A/N: Hey guys, haven't posted for a while. Got a little busy with life. Anyway, we're quickly approaching the Quarter Quell. This chapter and one more chapter.
Days went by with the Teslas spending every waking moment in their basement workroom. Wiress began finalizing her current projects and Beetee continued testing his thin gold wire. The room was often filled with the sound of Wiress singing or humming as she worked.
"Beetee?" Wiress asked looking over at her husband who was typing notes on his latest voltage test.
"Yes, Wiress?" Beetee asked smiling at his wife. Though he'd ran his tests on his wire before, he found excuses to spend time with Wiress as she worked. Each day he treasured the moments working by her side.
"I will give you a key to our safe." She explained. "My notebooks and –"
"Wiress –" Beetee began, his voice strained with pain.
"I want you to give my work to survivors of the rebellion in the district –" Blinking back tears, Beetee shook his head. "Beetee, you promised –"
"I can't, Wiress. I can't allow myself to think that I might lose you." Removing his safety goggles and gloves, he approached Wiress and wrapped his arms around her. Nuzzling his face against her neck, he kissed her skin gently. "Baby – it just hurts – you giving up like this."
"I'm not giving up." Wiress responded pulling away from her husband's grasp. "Here." Pulling out a well worn notebook from her pile of books, she opened it.
"This is –" Beetee began running his fingers over the worn cover.
"My notebook from my Games." Wiress finished. "I've been reviewing my work, adding drawings. I will show Katniss and Peeta –"
"You're giving them tools to win." Beetee finished.
"Yes." Wiress said. "Beetee – look –" Opening another notebook, Beetee examined more traps for a cityscape.
"For the rebels." Beetee finished looking at a drawing of Peacekeepers tangled in a trap that was attached to a window and activated from someone inside a building.
"This is how I'm fighting." Nodding, Beetee closed her notebooks. "I'm ready, though. To let go."
"Wiress –" Beetee began as tears sprang to his eyes.
"Beetee – you – and this work –" Wiress paused as she took her husband's hands in her own. "This blocks the pain – So much pain –" Tears streamed down Beetee's face as he wiped tears from Wiress' cheeks with his fingers. "Free, Beetee."
"You want to be free. From Snow. From the pain he caused." Beetee stated finally understanding. "Sweetie, I – I understand. It won't be – what I want – but –" He paused. "But I will know you will be free."
"Thank you." Wiress whispered as Beetee wrapped his arms around her sobbing. "For understanding."
A month after the Quarter Quell announcement, Wiress was baking dinner rolls and cooking vegetables when the phone rang. Pressing a button by the stove, she activated a bluetooth receiver to answer. "Tesla residence."
"Hey, Wiress, where's Beetee?" Raising her eyebrows at the sound of Plutarch's voice, Wiress turned off the burners.
"He is working –" Wiress began looking toward the door to the basement. "Did you need to speak to –" She called knowing the sensitive speaker could pick up every noise in the room.
"I can talk to both of you." Plutarch said cheerfully.
"Ok. One moment." Opening the door, Wiress heard the familiar crackle of electricity from Beetee's wire testing. "Beetee! Phone! It's Plutarch –"
"Coming, honey!" Beetee called as he came upstairs. "Mm, dinner smells lovely!"
"Yes, it's almost done." Wiress said as the oven timer beeped.
"Oh – they're done!" Beetee exclaimed doning oven mitts before removing the baking sheet.
"Beetee Tesla!" Wiress yelped as Beetee nibbled a corner of a roll once he set the sheet on a cooling rack.
"Well, I'll make it quick since you two are about to eat." Plutarch added chuckling as Wiress playfully smacked her husband before quickly hurrying toward the speaker. Beetee's antics of nibbling the dinner rolls distracted her from the Gamemaker's call. "You're invited to the Capitol in three days. Watch for the official invitation over email, but I thought you could get ready now!"
"Yes, I shall buy Wiress a dress for the occasion!" Beetee chuckled. "Well, Wiress is giving me the eye to come eat, so I'll let you go!"
"See you soon!" Plutarch called before Beetee pushed the button near the speaker to end the phone call.
