Disclaimer: The Hunger Games is not mine.

Note: Now that we've made it through the train rides, just a friendly reminder to vote in the "favorite tribute" poll on my profile if you haven't already. A new poll will be up with the next chapter.

Also, I'm starting to finalize my alliance plans, so if you have some input you haven't given me yet, PM me soon. Not a lot is set in stone yet, but it's getting there.

Train Rides
Two Choices

Jarlan DuMorne, 18
District Four

"Looks like we have a choice."

Jarlan nodded as the tape of the reapings finished. Mags was right – they had a choice. Several choices, in fact. The ten of them – six tributes and four mentors – sat in a rough semicircle around the screen, waiting for someone to start the discussion they all knew was coming.

"Ten Careers," Kendall observed.

"Nine," Auster corrected. "Boy from Two's not a Career."

"Might be," Imalia shrugged. "Just because he wasn't the volunteer who was picked—"

"The mentors didn't know who he was," Auster shrugged. "Not a Career."

Jarlan shook his head. "We shouldn't discount him. Or the tributes from Five. Camden's been training them."

"Alone, with a little help from Harakuise," Naomi pointed out. "They're not ready. District Five will get there, I'm sure, but they're not a Career district yet."

Mavina shrugged. "Maybe not, but—"

"But nothing!" Kendall snapped. "There are enough Careers this year without including them, too. They'd slow us down."

Jarlan shook his head. "There aren't 'enough' Careers this year. There are too many. Too many for one pack." It had been obvious from the start – from the reaping, even – that this was no normal year. He'd known it the moment he'd volunteered. But seeing the other tributes had finally made it real. "There are six of us. Maybe that's all we need. We could form our own pack – just as strong as any pack the others could put together."

Auster shook his head. "We could. But I don't think we should. If we form our own pack, set ourselves up against One and Two, we're as good as telling them that we see them as the enemy. After what happened last year, the Capitol will already be suspicious – think that maybe we mean to rebel. We should stick with One and Two; it'll prove our loyalty."

"Playing the Games should be enough to prove our loyalty," Imalia pointed out. "The tributes last year didn't want to fight. As soon as we prove we're willing to fight, to kill, then the Capitol will know we're not rebels. That should be enough."

"Should be," Kendall repeated. "That doesn't mean it will be. We can't take that chance. Auster is right; we should stick with One and Two."

"You really think they'll take all of us?" Brevin asked.

"No," Auster admitted. "They'll take the best. For example, the ones who were chosen to volunteer in the first place."

"Or the ones who should have been chosen," Kendall added with a pointed look at Mavina.

"They'll probably watch us during training, choose which of us to ask into their pack based on our skills," Auster reasoned.

Brevin shrugged. "Sounds fair. I'll take my chances with that."

"I won't," Jarlan said firmly. "We don't have to prove anything to them. We all volunteered, fair and square. We have as much right to form a pack as they do."

"Sure, you have the right to form your own pack," Kendall scoffed. "It just won't be as good."

"We'll see." Jarlan turned to Imalia. "What do you say?"

Imalia blinked, perhaps a little surprised he would ask her first. But she'd been silently nodding along, backing up everything he'd said. Given the chance to voice her opinion, he had a pretty good inkling of how she'd vote.

"I'm with Jarlan," she said at last. "If we let One and Two decide who to take and who to leave, they'll split us apart – set us against each other. We should stick together – as many of us as possible."

Kendall shook her head. "Count me out."

"Me, too," Auster agreed.

Imalia turned to Mavina. "What about you?"

"I…" She glanced at Kendall, then at Jarlan, who smiled a little. That was enough. "I think we should stick together. I'm with you and Jarlan."

Jarlan nodded. That was three. Four would be better. "Brevin?"

Brevin hesitated. Thought it over. "Kendall and Auster are right," he decided at last. "Our best chance is with the other Careers."

Three and three, then. Not bad. Brevin turned to Mags. "Should we…?"

Mags nodded. "Yes. Kendall, Auster, Brevin, come with Naomi and me. Jarlan, Imalia, Mavina, stay here with Bierce and Kalypso; I'll join you in a little while."

