs let his rebuke die on his tongue. Katniss was much calmer now than she had been an hour earlier, when he and Haymitch Abernathy had broken the news about her sister, Prim. She let it turn to something else, Boggs thought. She's angry…no, furious…about what happened to her sister. But she's calm, and I'm not about to get her worked up again by reaming her for her smart-ass remarks. "That sounds like a good idea, ma'am," Boggs finally said in response to Coin.

"And the others?" Coin's voice asked. "Peeta Mellark, Andromeda Snow, and the rest? Their status?"

Boggs snapped his fingers at Haymitch, who looked up irritably from a report that he had been reading. "I need the casualty list," he whispered, his hand cupping the microphone.

Wordlessly, Haymitch handed over the list. Mouthing a word of thanks, Boggs removed his hand from the end of the microphone and quickly read the list to Coin. "That's it," he finished. "We were lucky, President Coin. The only KIA other than Everdeen was Gloss."

"Gloss," Coin repeated. "And Enobaria was wounded?"

"Affirmative."

"This may help us turn the tide in the Career Districts," Coin said, and then added, "according to Heavensbee. Their actions certainly seemed heroic enough."

"Yes, ma'am," was all Boggs said.

"And the present condition of the three injured?" Coin asked.

"Stable," Boggs replied. "Enobaria will require emergency surgery upon landing. Primrose Everdeen suffered a severe concussion, in addition to numerous lacerations and abrasions, as did Sperantia Blackstone. Madam President, perhaps this transmission could be linked directly to the hospital when we are finished. Dr. Picardo could provide them a detailed prognosis and have appropriate treatment for each standing by."

"I agree," Coin said. "Very well, Colonel. We're finished here. You may put the doctor on…but first, I wish to see you immediately upon your return to Thirteen. You can explain to me then, in detail, why it took you over an hour to report to me."

Boggs grinned sheepishly at Katniss. "Yes, ma'am." He paused as Dr. Picardo made his way to the cockpit. "Here's Picardo now. Boggs out."

Boggs pulled the headset off and handed it to Boggs. "All yours, Doc." He glanced down at Katniss, who was removing her own headphones. "Peeta still out?"

Katniss nodded. "They gave him a sedative. Once he had a chance to think about it - he…he had to deal with all that without me. Having to see Prim…" her voice trailed off as she rose to her feet and suddenly gripped Boggs tightly, choking off a strangled sob. "I should have been there. Prim is my responsibility. I let her down. I –"

"Enough," Boggs said sternly. "If you had been there, chances are that both of you would be injured – or worse. So, stop it. Right now."

Katniss said nothing. She glanced at the rear of the passenger cabin, where a hooded, shackled figure lay, hunched against the bulkhead of the hovercraft. "When I'm not thinking about Prim, all I think about is killing him," she muttered.

"I know," Boggs replied softly. "I know. We need him alive for now, though. He thinks you're dead. We're hoping that we can get him to talk once we get back to Thirteen. He considers himself a big hero, you know."

Katniss snorted and shook her head. "Hero," she said disgustingly. She glanced up at Boggs. "You're sure he can't hear me?"

"He's wearing sound-dampening ear muffs under that hood," Boggs explained. "He can't see or hear you."

Katniss stared at the immobile figure. "I'm going to sit with Prim for a while," she announced after a long moment.

"All right," Boggs said gently. "I'll let you know when we're ten minutes out from Thirteen. That should give us enough time to get you into a body bag."

Katniss said nothing, although Boggs saw her shoulders stiffen slightly and her back muscles tense. What memories does that image awaken, Katniss? A metallic claw descending from a hovercraft, perhaps? The carnage of the Reaping Day Uprising in District Twelve? Or maybe something more recent – you have all too many memories to choose from.

Boggs sighed and turned around to stare out the cockpit window, and idly wondered what life in a peaceful Panem would really be like.

PART IV

"It's confirmed?" Coriolanus Snow asked impatiently. "The Mockingjay is dead?"

Spartacus Knight nodded, once. "Yes, sir. Her body is enroute to Thirteen as we speak. Our contact in Thirteen confirmed this not five minutes ago."

