Reminder : Petronius Padmore is Caesar Flickerman's new identity (a former political enemy of Snow's that was avoxed and eventually died.)
Year 76, February, the Capitol
Alma Coin walked slowly, relishing in the sound of her footsteps in the marble corridor. She'd tear it down, stone by stone, until not even the memory of it remained. Behind her, in the boulevard leading to the Presidential Palace, stood a Panem united, men and women from every District, some having walked for weeks all the way from Seven's Northern marshes.
The people of Panem had set up tents and chanted for change, for her leadership. Coin would to answer their prayers. Revenge and a new world that would give everyone the life they deserved.
She frowned. A man and three Homeguard, unarmed –interesting-, seemed to have been waiting for her. He bowed from the waist, an odd gesture that was neither military nor any Capitol tradition she knew of. Still, the meaning was clear and she appreciated it.
Ha. Snow couldn't even keep his own spoiled people loyal.
She greeted the man with a nod and a polite questioning smile.
« Madam President, Petronius Padmore, at your service. » Ah, the former Capitol avox who'd contacted her. She'd been intrigued, and later impressed when he'd sent her proof of Claudius Templesmith's death. And now he was the first Capitol-born to use her title without flinching.
« The building is your for the taking, Ma'am. Coriolanus Snow is in a cell. We have saved as many of the children as we could. »
Yes, the children. Snow had opened his house as sanctuary for Capitol children. Hundreds of bright-eyed well-fed children. Had he truly thought it would stay her hand ? The Hunger Games casualties' alone had claimed the lives of seventeen-hundred innocents. The Pox had murdered almost as many, and had deprived thousands more of the chance to be born. She'd felt finally so light when the bombs had cleansed the palace. Coriolanus Snow had been one of the few to survive.
Claret. Her little girl. That monster deserved to suffer so much. « Any of Snow's relations among the children ? »
« His grand-daughter perished, » Petronius said neutrally, as if he was waiting for Coin's reaction to decide if he was to look contrite or not. He allowed a small vengeful smile to cross his lips. Was she that transparent ? « But Cecelia Rheys' three children are alive and well. » He turned to Plutarch, suddenly slightly nervous. « Shall I take you to them, Sir ? Your presence will reassure them greatly. »
« Go, Plutarch, » Coin said with a small smile. She wanted to be alone when she spoke to Snow.
Plutarch clearly would have gone even without her permission. He almost ran off. He'd been twitchy ever since news of Finnick's death had reached them. It had gotten worse after Primrose Everdeen had died. Coin had told the medics to wait until the Palace was taken. Instead, they'd thought to -. Coin wasn't even sure what they'd thought to accomplish. Save the cute Capitol children perhaps ?
Her lips curled as she let the remaining Homeguard lead her to Snow's cell, her own soldiers safely between them.
She'd keep the real rebels, but she'd have no pity for last minute Capitol turncoats.
The medics had been valuable, and young Primrose Everdeen more than many. The girl had had a rare charisma and integrity to her, she'd have made a valuable spokeswoman if steered correctly. Unfortunately, Coin had not been prepared to let Snow slip through her fingers. The bombs had come disguised as supply packages, to make sure no one would think to flee before it was too late. It had been messy, but at least it was over.
Coin would have to deal with Katniss Everdeen when the girl would be released from the hospital. Squad 451 had served its purpose, sweeping the terrain and removing the biggest threats in their ranks. You were too much of an idealist, Boggs. A nagging feeling of waste tugged at her since that day. I am sorry, old friend. Katniss been severely wounded, so much that Coin had wondered if having the Mockingjay go up in flames on the eve of their victory wasn't a fitting end. But Katniss alone was little threat, having her kill Snow, one last propo, would cement Coin's Presidency like nothing else.
And the girl had fought so hard. AlmaCoin respected that.
Soon, Coin would have a long heart to heart with Cressida. Coin hoped she could keep the woman. She'd become as much a symbol as Katniss, especially to Capitol rebels.
Johanna and Haymitch weren't politicians and had no love for the Capitol, they would play along. With Finnick gone, Annie would be pacified by a nice house by the sea. Gale would not be a problem, and for now, Beetee's interests aligned well with hers. If Peeta became a problem… Well… The hijacking gave her such a good explanation for a sudden death.