Jarlan turned to Bierce as the other group left. "You four didn't seem to have much to say about how we split up."

Bierce nodded. "Mags thought it would be best to let you figure it out on your own, rather than having us push you into groups you wouldn't have chosen for yourselves. Not quite how I expected things to work out, but I think this is a good group." He glanced at Kalypso, who seemed less than pleased with the way things had proceeded. "You've mentored before. Any input?"

Kalypso shook her head. "This is probably the way things would have worked out, anyway. The tributes from One and Two would never have taken all six of you. Maybe it's better that you beat them to it and split off, anyway, but … The three of you just painted a target on your backs. You're well-trained, all of you; the other Careers will target you first. You're going to need a few more people if you mean to take them on."

Jarlan nodded. "I have a few thoughts about that."

Bierce nodded. "You sounded like you might. Who did you have in mind?"

"District Five. Maybe the boy from Two."

"Reasonable options."

"And a few of the outer-district tributes."

Bierce raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"

"There were two volunteers."

"Eight and Eleven," Imalia nodded. "They're not Careers."

"I didn't say they were. But District Eleven has a history of volunteers. And two of them have won. We shouldn't ignore him – or the other boy."

Kalypso shook her head. "The other boy is fifteen."

Bierce shrugged. "You were sixteen."

"You're taking his side?"

"I'm saying it's an option, if District Five and the boy from Two aren't interested."

"Options are good," Imalia agreed. "We shouldn't discount anyone."

We. That felt good. Like they were already a team. Jarlan nodded at Imalia and Mavina. "All right. We keep our options open. Wait to see what the others do. And then adjust." The other two nodded, and Jarlan leaned back a little, smiling.

They would make a good team.

Ivira Spielreyn, 16
District Eight

"Must've been nice to have a choice."

Ivira watched Jediah's reaction carefully. "I mean it," she continued. "You could be at home right now, with your little brother and sister, hoping for your older brother to come home, instead. But you chose to be here. That must make it a little easier, right?"

Jediah picked at his food. "I … I guess. There wasn't really much of a choice, though. Bryson is—"

"A coward for letting his little brother take his place in the Games," Ivira shrugged. Jediah's face reddened. "Well? Would you let your little brother take your place?"

"He couldn't. He's only eleven."

Ivira shrugged. "Okay, but say he wasn't. Say he was twelve, and he wanted to volunteer for you the way you volunteered for your brother. Would you let him?"

"No, but—"

"But nothing. Your brother let you volunteer for your death in his place. What sort of person does that?"

Lander glared. "I couldn't help but notice that no one volunteered for you."

"And I wouldn't expect anyone to. Probably wouldn't let them if they tried." A lie, of course. If anyone else had offered to take her place, she certainly wouldn't have said no. But no one had. And she hadn't expected them to.

"That's very brave of you," Gadget butted in. "Accepting your fate as your own."

Lander cocked an eyebrow. "Fate, huh? You think it's fate that you got picked for a death match?"

"Yes."

"And it's fate that the others are here, too? Fate that the Capitol decided to punish us by requiring extra tributes? Fate that the rebels—"

"Yes."

Lander rolled his eyes. "I hope that makes it easier for you."

Ivira shrugged. "Would your rather she blamed the people who were truly responsible?" she asked with a pointed glance at Kit.

Not that it was his fault. Not really, and certainly not completely. But he'd had a hand in it, and if he wanted to blame himself, she certainly wasn't going to stop him. Sure enough, he ran off to the next car, leaving his dinner half-finished. Baylor took off after him.

Ivira nodded. One down. But she wouldn't have wanted Baylor as an ally, anyway. That left four of them…

Carolina turned to Gadget, probably hoping to change the subject. Smooth things over a bit. "Blaming fate – chance, luck, whatever – might help for a while. But, once you're in the Games … I don't think it'll be as much help."

Gadget crossed her arms, confused. "Why?"

Lander stepped in. "Because if it's just fate that you got reaped, then once you're in the Games, maybe it's just fate if you get stabbed, or shot, or sliced into a million pieces. Don't you want to have a say in—"

"None of us have a say," Gadget blurted out. "Neither of you won your Games because you chose to. You won because winning's in your nature."