"And the ministers? When will they be arriving?"

Spartacus glanced at his chronometer. "Thirty minutes, sir."

Snow grinned, his puffy lips stretching over his teeth in an almost feral sneer. "Excellent," he hissed. "We will broadcast this news to all Panem. Then, Spartacus…then we watch this pathetic Rebellion topple like a flimsy house of cards."

"Yes, sir." Inwardly, Spartacus shook his head in disbelief. Even if Everdeen is dead, the Rebellion has too much momentum. Her death will simply make her a martyr to their cause.

"You may go, Spartacus," Snow said dismissively as his eyes dropped down to the status report on his desk that he had been reading. "I wish to be informed as soon as the Information Minister arrives. I must speak to her in private before I meet with the others. She has a press release to prepare."

"Yes, President Snow."

PART V

"Evie, stop!" I heard myself cry out. I felt tears spring to my eyes as I watched, helpless to do anything, as the girl stopped, and then deliberately turned her back on the advancing mutt-snake. "Please...you don't know what you're doing!"

"Yes, I do," Evie replied softly, as her eyes closed and her head bowed towards her chest. "I'm going home."

The mutt-snake struck with surprising speed. One second it was a good ten meters from the girl, and in the next its head struck out with blinding speed, its mouth clamping down on the girl's right shoulder, picking her up bodily off the ground as it quickly coiled around her. In a second the only part of her that was still visible was her head as Husker and I watched the coils contract around the girl's small body.

"Peeta. Peeta, wake up."

My eyes snapped open. I could feel my heart thudding in my chest. I gasped once, loudly, even as a familiar pair of hands grabbed my shoulders firmly and forced me back against my seat.

"Easy," Katniss murmured. "Easy. You were having a nightmare."

I nodded as my eyes focused on Katniss's face. Usually it was me comforting her after a nightmare. "Arena," I managed to mumble as my heart slowed to normal.

"I figured," she said gently. "You're okay, Peeta. You're safe."

Her last statement caused me to laugh bitterly. "Safe," I repeated. I stared up at her face hovering over mine, and ran the backs of my fingers over her cheek. "Thank you."

She grabbed my fingers and squeezed them quickly. "How's Prim?" I asked as the fog of sleep lifted from my brain.

"She woke up ten minutes ago," Katniss replied. "She was really dopey. Picardo said that disorientation was common with her kind of…injuries."

"I'm sorry, Katniss," I whispered. "If I had been in that tent –"

"Stop," she said firmly. "You'd be like her right now. Or –"

Katniss left the last part unsaid. She didn't have to say it. I knew exactly what she meant.

Time to change the subject. "How long was I out?"

Katniss shrugged. "We're almost back to Thirteen," she said. She glanced over her shoulder at the empty stretcher laying on the floor near the aft ramp. There was a single body bag gaping open atop the stretcher. She shuddered slightly and turned back towards me. "I have to get into that thing soon."

"I don't get it," I muttered. "We got you out of Eight with everyone thinking you were dead. What's the point of keeping up the lie?"

"The point," Boggs said from behind us, "is that there's a leak."

I jumped slightly at the sound of his voice. I didn't even know he was there until he spoke. "What do you mean?" Katniss asked, seemingly unfazed by Boggs' stealthy appearance. "What kind of 'leak?'"

Boggs hunkered down in front of us. "Someone in Thirteen is feeding the Capitol information. We think that helped the Peacekeepers capture you in Ten, Peeta. We're hoping that the mole –"

"The what?" Katniss asked.

"The mole," Boggs explained impatiently. "The spy for the Capitol. Anyway, we're hoping that the report of your 'death' was passed on to Snow. He won't pass up an opportunity to gloat and we're hoping that he trumpets your 'death' to every district in Panem. If that happens, it will be a simple matter to determine exactly who had access to the information."

"What then?" I asked.

Boggs frowned. "I don't understand."

"So, you uncover this spy," I continued. "What happens then? Do you take him Topside and execute him?"

"That will be up to a military tribunal," Boggs replied. "The mole will receive a fair hearing."