Alma Coin straightened and took a deep breath when she reached Coriolanus Snow's cell.
She would destroy him.
The thick metal door opened to reveal a short white-haired man in fine clothes chained to the wall by the wrist. He didn't sit up from the thin cot, his eyes betraying his wariness. Coin smiled stiffly, drinking in the sight.
« Stay outside, » she told the soldiers.
She shut the door behind her and looked down at the man responsible for the death of tens of thousands and the misery of countless more.
He really didn't look like much anymore. And they were right, he did stink of blood.
« How had you imagined you'd die, Snow ? » She asked, her lips curling in hate.
« In my bed of course, » he said softly, calm as if she was his guest. She'd expected nothing less. She had a thousand plans to break him and wondered now which would be more suited.
« And you… » He continued, giving her a once over. « After the last war, there was a strong-willed woman officer who thought nobody else would rule Panem as well as she. She hired some District people you know? She believed that talent could come from anywhere. » A patronizing smile graced his lips. « Fancy becoming the next Evadne Achlys ? »
Coin's jaw tightened. She'd not be compared to those monsters. « I never had the honor of meeting her. » Her bitter sarcasm couldn't scratch the surface of a life spent underground, blind to the outside world. « We got Capitol television a touch too late.»
« Sooo… will you send all the socialites to cut lumber and milk cows ? Do you think the rabble outside will be better than them once they've pillaged the city ? Food doesn't grow itself.»
Coin sneered. « District people know the value of work. They will work, but they will work safely and serenely, with doctors tending to their health. Teenagers will travel and be tested, choosing an industry they have an aptitude and inclination for instead of being sorted by geography. Old people will not be discarded, and peacekeepers will deserve their title. »
« And when those hardworking, healthy people will see you in the palace, they will feel no twinge of jealousy, » Snow challenged.
« What palace ? » Coin countered and she was satisfied to see Snow's patronising smile die. « The Capitol will be gone. The money will go to infrastructure, to education, to mutts, because surely many of the more ingrate jobs do not need humans minds to be done. There will be no more glittering parades and outrageous fashions. Workers will not feel jealous because no wealth will feel underserved, no job underappreciated. » She lowered her voice, relishing at the confusion in Snow's eyes. He was too small minded to even imagine such a society. « This city will become wilderness, or maybe burial grounds for our soldiers and civilians… »
She'd seen a glimpse of the Capitol's large graveyard and oddly, she had liked it. The ostentation there felt somehow less offensive than the splurge of wealth in the city, or even Plutarch's shameless girth –how could a man allow himself to remain so fat among soldiers ?-, besides, memorials were important.
« We'll build new central headquarters. » Alma Coin smiled. « Maybe I'll use the stones from your office if I'm feeling sentimental. »
« I suppose avoxes will also become a thing of the past ? » Snow said with a strained smile.
Coin paused. She'd hesitated avoxes did seem a better form justice, and more efficient, than executions or a lifetime of confinement. « I think you've been heavy-handed with hijacking. The technology offers so many possibilities. Maybe a bit of docility is all people need, » she mused. « Avoxes became quite the liability for you, didn't they ? »
Snow's smile became unnervingly brighter. « Hijacking. Yes, how very… military. Tell me, what role will our brave Mockingjay play in this new ordered Panem ? Will she still get a Victor stipend, or is she expected to keep working after she's folded her wings?»
Victors. Soon they would be memories too. « She's a reasonable girl. »
« But she must be devastated by the death of her sister,» Snow insisted, his eyes glinting.
Didn't he look smug. Coin crossed her arms, bile rising in her throat. She'd expected fierce satisfaction. Instead, she was struggling not to kill him right there. « Every one of us has lost loved ones,» Coin replied tightly. « It's my duty to make sure there is no war after this one. Order and justice shall reign supreme.»
Snow chuckled. « You undeniably have the makings of a great leader. Unfortunately, I never did catch your name. » His smile deepened when she scowled. « I'd hate to die not knowing it. »
«Alma Coin, » she said in clipped tones. No, she would not break him. She was not anything like him. « You will be tried. And you will be found guilty, » she vowed.
Katniss would be happy to kill him for her. The poor girl deserved the satisfaction.
« What is it ? » Alma Coin patiently said.
Captain Chester always had that crooked frown when something wasn't right.