Lander shook his head. "Of all the incoherent—"

"Gadget's right," Ivira interrupted. She was nothing of the sort, of course, but it got everyone's attention. "Some people are simply more likely to win the Games – and that's not a choice; it's your nature. There are predators and prey, and the predators always win."

"Well, not always," Gadget started. "There have been a few times—"

"Almost always, then," Ivira corrected herself. "But it's rare. But you don't strike me as prey, Gadget. You're a predator." Actually, she didn't strike Ivira as either – predator or prey. She was more of a wild card, but a useful wild card. And one Ivira wanted on her side.

"I … thank you. You … I think you're a predator, too."

Obviously. "Then maybe it's fate that a few of us … predators … band together."

There was an odd silence. Then Gadget nodded. "Allies?"

"Allies," Ivira confirmed. The looks on the others' faces told her she'd made the right choice. They were still thinking. Still deciding. Still wondering who they were. Gadget thought she already knew. Mentally, she wasn't a threat. Physically, she would be useful.

The perfect combination.

Adelia shifted uncomfortably in her chair. "Are you sure that's a good idea? Deciding on allies so soon? Shouldn't we wait and see what other options might—"

"Lander allied with his district partner during his Games," Gadget pointed out. "Did you decide that beforehand, or after considering every other option?"

"Before," Lander admitted. "The two of us hit it off during the train rides. We never really thought about allying with—"

"See?" Gadget nodded. "It works."

"It worked once," Adelia pointed out. "Doesn't mean it'll work every time."

Ivira shrugged. "It's not your alliance, so why do you care?"

"I was just trying to—"

"Just trying to discourage us from allying, because you know we're stronger together?" Ivira offered. Adelia had meant well, of course. Meant to help Gadget think things through. Offer her other options. But Gadget didn't want options. She wanted fate.

And Ivira could give her that.

The other two were still watching. Jediah and Louis. Not wanting to step in. Not wanting to take a side. And Lander seemed quite relieved by that. The three of them went back to eating, trying to ignore Ivira and Gadget.

Carolina, on the other hand, didn't seem particularly happy with how things were proceeding. Not that Ivira was surprised by that. Both Lander and Carolina were quite protective of Kit. She had probably set herself back a little by going after him, but it was worth it. The two of them would come around once they realized how similar they were. Carolina and Lander understood how the Game was played. They didn't have to like it, but, sooner or later, they would realize Ivira was their best option.

But not yet. "I'm going to check on Kit," Carolina sighed, retreating.

And Adelia followed her.

Ivira cocked an eyebrow. Was Adelia worried about Kit? Trying to suck up to Carolina? Hoping to form an alliance with Baylor?

Not that it mattered right now. She had an ally. Once they got to the Capitol, she would find more. People who could help her. People she could use. Gadget was a start, but there would be more.

Soon, she would have the perfect team.

Pan Soya, 12
District Eleven

"I think this is a good choice."

Pan nodded his agreement. He wasn't as sure about the alliance as Tamsin seemed to be, but he wasn't exactly in a position to argue. "I think so, too," he agreed, making sure he was facing Philus as he spoke. That was the first thing they had worked out; it was easier for Philus to read their lips if they were facing him. Which was a bit of an annoyance, but Elani had been firm: She wanted both of them as allies.

And Pan was about to refuse the only alliance offer he was likely to get.

"Everyone will be underestimating you," Tamsin said slowly, carefully. "That can be a good thing. Keep your heads down during training. You don't want to attract too much attention – not right away."

"But attention means sponsors, right?" Elani asked.

Tamsin shook her head. "No one's going to sponsor you."

Pan let that sink in. It was true; he had known it all along. But he hadn't expected Tamsin to say it. Not so soon. Not so bluntly. He could feel tears welling in his eyes. Quietly, he brushed them away. He didn't want to look weak. He didn't want to look pitiful. But if what Tamsin said was true, it didn't matter what he did, how he looked. No one was going to sponsor them, anyway…

Tamsin leaned forward a little. "No one is going to sponsor you yet. Think it through. Forty-six tributes, and you're three of the youngest in the bunch. Three of the smallest. Three of the most inexperienced. There will be twelve Careers fighting for the Capitol's attention. And even for those who prefer to sponsor the outer districts, there are plenty of other choices. Be honest – who would you pick?"