"Before being shot on Coin's order," Katniss muttered. "For that matter, how will she react once she realizes that you lied to her about me?"

Boggs tensed visibly. "President Coin will understand the necessity of my deception," he replied stiffly.

Something in his tone caused me to glance at him sharply. "Coin doesn't know about this spy, does she?"

Boggs shook his head tersely. "No."

Katniss let out a low whistle. "You kept this from her? You do like to live dangerously, don't you?"

Boggs gazed at Katniss and I intently. "The fewer people in on it, the better. Until a few minutes ago, only Heavensbee and I knew about it."

Katniss glanced around the crowded hovercraft. "Looks like everyone here is in on it now, too."

Boggs exhaled slowly. "They had to, if our 'Katniss is dead' deception is to be successful." He chuckled ruefully. "Believe me, Haymitch was not happy that I kept it from him either…although he understood the necessity." He paused and glanced knowingly at the hooded and bound figure of the would-be assassin. "At least he doesn't know."

Katniss glared at the mysterious attacker. "He owes me, Boggs. He owes me for what he did to Prim."

"Your payback will have to wait," Boggs pointed out. He rose to his feet. "We're getting close. You have a date with a body bag."

"I can wait," Katniss said coldly as she stood up. "As long as I get what's owed to me."

And, as I watched Katniss being zipped into the body bag, I knew that she would soon collect. Sixteen years of living in the Seam taught her two invaluable life lessons – one, pay your debts promptly, and, two, collect on debts owed just as quickly. Katniss didn't like to owe anyone anything…and that included me.

She didn't like to be owed anything even more.

Boggs, Jackson and I stood off to one side as the stretchers bearing Prim, Andromeda (who had become hysterical on the flight back to Thirteen, forcing the medics to sedate her), Speri, and Enobaria were off-loaded. They were all under various stages of sedation, ranging from bleary-eyed incoherence to (in Enobaria's case) total unconsciousness. Also present was President Coin, her face set in a grim mask as she watched the medics wheel away the battered quartet.

"Colonel," Jackson said softly, "would it be possible for me to receive notice when Enobaria is awake and able to have visitors?"

Boggs glanced at his trusted lieutenant in surprise. "I don't see why not," he replied. "Any particular reason?"

Jackson blushed slightly. "She…she's a warrior. A soldier. And a hero to the Rebellion. Someone worthy of respect."

Boggs was about to say something else, but stopped when he saw two stretchers bearing body bags being carried down the hovercraft ramp. Coin, accompanied by Major Zander and her ever-present assistant, Henry Elliott, stepped forward to join us. No one said a word as both stretchers were carefully placed on gurneys.

"Considering the circumstances," Boggs said quietly, "I thought it appropriate that both Gloss and the Mockingjay return with us."

I watched Coin carefully, remembering my first meeting with her – and seeing her fury when she discovered that we had carried Cressida's body with us from District Twelve. On this occasion, however, she merely nodded. "Heavensbee suggested that we perform what he described as a 'state funeral' for Gloss and Katniss," she replied. "He feels that broadcasting such an event to the districts still engaging in battle would have a positive effect." She turned to me. "It's fortunate that you escaped injury, Soldier Mellark."

"Yes, ma'am," I said, hoping that I sounded grief-stricken.

Coin actually patted me on the shoulder. "Katniss Everdeen's death will mean something, I promise." She then turned to Boggs. "I'll leave it to you to safely store the…remains…until the memorial."

"Yes, ma'am," Boggs said, and then turned to Jackson. "Lieutenant?"

"On it, sir," she replied sharply and gestured for the medics attending the gurneys to follow her.

Coin watched the gurneys rolling away for a moment before turning back to me. "You will be contacted for debriefing later, Soldier Mellark. In the meantime, get cleaned up, have something to eat, and get some rest." She then beckoned to Boggs. "Colonel, please come with me. We have some…matters…to discuss."

I waited until Boggs and Coin were both out of sight, and then turned and hurried off in the same direction that the medics had carried Gloss and Katniss. I wanted to be there when she "came back to life."