"I wonder what –" Wiress began as she dismantled a gear assembly in the maintenance work car of a train carrying electronic goods to the Capitol. True to his word, Plutarch had sent a formal invitation to the Teslas and provided documentation allowing them to travel with the next merchandise filled train. They would once again stay at Plutarch's house.
"Our assignment will be?" Beetee asked adjusting the cuffs on his blue jumpsuit. Other mechanics and engineers were examining blueprints or assembling parts for the train on long wooden tables. The regular workers welcomed Wiress and Beetee as they changed into their disguises.
"You two should hop trains more often! They run a heck of a lot better on your shifts!" One of the workers quipped. Beetee smiled at the young man commenting on his work.
"Perhaps, soon, we will all be free to use our talents as we wish." Beetee remarked as several workers cheered. Though the workers knew the Teslas were traveling to aid the rebellion, Beetee and Wiress still spoke in a code of sorts. "Yes, my dear, I am eager for our assignment too."
"And it will help our ongoing projects –" Wiress added smiling. Knowledge gained during their trip to the Capitol would inform the revolution back in District Three. Leaning across the table, Wiress grasped her husband's hand as the train ascended the tunnel to the Capitol. "We both will work hard."
"I know." Beetee smiled and squeezed Wiress' hand. The spark of determination had returned to her eyes and they disembarked the train with the other workers. After presenting Plutarch's email and their travel documents to the Peacekeepers patroling the train station, they walked through the station terminal to hail a cab.
"Where are you two geniuses going?" A familiar voice jolted Wiress from her mental exercise of recalling the Capitol's street layout.
"Beetee –" Pulling her husband's hand, she came to a stop as Plutarch called to them waving by the front doors of the terminal.
"Oh, Gamemaker Heavensbee! We were just about to hail a cab." Beetee explained as the two men shook hands.
"As it is my house party, I would be remiss if I didn't collect my guests myself. We just need to wait for the others – ah – there's Finnick!" Finnick approached the group wearing flip-flops, very tight very short shorts, and a Hawaiian shirt. He pushed Mags in a wheelchair pausing every so often to adjust the duffel bag over his shoulder. "Hello, Finnick. Mags. Has Haymitch's train pulled in yet?"
"HEY, HEAVENSBEE? WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" A man's drunken growl echoed through the terminal lobby.
"And that would be Haymitch." Finnick muttered rolling his eyes as the others laughed.
"Mr. Abernathy! We must meet our host straightaway!" A shrill voice scolded. Haymitch in his wrinkled button-up shirt and pants stood in contrast to the Capitol woman who had finally caught up to him. She was in a dark purple suit and skirt paired with neon green stilleto heels. The curls from her signature pink wig bounced as she wagged her finger at Haymitch.
"Damn woman pulled me from the bar. It was 2 pints for 2 Panem Monetary Units!" Haymitch grumbled before gulping strong beer from a large red plastic cup.
"Hello, Haymitch." Plutarch said shaking Haymitch's free hand while standing away from his alcohol laced breath. "Good afternoon, Miss Trinket." He bowed to the District Twelve escort who curtseyed before reapplying her blush. "Now, I have my driver and the limo I rented for everyone. Yes, Finnick, we will help Mags into the vehicle – there it is. Just outside the door!" The Teslas held the doors open so Finnick could steer Mags to the black stretch limo awaiting them. Martin, Plutarch's avox, opened the door as Finnick parked Mags' wheelchair. Helping her to her feet, Finnick guided her to the car. After a moment, he reappeared to push the wheelchair back to the train station information desk. The Teslas entered the limo followed by Haymitch and Effie. Plutarch was the last one in and he smiled as his guests settled onto the long leather seats. The Teslas were particularly impressed with the lighted ceiling.
"And the lights are powered with –" Wiress gasped in awe pointing to the ribbons of multicolored lights on the ceiling.
"The heat from the engine." Beetee finished before taking her hand as the limo began moving.
"Didja stock up for our visit?" Haymitch asked after swallowing the last of his beer and belching.
"Yes, I stocked the kitchen with your favorite beverages, Mr. Abernathy." Plutarch laughed. After paying the limo driver a handsome tip, Plutarch led his guests to his apartment.
