Chapter Ten: Captain's Orders
Author's Note: I want to thank everyone who has stuck by waiting for me to continue this story and to the new followers. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to write another chapter. I guess I just needed Catching Fire to inspire me again.
I hold Miranda close to me. I still can't believe I have her back in my arms. Everything is still a blur, but I know if Peeta hadn't thrown that knife our daughter or Haymitch would be dead. The frightening part is it most likely would have been both of them with them having been so close to her. I don't want to let her go, but Peeta is right. We can't take her to the Capitol.
She would be safe with her Godfather. And we needed to leave before Thatcher had a chance to retaliate. By killing Thatcher's sister and getting Miranda back, we changed the future. I knew it wouldn't be enough until we were free of Thatcher.
I rise to my feet hearing Thatcher's voice on the viewing screen. "What's he up to?" I ask Peeta and Haymitch.
"He's trying to turn the people against Paylor," Haymitch said shaking his head.
"He's up to something," Peeta said frowning. "There's more to it than just turning people against Paylor," he continued.
"He's trying to trap us here in District One," I say taking in his words. "He's trying to slow us down."
"How?" Haymitch asked.
"The trains," Peeta said shaking his head. "It was a train accident that supposedly killed Miranda and Josh. He's trying to keep the trains from running."
"By saying Paylor doesn't care about the kids supposed death?" Haymitch asked.
"Anger is a powerful weapon," I say. "If enough people in the districts believe Paylor and the Capitol don't care about Josh and Miranda, then they don't care about their kids either."
"The supply trains," Haymitch said nodding his head.
"Yes," Peeta said. "It'll start with the supply trains then no trains will go to the Capitol."
"We have to get on the next train for the Capitol before we get stuck here," I say.
"I agree. Haymitch, I don't want you risking a train ride back to twelve," Peeta said.
"I know it'll be too dangerous with Miranda. I've got a few contacts at my disposal. I'll get us back to twelve in one piece. You two focus on staying alive."
Peeta and I exchange knowing glances before I nod my head. "We will, Haymitch."
"We're Victors after all," Peeta added stepping up beside me. "You be good, my little princess. Mommy and Daddy love you very much," he said lifting our little girl from my arms. "Don't cry, Miranda," he said kissing Miranda's trembling lips. "We're going to bring your brother home.
"We won't be gone long," I say taking Miranda back and kissing her.
"Time to let Mommy and Daddy go," Haymitch said taking my daughter from me.
Peeta and I quickly boarded the next train for the Capitol. It would take a few hours to reach the Capitol. Even though District One bordered the Capitol, the train tracks did not. We would have to travel through District One and Two in order to reach the Capitol. The moment we passed through the first set of passenger cars I knew people were scared. I didn't believe they were scared of me or Peeta, but seeing us could only mean trouble.
"They're scared," Peeta said clearly noticing the growing tension.
"They must think we're going after Paylor," I say once we find a car to ourselves.
"It makes sense after the speech Thatcher gave," Peeta said.
I nod my head in agreement. It's not long before we leave District One behind. We pass into District Two and my mind drifts in Gale's direction. I hadn't spoken to him since the wedding. Peeta said he looked good, but I knew he was still hurting. He still didn't understand how I could choose Peeta over him.
War changes people, and Gale changed. I changed as well, but it was a combination of the Hunger Games and the war. Snow watched my feelings toward Peeta change, and for that reason alone he tried to take him from me. Then Coin came along and decided to play the same game. But it was a game I wanted no part playing. Now Thatcher was playing a game I don't want to play.
"Katniss, the train is slowing down," Peeta said pulling me out of my thoughts.
"What? We aren't anywhere near the town," I say rising to my feet.
"I know," he said as we walked out of our compartment and head for the front of the train.
"But we had nothing to do with those babies deaths."
"This train isn't moving until Paylor does something," a man clothed in a long coat growled.
"What's going on?" I ask stepping up beside Peeta.
The man turned around, and his brown eyes went wide. "Mockingjay...I'm sorry. We had no idea you would be on this train.
"Who is we?" I ask.
"The Rebels of District Two, Ma'am," the masked man said.
"I see," I say stepping forward. "I understand your concern, but hasn't enough innocent blood been spilled?"
"I guess that's a question for President Paylor to answer. We didn't just win our freedom from the Hunger Games only to have them start up again."
"Hunger Games... What are you talking about?" Peeta asked from beside me.
"Our intelligence has reported an arena is being constructed as we speak. The fact that our president isn't doing anything about your children's death and the arena is all the evidence we need."