PART VI

"So." Coriolanus Snow glanced around the table at his assembled ministers. "It appears that what is left of Katniss Everdeen has been returned to District Thirteen." He turned and handed the single page report to the communications runner that stood patiently to one side. "Return this to communications, and instruct the duty officer that I wish to open a channel to District Thirteen immediately."

The runner inclined his head slightly. "At once, President Snow."

As the runner hurried from the room, the Information Minister leaned forward. "President Snow," she said, choosing her words carefully, "perhaps it would be prudent to wait, before speaking with the Rebel leadership, so that we may acquire more information."

Snow glanced at the minister, one eyebrow raised inquiringly. "The Mockingjay is dead, Egeria," he replied. "Exactly how much more information is required?"

"I'm simply concerned that the Rebels will attempt to use her as a martyr to their cause, sir," she explained. "We should be able to counter their preposterous claims with facts."

Snow smiled indulgently at his Information Minister, but there was steel in his gaze. "Egeria, the only facts that matter are the facts that Katniss Everdeen was blown to bits in an area that she considered secure. Our operative witnessed her shrouded corpse off-loaded from a hovercraft personally. No…no, we strike now, while Mayor Coin and her staff are still coming to grips with the loss of their beloved symbol."

With that, Snow turned to face the assembled ministry. "Now then," he said, "I shall first speak to Mayor Coin and offer her my 'condolences,' and then we will broadcast the confirmation of the death of the Mockingjay to the entire nation, courtesy of Egeria's masterfully written press release."

The images on the view screen were compelling – shots of the relief team in District Eight, treating the sick and wounded, with special emphasis on the efforts of Primrose Everdeen, Andromeda Snow, and Sperantia Blackstone. I had to admit, Messalla and Plutarch put together probably the most powerful propo yet, especially the finale, where Speri was interacting with the girl named Calico in one sequence – and sobbing over her broken, lifeless body in the next.

Finally, the last image faded away as Plutarch's voice-over concluded. "Lights," Coin called out. When the lights came up, Coin glanced at the others seated around the conference table. "Excellent job, you two," she said, nodding towards Plutarch and Messalla. She turned to Beetee Latier. "When is our next window to break into the Capitol communications bands?"

Beetee glanced at the PADD sitting on the table to his front. "A little more than an hour," he replied.

Coin nodded. "I'll want to broadcast a statement following the airing of the video," she said. "The districts need to hear of the Mockingjay's death from the Rebel leadership."

"Of course," Beetee agreed. "I can hold a channel open long enough for –"

Coin's communications terminal buzzed insistently, and she raised one finger to indicate silence, an annoyed expression on her face. "What is it?" she snapped.

"Comm duty officer, ma'am," a nervous voice replied. "We have incoming traffic, both audio and video, on the red channel."

Coin's eyes narrowed. "From the Capitol?"

"Not just the Capitol, President Coin," the voice continued. "From President Snow, himself."

"Patch it to the conference room," she ordered. Glancing at Boggs, she asked, "How the hell did he find out, Boggs?"

"I'm not sure, ma'am," Boggs replied.

"Her death was classified," Coin continued. "And, as far as I know, broadcast only over secure channels."

Before Boggs could answer, the video screen flickered to life, and the grinning face of Coriolanus Snow appeared. "Mayor Coin!" he said jovially, "what a pleasure to see you once again."

Alma Coin, to her credit, managed to keep her face impassive. "I assume that you are calling about your granddaughter's welfare? Rest assured, President Snow, that Andromeda, as well as Sperantia Blackstone, have not suffered serious injury and both are expected to make a complete recovery."

Snow's eyes narrowed and he stiffened almost imperceptibly when Coin mentioned Andromeda. "Of course," he continued smoothly, "I already possessed that information. But that is not the reason for my call."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Boggs beckon to Jackson and quickly whisper something to her. She nodded and slipped out of the room, even as Coin said, "President Snow, are you calling to discuss terms of the surrender of the Capitol, perhaps?"

Snow didn't miss a beat. "My dear Mayor Coin," he replied with a laugh, "I was not aware that you possessed such a delightful sense of humor! Perhaps, when I have crushed your little Rebellion once and for all, I may decide to imprison you, rather than have you executed…if you continue to amuse me. Alas, no, my call is of a much more personal nature."