"Well, there's the rest of the freak show." Wiress and Beetee stared at the young woman sitting on a cushion in Plutarch's living room. She was dressed in a flannel shirt that was open to reveal a low cut bra, jeans with holes, and sturdy hiking boots. Her dark brown hair was spiked and she was whittling a stick with a sharp pocket knife.
"When did you arrive, Miss Mason?" Plutarch asked the victor from District Seven.
"This mornin.' Rode with the lumber train and walked to your place. Your spare key is in the planter by your door. I figured that out easy." Taking aim, Johanna Mason lobbed her sharpened stick at a lamp knocking it over and shattering the ceramic vase.
"Ah –" Plutarch stammered hoping he could find a replacement lamp in the $200.00 range to break even with his previous purchase.
"You hated that lamp. You said so earlier. Now, you can buy a new one. Or have Nuts and Volts repair that one." Beetee glared at the young girl who called his wife an insulting name. Plutarch looked at the box of artisian crackers that were meant for his cheese tray he would have Martin assemble as an appetizer. "So, when's dinner?" Jo asked shoving crackers into her mouth.
"In an hour I was planning on serving appetizers." Plutarch said as Mags and Finnick settled themselves on the couch.
"Geez, Jo, what did you do? Raid Heavensbee's fridge?" Finnick yelped noticing the mess of crumbs on the floor next to Jo.
"What?" Jo yelped irritatedly as Finnick leaned over and gave her a sound nuggie. "When I can feed my face in a city where half the people aren't starving, hell, I'll take it!"
"Hey, Plutarch, where your olives?" Haymitch growled as he poured a glass of pure vodka before Martin handed him a small crystal dish with olives. "Thanks, man."
"Well, I suppose we can begin some appetizers since Miss Mason and Mr. Abernathy have explored my kitchen." Plutarch announced. Effie sat daintily on an easy chair as if she was determined to force Capitol manners into Jo and Haymitch through osmosis via observation.
"Yeah, and we can all hit the pool after dinner! Midnight swim! Reserved the pool at the 1st Avenue Athletic club us!"
"Hey, if it's just us, we can skinny dip?" Jo asked eagerly.
"Hell yeah!" Finnick cheered before the twenty-something victors laughed hysterically. Martin set the appetizer tray on the coffee table as everyone gathered on the couches (or in Jo's case, sat on the floor) and began nibbling.
"Ah – right –" Beetee stammered before placing his audio-visual scramblers on the table. To an observer, they looked like small black pens. Actually, one end had a functional pen, so several victors picked them up and began to write on the pads of paper Wiress passed around. "So – ah – matters at hand."
"Yes." Plutarch began. "You have all been invited because you will either be in the arena or be mentors, and you are all part of the resistance."
"Duh." Jo muttered before Finnick playfully slapped her in the back of the head.
"Loverboy wants to save his girl." Haymitch muttered. "So we got my kids going back in."
"I'm not letting Annie go in." Finnick said firmly. Mags hummed and nodded her assent.
"You're an old lady. You won't make it out." Jo said. Smiling Mags shook her head and patted Jo's shoulder.
"She wants us to fight. For her." Finnick said solemly as he took Mags' hand. "Nana, you believe in our future so much –"
"You want to be – free." Wiress said understandingly. A tear trickled down the elderly woman's cheek. "I know –"
"Beetee, Wiress, As you two are the only victors of District Three – " Plutarch began.
"We're in, obviously."
"Blight and I are going back in." Jo announced. "So, the arena. What can you spill?"
"Well, Four and Three will have an advantage." Plutarch pointed out.
"Oh god." Jo groaned. "We have to swim to safety before Volts electrocutes some people."
"Well, not exactly." Plutarch began. "The plan will center around Katniss and Peeta."
"Naturally." Finnick added. "The whole country is obsessed with them."
"Correction, the Capitol is obsessed with them!" Jo shot back.
"Anyway," Plutarch began before the young victors could begin bickering. "Haymitch, you will probably not want for sponsor money."
"Yeah." Haymitch muttered as he drank his fourth martini. "I betcha Snow won't let 'em both out this time."
"Oh, but he won't have to." Plutarch continued grinning. "What, Mr. Abernathy did you discover during your Games?"
