My first worry is for Lizzy and Octavian in District 12.
"Where are they landing?" I scream to Amelia as she desperately punches a keyboard. The holographic globe above the conference table transforms into a three-dimensional map of Panem. Red dots representing enemy units begin to cluster in specific locations around the country.
"This doesn't make any sense," she says confused. "They're already flying inland from the coasts and taking heavy casualties from our air defenses. TEC forces seem to be concentrating in only four districts."
"Which ones?" General Sturm asks.
"3, 6, 13….and 2."
Those districts don't even border each other! Why would they be starting their invasion there?" President Holmes says. "Those divisions will be immediately cut off and isolated."
"Because, TEC wants to cripple our ability to make war. Think about it: Three is Industry, 6 is Transportation, 13 is…well, obvious, and 2 is the home to Ohm's former factory. We lose those districts, and we become combat ineffective," I say pensively.
"Then we won't lose those districts!" Sturm shouts.
"Now hold on, just one second," Gale interrupts. "What exactly is your plan there, ladies and gentlemen? Like you said, we lose those districts and we're completely combat ineffective. So, you want us to ride rough shot in there like the cavalry and pulverize everything? How do you know that's not the TEC's whole plan? We destroy our own infrastructure and then all they have to do is wait a few months for us to starve and steam-roll us!"
"Again," I say, "this has nothing to do with the fact that the precious factory you just inherited is in District 2, does it?"
"Of course not, Colonel! As Chief of Special Defense, I'm merely concerned with the long term viability of our Military Industrial Complex."
"Right, that's gotta be it," I reply sarcastically.
"Are you sure you're the same Gale Hawthorne that I fought with all those years ago? Full of piss and vinegar ready to do whatever it took to win?" General Sturm asks like a disappointed old friend.
"No, I'm not, Wade," Gale says sternly. "I've grown up and I was hoping that you had as well." General Sturm's face grows red, but he offers no other response. Gale continues, "It's not enough anymore to just destroy everything and then start over. We're past that, by a long shot. The TEC has had two hundred years to prepare for this fight. We haven't even had thirty years of peace since the last time we destroyed this country. We can't keep doing this and hope to survive. We've got to come up with some way to bring peace with honor." General Sturm explodes.
"A weapons designer who now is too afraid to go to war…that's rich. Right now, Brainwashed TEC zombies are getting ready to lay waste to District 2, my home and now yours as well! And the way you're talking, I don't think you give a damn! You coward!"
"Call me a coward if you want, General, but that does not change the fact that what you're suggesting will bring about the possible deaths of millions of innocents…"
"You build bombs, you hypocrite!" Sturm continues to his tirade, but Gale is unfazed.
"Just because I build bombs doesn't mean that I want them used indiscriminately. I've lived with the consequences of such stupidity before…." Out of the corner of my eye, I see Gale looking at the Mockingjay pin on my shirt. "I used to be willing to do anything to secure victory, General, but no longer. I lost everything that I ever wanted or cared about following that blind dogma, and I refuse to make the same mistake again."
"Then, Mr. Hawthorne," President Holmes says resolutely, "perhaps the position of Chief of Special Defense is not for you…"
"Madame President, please…" I say interrupting. "As much as it pains me to agree with the cheesedick here…"
"cheesedick?" Gale yells at me insulted.
"Yes, cheesedick," I say without even looking at him. "It's a word, look it up." General Sturm at this point is doing his best to hold in laughter, but the President does not look amused as I continue my point. "A full assault would be counterproductive at this juncture, but not because of any ridiculous notions of 'peace with honor.'"
"And why do you say that, Colonel Snow?" President Holmes replies.
"Because, Ma'am. They have Ohm with them now, which means he's trying to deceive us again just like last year. If your goal is to overrun, an entire country, why would attack with only four divisions? That's less than ten percent of total TEC forces. No, I know what Rikard is thinking. He believes we're so inexperienced and foolish that we'll fall for two deceptions in a row. So, while we're assembling all our forces for a massive counterassault, the TEC raiders will be accomplishing whatever is their real mission, and then all our forces will be stagnant for days or maybe even weeks as they hunt the enemy down across the country unnecessarily. This whole thing is a trick, that I'm sure of. It's what they're really doing that I can't figure out."
"Then what exactly is your suggestion, Colonel?" says President Holmes confused and definitely frustrated.
"Four strike teams, no more than fifty members a piece and each led by an experienced operative. They go in to the affected districts, knock the TEC forces off balance, and then figure out what the hell they're really doing. "
"When would these strike teams leave?" President Holmes asks. I look at the time on my communicuff.
"How long does it take to fuel four assault hovercrafts, draw weapons, and then you sign the order?"
"Captain Flagg," President Holmes says without looking away from me.
"Yes, Madam President."
"Make the preparations. The Assault teams go wheels up in one hour."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Amelia says running off toward the underground hangar.
"And who, Colonel Snow," President Holmes continues, "did you have in mind to lead these four teams?"
"I'll take District 6. I trained their extensively as a cadet and know the layout of the city."
"Take good care of it, please," she says with a worried voice. "Remember, that's my home."
"Yes, Ma'am."
"What about the other three?" I look at the digital roster of available personnel.