"Please continue," Coin said, somehow managing to keep her face impassive.

"I am calling today to offer my sincere condolences upon the untimely demise of Katniss Everdeen." Snow even managed to sound sincere – if it weren't for the glint in his eye.

"I'm not sure where you obtained your information," Coin said slowly, "But rest assured that Katniss Everdeen is –"

"You are trying my patience, Mayor Coin!" Snow snapped impatiently. "I possess irrefutable proof that your beloved Mockingjay is, at this very moment, in cold storage, zipped into a body bag, awaiting her final resting place."

"And what is the source of your information?" Coin asked tightly.

Snow laughed again. "My dear lady! Suffice it to say that I have been 'reading your mail,' as it were, from the very start of your little Rebellion. My source is quite valuable to me – just as your source…or sources…here in the Capitol are to you."

I glanced around the table as Snow spoke. Only three people here in Thirteen had been privy to Katniss's faked death, prior to our return to District Thirteen. All three were present in this conference room. And none of them had previously suspected that Katniss was still very much alive.

Snow began to speak again at the same time as I heard the door to the conference room slide open. "Let's dispense with your little charade, Mayor Coin. It's painfully obvious to everyone that your 'Mockingjay' is –"

" - Alive and well in District Thirteen," Katniss finished in a strong, clear voice.

For one of the few times in his life, Coriolanus Snow was at a loss for words.

"President Snow, are you still there?" Katniss Everdeen's voice rang out clearly through the ornately furnished conference room. "This is Katniss Everdeen, broadcasting from District Thirteen."

Snow stared at the flickering image of Katniss Everdeen, resplendent in full Mockingjay armor. With effort, he managed to keep his astonishment off his face, and calmly leaned forward, his hands clasped together and resting on the table as he struggled to find just the right words.

"President Snow," Katniss said again, "I can see you. You don't look well. Is there a doctor –"

"It seems, Miss Everdeen," Snow said slowly, "that the reports of your demise are – somewhat exaggerated. And your concern for my health is quite touching, albeit insincere."

"You did manage to injure my sister," Katniss replied coldly. "As well as your own granddaughter, and Sperantia Blackstone."

"That was…unintentional," Snow said. "Perhaps it will assuage you somewhat to know that you were the actual target?"

"And you missed," Katniss said simply.

"This time." Snow's voice turned cold. "Goodbye, Miss Everdeen." Snow gestured sharply to a technician at the back of the room. "End it!"

The image disappeared. Snow turned to the Information Minister. "Egeria, I needn't say that your press release regarding the Mockingjay's death is no longer required, do I?"

"No, sir," she replied softly.

"I thought not." Snow glanced around at the other ministers. "This meeting is concluded. Return to your duties. Blackstone, you and Antonius remain behind."

The room cleared quickly. Soon, only Snow, Blackstone, and Antonius remained. With a nod from Snow, Spartacus Knight carefully shut the doors before posting himself just outside the conference room, should he be needed by President Snow.

Once the doors were closed, Snow wasted no time. "I was informed that the handler of your exploding mutt was competent," he snarled. "I was also assured that this plan was fool-proof. It appears that neither was the case. I want the handler arrested. Such gross incompetence –"

"The handler," Blackstone said evenly, "is in Rebel custody, sir. By all accounts he surrendered peacefully immediately following the explosion."

Snow clenched his fists tightly. "Very well," he finally said. "Then bring me whoever was responsible for the development of that mutt."

"We worked with Seneca Crane and his Gamemaker staff on the mutt," Blackstone replied. "Shall I order Crane's arrest?"

Snow's hands unclenched slowly. "No," he finally said. "No." He looked over at Blackstone. "You mentioned something about a report of an offensive by District Ten against my Peacekeepers in Two?"

"Yes, President Snow. The Nut has been besieged by both Rebels from Ten as well as Lyme's forces from inside Two itself. Casualties have been heavy on both sides, sir." Blackstone paused before adding, "Sir, you had assured me that Sperantia would not be placed in harm's way during the attack on Katniss Everdeen."