"I can assure you President Paylor has no knowledge of this new arena. As to the report of our children's death, I'm happy to say that was false report," I say sliding my hand into Peeta's warm one.
"What?"
"Miranda and Josh are very much alive," Peeta replied. "We just rescued Miranda from District One. Josh is in the Capitol."
"They are alive?"
"Yes," I reply.
"My Captain will be very happy to hear that news. I'm sorry, but I still can't allow this train to pass."
"At least allow us to reach town, so the passengers can get off," I say.
"I'm sorry Mockingjay, but I can't do that. My orders are clear. No train carrying supplies will be allowed to enter the Capitol. You and the passengers are allowed to leave the train. Town is a five mile hike though," the man said shrugging his shoulders.
"No, the passengers would be safer here on the train," Peeta said.
"Very good choice, Mr. Mellark," the man said nodding his head.
"I said the passengers. Katniss and I are going to the Capitol," Peeta said.
"It's too dangerous of a journey, Mr. Mellark," the man protested.
"We've got friends here who can get us to the Capitol," I say.
"It won't be by train or hovercraft, Mockingjay. Not without consent from our Captain," the man replied.
"Then I strongly suggest either you or one of your men escort us to your Captain. We are going to get our son back," I state firmly.
"I will take you myself," the man said leading us off the train.
Once we are outside, I see a larger squadron of masked men and some women. "What's your name, Soldier?"
"Garrick, ma'am," Garrick answered.
"It's nice to meet you, Garrick," I say as we approach the Nut. It appeared the people of District Two repaired the damage to the mountain after the war ended. We enter the mountain fortress and I see why it was called the Nut. This facility was much like Thirteen. The facility was reinforced with both solid rock and steel. "A touch Nut to crack indeed," I say shaking my head as Garrick removed his mask.
"If you two will wait here while I go get the Captain," Garrick said.
"No need Garrick," a familiar voice said from behind us. "Catnip, Peeta, what are you two doing here?"
"We're trying to get to the Capitol to rescue our son," I say turning around to face Gale.
"The kids are alive?"
"Yes, they are. Miranda is with Haymitch right now heading back to District Twelve," I say smiling proudly.
"Time is of the essence. That's why we need to get to the Capitol before Thatcher moves Josh," Peeta said.
"I understand, but I have no way to get you there. The Capitol has shut down all modes of transportation. The train hijackings are our only way to keep people alive."
"What do you mean?" I ask frowning slightly.
"Your friend Thatcher has been busy since he got to the Capitol. He has had a network of towers constructed all around the Capitol. Once they were turned on they created a larger version of the Game maker's force field. This one is much stronger than the fields around the arenas. If a train or hover craft hits it, it becomes incinerated instantly," Gale explained.
"Is it the same exact technology as the Game Makers field?"
"I think so. Why?"
"There might be holes in it," I reply.
"If there is our people haven't been able to find them," Gale replied leading us over to a table map. He hit a button on the table bringing the map to life. "You can see the field surrounding the Capitol on all sides," Gale said pointing to the dome covering the Capitol.
"Not on all sides," I say pointing at the mountain on the map. "There's no field surrounding the mountain."
"No, but the side of it facing the Capitol is within the field."
"Meaning we can get into the Capitol that way," I say.
"We thought of that, but Thatcher wouldn't be dumb enough to leave us a way in."
"He would if it's a trap," Peeta replied.
"Then we're back to square one," Gale said.
"No, we're not," I say. "That's our way in."
"It's too risky," Gale replied.
"How soon can we leave?" I ask not wanting to waste another minute.
"Katniss," Gale began.
"You won't talk her out of it, Gale. She's as determined as I am to get our son back," Peeta said.
"I understand that Peeta and I want to help, but I can't just stand by while you two risk your lives," Gale replied.
"We've been risking our lives since the first games," I state.
Gale sighed and dropped his head. "All right Catnip, we'll try the tunnel through the mountain."
"No, Peeta and I will go through the tunnel. If it is a trap, we need you free to still try and get through that force field," I say.
"No," Gale said after his head snapped up. "My bombs may have killed Prim, but I'm not going to watch you die."
"They didn't," I say softly.
"What?" Gale asked completely confused.
"Your bombs didn't kill Prim. They killed a Mutt created to look like her," I reply.
"Prim is alive?"
"Yes," I say smiling slightly.
"That's great," Gale said relief clearly showing on his face. "I don't care what you say, Katniss. I'm coming with you and Peeta."
I knew there was no talking him out of it. I nod my head in agreement. "All right, Gale. Let's get to that tunnel." If Thatcher wanted a showdown, I was more than prepared to give him one.