"Well, we have Lieutenant Colonel Marbury available. He has experience as a commander at Fort Boggs so he is familiar with 13. We also have Major Tacker: her husband is from District 3 and I know she travels there regularly."
"Alright, go with those two. Who do we have to lead the counter-assault on 2?"
"Easy," General Sturm interjects calmly. "Me." We are all taken by surprise by his desire to fight, but soon realize we shouldn't be.
"Actually, General," President Holmes asks tactfully, "I was hoping that you would remain here with me in Central Briefing to oversee command and control."
"Absolutely not, Ma'am," he says looking at her in the eye. "Like you said, it's my home and if it goes down, I want to make sure it's with a fight." We can see President Holmes turning the issue over and over again in her mind, but she finally comes to a decision we know is the right one.
"Very well, General Sturm, I think you've earned it."
"Are we actually considering this ridiculous plan?" Gale screams. "A platoon of fifty against a division of over a thousand? What possible good will this do besides waste lives and resources? If the TEC starts thinking we aren't even a viable threat, they'll just send even more forces and we'll really be against the ropes."
"On the contrary, Mr. Hawthorne," I say disdainfully. "After we've accomplished our missions, I think the TEC will see us as a very viable threat, indeed."
Half an hour later, the raiders are all assembled in the main hangar in full combat gear. Amelia, as always, has performed flawlessly. She was able to assemble a two-hundred person strike force out of the ashes of the Ministry in less time than it takes most people to do the dishes after dinner.
General Sturm, Lieutenant Colonel Marbury, Major Tacker, and I look out at the faces that are locked, cocked, and ready to roll.
"Sir," I say gesturing to General Sturm, "the floor is yours to brief."
"Oh no, Colonel Snow," this is your plan and your show. "I'm just here to go out and pull some triggers."
"Roger that, Sir," I say with a smile. "Alright everybody, listen up!" I scream to get the crowd's attention. "You all should have been briefed the initial plan by your team leader already. They'll go over specific considerations and tactics for your individual districts in the air en route to the objective. No matter what happens, remember the key tasks: Disrupt the enemy formations, gather as much actionable intelligence as you can on the ground, and do your damndest to kick their asses back across the ocean where they belong!" A quick roar erupts from the raiders before a wave of my right arm silences them again.
"We're under attack, ladies and gentlemen. This is not just a drill. This is real. Those brainwashed TEC zombies are landing in our country, within our borders, among our homes, friends, and family. Our parents fought for the freedom of this country just a generation ago! Their sacrifice will mean nothing, if we are not victorious today. We fail in this fight and we not only fail ourselves, we fail them, and we will also fail our children. I don't know about you, but I'm not gonna let that happen.
"Remember, if you get overwhelmed, fall back and call for reinforcements. Do not under any circumstances let them push you back out of the District. Maneuver if you have to, but keep your eyes on the enemy at all times. Team Leaders, let's mount up!" Instantly Marbury and Tacker order their soldiers onto their respective waiting hovercraft. Sturm walks up to me.
"'Our parents fought for the freedom of this country a generation ago?' You young whipper-snapping son of a…" he says with a chuckle as he holds out his hand.
"Hey, Sir, I'm just telling it like it is." I reach up and shake back.
"Just because I'm old doesn't mean I still can't kick your ass."
"Understood, Sir."
"Good luck, Ares, May the odds be ever in your favor."
"And to you as well, Sir." I pause. "If, I don't come back…." I pause to gather my words. "Please tell my family how much I loved them and make sure Lizzy and Octavian are taken care of."
"Of course, Colonel. I'd know you'd do the same for me."
With one last nod of understanding between us, he runs to join his soldiers. I turn toward my own ship, but am interrupted before I can board.
"Colonel Snow!" I recognize the voice.
"Now? Really?" I turn around. "Yes, Mr. Hawthorne…" I immediately stop my condescending tone when I see the serious emotional turmoil on his face.
"Just tell me two things…." He says holding back tears.
"Alright."
"First….is she safe?"
"It's Katniss, Gale. Wherever she is, is the safest possible place. That's why I trusted her and Peeta with Lizzy and Octavian."
"Then you don't know Katniss like I do. I swear trouble finds her like a compass points north." We both manage a chuckle.
"What else did you want to know?" He swallows hard and glances off towards the ceiling. It's like he can't bear to look me in the face. Finally, he manages to choke out the words:
"Is….is she happy…with him?"
"What do you want me to say, Gale?"
"Just the truth." I don't hesitate.
"Yes, she's very happy with Peeta." A single tear is finally able to push its way down his face. He quickly wipes it away.
"Do they have children?"
"Yes, two. A girl and a boy." He shakes his head a few times.
"She told me….that she was never going to have children…with anyone."
He steps backward as if he's afraid to show his back to me, but finally turns and leaves.
For a few seconds, I actually feel some sympathy, but soon remember who I'm thinking about. I can't let a love-lorn arms-dealer cloud my judgment. I won't even let my own wife and child into my thoughts right now. If I really love them, I'll stay focused on the fight and come back to them alive and unharmed. I climb up the ramp and yell to the pilots:
"Let all the other team leaders know: Move, move now!"
The roar of the engines begins. The four assault ships, laden with their deadly cargo of men and materiel lift into the air. They clear the hangar doors and climb into the golden rays of the setting sun before racing to the four corners of Panem.