Snow glanced at Blackstone in surprise. His tone is dangerously close to insubordinate, Snow said to himself. "I gave you no such assurance, Blackstone," Snow replied, his tone quiet and deadly at the same time. "I authorized you to instruct the handler, through channels, to not attack unless your daughter – and my granddaughter – were clear of the target area. Obviously, he chose to ignore that order." Snow gazed at Blackstone calmly. "Did you issue such an order?"

"I did, sir."

"Well, then," Snow continued, "his life is forfeit, then, isn't it?"

"The handler was exposed to a potentially lethal dose of radiation on your orders, sir," Blackstone pointed out. "Such exposure could cause headaches, dizziness, and disorientation. It may have affected his thinking. And it certainly will kill him if left untreated."

"Are you suggesting, Blackstone," Snow asked, in the same deadly tone as before, "that I am responsible for the handler's erratic behavior?"

"My daughter could have been killed," Blackstone said, his voice thick with emotion.

"As well as Andromeda," Snow replied coldly. "And that is the only reason why I am even allowing this conversation to take place. Do you understand?"

Blackstone nodded slowly. "Yes, sir."

"We will get our girls back, Blackstone," Snow said reassuringly. "But before we do, we must defeat the Rebels." He turned to Antonius. "Antonius, you will present to me a list of targets inside District Ten that, when destroyed, will disrupt the Rebel offensive in District Two. I also want a list of Rebel targets inside District Two. I want this target list in two hours."

"Sir." Antonius chose his words carefully. "We may not have sufficient hovercraft bombers to achieve any sort of effective strike."

Snow glanced at Antonius sharply. "A missile strike, Antonius," Snow explained patiently. "Not a bomber strike."

"President Snow," Antonius explained, "we have no missiles equipped with conventional warheads."

"I am aware of this fact, Antonius," Snow replied impatiently. "I am not speaking of a conventional strike. You have two hours. I suggest that you not waste any more time."

Antonius glanced at Blackstone, who carefully kept his face impassive. "Yes, sir," is all he said.

"That's all," Snow said, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. "I will see you both back here in two hours."

The doors to the conference room swung open, and Spartacus appeared to escort the two ministers from the Presidential Palace. Neither Blackstone nor Antonius spoke until they had both been deposited at the South Portal, where they waited for their cars to be brought around to return them to the Ministry of Security. Finally, after Spartacus left them, and they had a moment of privacy, Blackstone finally turned to Antonius.

"He wants to nuke Ten," Blackstone said softly.

Antonius nodded. "I know."

"And Ten is a major supplier of food for the entire country," Blackstone added.

Another nod. "I know."

"Targets in Two also," Blackstone muttered. "We're already on short rations, and we've lost more Peacekeepers than we have been able to replace. What do you intend to do, Antonius?"

"I intend," Antonius replied slowly, "to give the President his target list in two hours."

As the two cars pulled up, Blackstone leaned forward. "We can't keep dropping nukes," he whispered. "There won't be a Panem left if we do."

"As the Deputy Minister of Security, and Praetor of the Corps of Peacekeepers, I am well aware of the consequences," Antonius said dryly. "For now, we buy time."

Blackstone looked at his fellow minister sharply. "And then what?"

Antonius shrugged. "That, I don't know. I do know one thing," he added, as a guard exited his car to open his door for him.

"What's that?"

Antonius paused at the car door. "No matter what we do, we'll be lucky to be alive this time next week."

PART VII

When the view screen went dark, there was a moment of silence so intense that I could actually hear others breathing.

It didn't last.

Coin spun around in her seat, her eyes blazing. "Colonel Boggs," she said icily, "you will now explain why you chose to keep from me the fact that Katniss Everdeen was still alive."

"There's a leak, Madam President," Boggs replied. "A mole. A spy, feeding information to the Capitol."

"That is absurd," Coin sputtered. "A spy? Here?"

"Yes, ma'am," Boggs continued smoothly. "I ensured a complete communications blackout in Eight before we left. I fed you the report of Katniss's death. There's no way the Capitol received such a report unless it came from here."