"Hell. Hell, baby. Ain't nothing like the blood thirsty arena and the Capitol – pull ya into hell –"
"I mean, about the arena itself. Something universal to every arena." Plutarch coaxed shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
"The damn force-field, but what does that –"
"Oh!" Wiress gasped. "A way – a chink in the field – out –" Her large eyes gleamed with excitement as she grasped Beetee's hand. "Oh, Plutarch!"
"Nuts, speak English." Jo grumbled.
"My Wiress is right." Beetee said chuckling. "We merely need to find a way to puncture the forcefield, thereby obliterating the arena and – well – everyone inside it."
"We're all gonna die?" Finnick yelped. "This plan sucks, man!"
"No, no no." Plutarch paused and savored the suspense in the room. "District Three will blow the force-field and we all plus Katniss and Peeta will take a little ride to District Thirteen." Effie shrieked as Haymitch choked on his drink and sprayed her with most of it.
"District Thirteen!" Haymitch gasped as Finnick thumped him on the back. "Now you ain't sober, man! How in the hell are we gonna get to – it a damn nuclear wasteland, boy!"
"It is not, I have seen it myself and President Coin and I have been in discussion for quite some time –"
"President – " Wiress began. "So, they have a government, infrastructure –"
"They are a functioning city-state – or I guess I should say district-state."
"How?" Beetee asked stunned. Jo and Finnick gaped at Plutarch as Mags hummed with her eyes closed, her head resting on the back of the couch.
"A deal between Snow and Coin. She could keep her district under wraps if she promised not to nuke the Capitol."
"So, there are people – parents who have never feared of losing their children to the Hunger Games –" Beetee hissed. "Parents who have never seen their children standing on those platforms –"
"Mr. Tesla, they are quite capable of aiding us with the revolution –"
"NO! THEY WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND OUR PAIN!" Beetee yelled standing up and facing Plutarch. "AND YOU THINK JUST BECAUSE THEY WILL GIVE US THE MANPOWER, THEY WILL TRULY BE ON OUR SIDE!"
"Sit down, Volts!" Jo snapped. "Half their people almost starved to death. Twice. A bunch of them got that skin thing – yeah – small pox and dropped dead. The Capitol didn't help them once." She explained. "Basically, it was, 'Okay, don't nuke us, but we won't give you a lick of help.'"
"How do you –" Wiress asked wonderingly.
"Know?" Jo asked. "Oh, I have friends that have their sources." Looking at Finnick, she winked. "So, I expect to be badass during this revolution, Gamemaker." She announced.
"You will be." Plutarch said. "You all will support The Mockingjay in her efforts to overthrow the country."
"So Birdgirl is the savior of Panem." Jo whistled slowly. "Ok, then what's she doing here?" Pointing indignantly to Effie, Jo glared at her. "I mean, she's a freaking escort! She's a Capitol freak just like you, Gamemaker. More so. God, just look at her!"
"She will help the Mockingjay during the propos." Haymitch growled as he poured himself another strong drink. "Propoganda spots. Kid's already a symbol of the revolution. Why not just make it official."
"Yes, those will be aired strategically after we break from the arena, and will help rally the districts to rise up against the Capitol." Everyone was silent as they digested Plutarch's words and plan.
"Beetee, you know how – computers – and the telecommunications –" Wiress began excitedly. "Oh, Beetee, this is wonderful!"
"Yes, and I am sure Plutarch has a specific role for you as well." Beetee chuckled putting an arm around his wife.
"Well, as you two invent as a team, you two can oversee the technology and develop your inventions as needed for the revolution. Oh, and we will be using that wire of yours, Beetee." Wiress wrapped her arms around Beetee's middle and gazed lovingly at him.
"My Beetee, my genius, my love! I will help you with whatver – oh, I know you can do this –" Wiress gushed as her heart overflowed with pride for her love.
"Oh, please." Jo groaned as Wiress peppered her husband with kisses. "Sappy nerds. I seriously – grooooooss!"
"So, that's what we'll talk about while we're here?" Finnick asked. "The details of this plan?"
"Exactly." Plutarch replied before addressing all the victors. "Oh, and - I recommend that everyone join you at the rec center tonight." He smiled. "I hear you give excellent swimming lessons."