"Then shouldn't we look for allies?" Elani asked. "Allies who the sponsors might notice? Maybe Shale—" she started, glancing over at the other end of the car, where Shale and Elijah sat at the table, talking.

Tamsin cut her off. "Shale doesn't want to work with you. He has more sense."

Pan bit his tongue. Was she trying to make them feel bad?

Elani wasn't as reserved. "If you think we're so hopeless, why don't you just go work with him?"

Tamsin finally smiled a little. "There we go. That's what I wanted to see." She shook her head. "You're not hopeless. None of you. In fact, if you want to know, I chose to work with you. I think I can help you. But, in order for that to work, you have to understand that you're starting at a disadvantage. And you can either fight that tooth and nail – or you can use it."

Philus scribbled a little on the pad of paper Tamsin had given him, then turned it towards the other three. Use it how?

Tamsin nodded. "The sponsors will ignore you – at least at first – but so will the other tributes. Let them. You already have each other as allies; any more would draw attention. And you don't want attention."

You don't want attention. It sounded strange, but it made some sense. They certainly didn't want attention from the Career pack. Or packs. Whatever it ended up being, with twelve of them.

"Keep to yourselves during training," Tamsin continued. "Stick together. Don't stand out. Stick with the survival stations; you'll just end up making fools of yourselves if you pick up a sword or a spear. Learn how to light a fire, tie a knot, make a trap. When the time comes, show the Gamemakers what you've learned. You won't get a ten, but you don't want a high score, anyway. Outer-district tributes with high scores get targeted."

"What about the bloodbath?" Pan asked. "If we're fast enough—"

Tamsin shook her head. "Don't. Even. Think about it. You find each other, and you get out of there as fast as you can. You can always find supplies later. 'Later' is your friend in the Games. Be patient. You last long enough – all of you – and the sponsors will start to notice you, even if the other tributes don't. Keep moving. Stay away from the Careers. Make whatever weapons you can. Tree branches can be sharpened with rocks. Bigger ones can be used as clubs. You can hit someone with a stone as easily as you could stab them with a knife."

"I thought you wanted us to avoid other tributes," Pan pointed out.

"I want you to avoid the Careers," Tamsin pointed out. "I'm not suggesting that you take on the Careers with a bunch of sticks and rocks. But if you find another tribute – someone you think you can handle – then you need to be ready to fight. You need to be ready to kill. If you can corner a tribute alone, you have the advantage in numbers – even if you're younger. You need to be prepared to use it."

Pan swallowed hard, glancing at the other two. Elani was nodding obediently, but Philus looked as uncomfortable as Pan felt. "You want us to start hunting other tributes."

Tamsin shook her head. "I don't want you to do anything of the sort. But you need to, if you want to survive. Because sooner or later, hiding won't be enough. Only one person ever won the Games by just hiding, and that was almost forty years ago. That won't work this year – especially after what happened last year."

After what happened last year. The Games. The executions. His father. His sister. Pan clenched his fists. She was right. He couldn't let the same thing happen to his mother, to his younger siblings. He wouldn't let the Capitol kill them because of him.

So he would have to kill, instead.

Pan took a deep breath. "So we should look for tributes we think we can…" He swallowed hard, then finished the sentence. "Tributes we think we can kill."

Tamsin nodded, her face grave. "Yes. Which is the other reason I want you to keep to yourselves. The more you get to know the other tributes, the harder it will be for you to think about killing them. So during training, watch them. Keep an eye out for anyone who seems to be thinking about going it alone. You don't want to end up taking on a large group, but one tribute alone … You have a chance. Same thing during the Games. Be smart about who you decide to attack. But if you think you've found someone you can handle … Then you need to take advantage of that."

Pan nodded. So did Elani and Philus. From their expressions, they were as reluctant as he was. But, once the Games began, they would have what it took. They would have to. They needed each other.

They needed to be a team.

"The way I see it, there's only two choices: You're either a hero, or you want to die."