"The leak must have come from one of the refugees," Coin offered. Her voice sounded desperate. For a moment, I almost felt sorry for her – the discipline and loyalty of the soldiers of District Thirteen had been a source of justifiable pride among Coin and her staff. It must have really hurt her to have her own Chief of Security tell her that a trusted subordinate was a spy.

Boggs shook his head. "Only three people were privy to my false report of Katniss's death," he pointed out. "You, your assistant, Henry Elliott, and Major Zander."

Coin stared at Boggs in astonishment. "You suspect me?"

"No, ma'am," he replied. "I don't. It's either Henry or Zander." Both were seated near Coin. Boggs turned to face them.

"Does anyone want to confess?" he asked.

The denials were loud and continuous until Boggs held up one hand. "We can settle this in short order. Lieutenant Potter!"

Darius Potter had been sitting in the back of the room. When his name was called, he snapped to his feet. "Sir!" he barked.

"Is Miss Matthews ready?" Boggs asked.

"Yes, Colonel," Darius replied sharply. "Shall I bring her in?"

Boggs nodded. "Please do." When Darius left, Boggs turned and faced Coin once again.

"Miss Matthews is one of the District Twelve refugees," he explained. "She is – was – a Capitol citizen who worked for the Head Peacekeeper in District Twelve. She administered polygraph examinations for the Peacekeepers."

My mind flashed back to one of my first arrests by the Peacekeepers, and to a kind, sympathetic woman that treated me with fairness and compassion when she hooked me up to her machine to prove that I was telling the truth. Did she manage to bring all that equipment along with her when we fled Twelve?

"What is a polygraph?" Coin asked impatiently.

"A lie detector," Boggs explained. "Miss Matthews will conduct an examination of both Major Zander and Henry Elliott to determine which one is lying." He glanced once more at both Zander and Henry. "Unless, of course, you want to save us the trouble."

"Colonel," Zander said quickly. "I've served under you for a long time. You know –"

"Do I?" Boggs asked coldly.

Darius chose that moment to return. "Miss Matthews is outside, sir."

"Excellent," Boggs said. Turning to Coin, he added, "President Coin. With your permission?"

Coin rubbed one hand over her face. "Proceed, Colonel," she said tiredly.

"Don't bother." Henry Elliott slowly rose to his feet.

Coin stared at Henry in mingled astonishment and rage. "You?"

"My whole life," Henry said slowly, "you've been ordering me around, Aunt Alma. Ever since my parents died. I was too young to understand then, but it became all too clear to me as I got older. My father had a good shot at becoming President of Thirteen. What a shame that he and my mother both happened to be in Silo Number Nine, servicing a surface-to-air missile, when there was a fuel leak and explosion."

Boggs stepped forward, one hand outstretched. "Just relax, Henry," he said soothingly.

Henry's hand moved with surprising speed. Before anyone could react, he had a pistol clenched firmly in his fist. "One more step, Colonel," Henry barked, "and you're a dead man."

Boggs froze. "Henry," Coin said, "what happened to Eugene and Naomi was an accident. You know that I would never – he was my brother, Henry!"

"And his death meant that you got the sympathy vote," Henry spat. "You've never even had any opposition since you've been President! How convenient." He glanced around the room, his eyes increasingly wild. "She killed them both! And I had to take her shit for the last twenty years. 'Henry, I need the power usage report for last month.' 'Henry, make sure that the weapons inventory is done on time this month.' 'Henry, I need – I need – I need…"

"So, you turn traitor," Katniss said contemptuously. She hadn't said a word since the transmission with Snow ended. "You piece of mutt-shit. You whored yourself out…to Snow!"

I could see Henry's gun hand waver. "What did he promise you, Henry?" I asked. "How much did he promise you?"

Tears sprung up in Henry's eyes. "Only one thing," he sobbed. I could see the gun tremble in his hand.

"What could he promise you?" Boggs asked, even as he shuffled a step closer to the sobbing man.

"Revenge!" Henry shouted as he spun around and pointed the pistol point-blank at President Alma Coin.

And pulled the trigger.