"Today we received an encrypted message from the rebels in District Three." Beetee announced proudly. Wiress used her tablet to zoom in on the flatscreen monitor in the conference room in Command. Typing in some commands, she switched the screen to split-view.
One side of the screen showed a jumble of numbers and letters in green type on a black background. The other side displayed a slideshow of pictures taken from within the district. Citizens were celebrating in the streets even in the midst of rubble from bombed buildings and factories. Another picture showed several teens in front of the ruins of the Engineering Academy sitting on desks made pieces of plywood as they proudly held books salvaged from the wreckage of the school.
"We are proud to announce that the rebels have taken the district." Beetee said reading the message embedded in the computer code. "Capitol craft stands no chance against our improvised missiles and computerized aircraft detection systems. Rebel leaders are focused on ensuring food and supplies reach all points of the -" Wiress reached for her husband's hand as he choked up. "The rallying cry has been The Mockingjay and the Teslas' children. Our work plus the Mockingjay's work in District Thirteen will free Panem."
"Very good." Boggs said wiping his eyes as the last picture on the slideshow appeared on the screen. Beetee and Wiress squeezed each other's hands for comfort as they looked at a picture of Estelle standing next to Noah on his first day at the Engineering Academy. They were both in their uniforms as the picture was from the school paper. A caption under the picture read: The Inventing Duo is complete: Noah Tesla has big dreams on his first day. "What was your son's goal in school?" Boggs asked thinking about the bright-eyed young recruits he supervised when he was on Basic Training duty.
"He wanted to invent more machines than his dear old dad." Beetee chuckled. "He started at age eight."
"What did he invent at age eight?" Plutarch asked intrigued.
"A whoopie cushion that contained a little bit of brown silly-string type material that came out a second hole at the same time the air was expelled - " In spite of the grief in his heart, Beetee chuckled. "It made its debut during a science project and he sprayed his teacher with the stuff -" Everyone chuckled, and Beetee through he saw a brief smile on Con's face.
"Kids, man -" Haymitch chuckled.
"Are you going to share stories like that for the We Remember propos?" Plutarch asked.
"I can." Beetee said before looking at the picture of his children still on the screen. "Buddy, my star, I can tell these guys anything so they win this for you."
"We shall air your We Remember segment soon then." Coin suggested. "Are you able to prep for that later today?" Her question was directed at Plutarch, Cressida, and the camera crew who nodded.
"We can." Plutarch answered.
"I'll do my software tests and Wiress can work with the army on the new surface to air missile launchers tomorrow." Beetee announced.
"We should get to it then." Cressida pointed out looking at the clock on the wall. Coin nodded dismissing the group. As they entered the filming studio, Cressida turned around and looked at the Teslas."I made it clear with her that you two are calling the shots for this segment." Wiress raised her eyebrows.
"Don't mess with Cressida when she gets an idea." Castor added before Pollux pulled her into a side hug.
"Stop it, you two! You embarrass me!"
"Um, correction, little bro embarrasses you." Castor pointed out as his twin brother blushed darkly. Pollux signed quickly at Castor directing him to some equipment before flipping him off. "HEY!" Castor yelped playfully. "That comment was so coming!"
"I appreciate your input with Coin. So the propos are approved -" Wiress began.
"Yes, through her, especially ones without Katniss. She sorta lets Katniss do her thing, but Katniss knows what she - what style Coin wants for the revolution." Wiress and Beetee nodded.
"This is how you first saw our boy and our star." Beetee began pointing to a picture of Noah and Estelle in te tribute parade. Wiress stold beside her husband and took his hand. "Look how brave they were. They knew they would do heir best in training, so their confidence is real." The slideshow on the monitor behind them advanced to th next picture.
"That must be Estelle's school picture." Cressida said from her director's chair across from the Teslas. Beetee was in his wheelchair with Wiress in an office chair next to him.
"Yes." Wiress' raspy voice was amplified with her mic pinned to her shirt. "My girl last year - her last school year - her certificate says -" Beetee wrapped an arm around Wiress as she begsn crying.
"Top of her class." Beetee finished. "There's my boy." Pointng to the next picture, he smiled as tears streamed down his face. Noah was in his Engineering Academy uniform holding a robot. "He built that for the annual robotics competition. Won second place. We began working on blueprints for next year's competition when he was reaped -" Beetee's voice cracked. "I have your notebook here in your mom and my workshop, buddy. You would like it here -"
"How would they contribute to the revolution if the Capitol hadn't taken them away to be killed in the Games?"
"They would help us in the shop, of course." Wiress replied. "Estelle would be at her dad's side working at the computer and Noah would -"
"He would be by your side, hon." Beetee finished. Cressida nodxed knowing the grieving Teslas would twist the hearts of the nation further fueling the rebellion.
"We fight every day for our children. So other parents can hold their boys and girls - "
"In their arms every night." Beetee finished. Tears streaming down her face, Cressida made a motion for the twins to stop filming. She looked at the Teslasfor further guidance. "Let's air the propo. Let's bring that bloodthirsty Capitol to an end."