«Ma'am, files of the war, sensitive data on the Capitol, on the Games and Victors, on District administration, everything. They've been sent everywhere, to every district, on every channel. » What ? « They were sent from here. »
Coin paled in anger. Information had to be controlled. The people were too ignorant, too drowned in propaganda, to make proper use of such files. This was not the time for questions and debate. She would not let anyone challenge her. Who had dared ? This was not the Capitol way.
She blinked when she saw the footage of Mercury from Three, gaunt and looking older than her thirty years, talking to a camera. Coin couldn't see who was at the other end, but the content of the frustratingly soundless record was nevertheless clear. That meddling fool. The Victor's escape footage had been erased. It was recent, less than a day before they'd taken the building. It was all too well done for amateurs. Whoever had helped her had been on the inside and knew the system well.
Petronius Padmore materialized by her side when Coin began wondering who to ask for information.
She could get used to him. Maybe he could replace Boggs. For now, she still kept a guard between her and the broad man.
« Yes, Mercury… » Petronius said with a thoughtful frown. « That's a bit of a mystery, Madam President, but we think it was Caesar Flickerman. » His lips twitched. « He was killed shortly after her disappearance. Mercury is doubtless now deep in District Three.»
Flickerman. Executing him would have been such a pleasure. « Do we have Flickerman's body for identification ? »
Padmore chuckled, a peculiarly hysterical sound. « Sorry, Ma'am. Some people thought funny to feed him to mutts. See, he was the Hunger Games host for so long and… » The former avox seemed to share those people's humor as he tried to hide undignified giggles behind his hand. Coin didn't blame him. Caesar Flickerman had deserved no less.
But why save Mercury ? Coin would have to send soldiers to Three, unless the woman conveniently revealed herself. Coin didn't fancy announcing to the world that an eighth Victor had survived. They were a threat to her legitimacy.
« We have Templesmith's body as you asked, Madam President. » Petronius added smoothly. « If it pleases you I can put you in contact with Mr. DeCharon, he makes wonders with corpses, and all my sources indicate that he is firmly on the rebel side. »
What a sycophant. Petronius' deference made her think of socialite more than a former slave. She smiled slightly. He would be useful, he had that knack that would make people like him despite themselves.
And with a good enough story, Coin could keep him as the face of the Capitol rebellion and have Cressida vanish without a ripple, if the woman became a problem.
Year 76, February, District Two
Enobaria's eyes swept the room for knives as Mercury sipped her tea. Mercury hadn't done anything, but Enobaria's instincts wouldn't let her leave anything sharp, toxic, or even shoe-laces, within ten feet of the woman.
Mercury had walked in the day before, wearing a plain quarry uniform and a thoughtful frown. She'd claimed to be the mother of a trainee to get through Thirteen's guards. A peacekeeper had recognized her and led her to Enobaria, and now Mercury tethered at the edge of choice.
A choice that set off all of Enobaria's alarm bells. If Mercury decided her work was done -
«You ready to say how you escaped ?» Enobaria said, hating how everything in her own voice and posture felt so contrived. She'd not been trained for this.
She was rather stunned to see Mercury nod.
« Caesar. He changed face and body. Goes under another name. » Short clipped sentences, almost mumbling. It gave Enobaria goosebumps. Mercury did full sentences and big words, and she didn't mumble. « We reached an agreement. He of all people will survive, but his kind always does, » Mercury continued with a wry smile. Smile, emotions. Those were good.
« Caesar fucking Flickerman… » she muttered. She shook her head. Why was she even surprised ?
« He's intelligent, » Mercury said. « If Coin's not… clean, then Caesar will help us get someone saner in place. It's in his interests.»
That snake. Bile burned Enobaria's throat. Brutus, the Village - She found herself hoping Coin would not be sane. Enobaria would not bow to the woman who had killed her family .
Mercury had focused back on her tea, drinking it in tiny sips. Her mind was clearly far from District Two.
« Coin called all the remaining Victors to the Capitol, » Enobaria said, searching for a reaction. Mercury's eyes narrowed, but her face stayed frustratingly blank.
« Meeting's in two weeks, » Enobaria continued. « You'll stay here, to monitor in case things start going downhill. Coin might not be above putting us on trial.»
Mercury put her tea down. « I'm not going to let you return to find me dead, Enobaria, » she said seriously. «I'm grieving, and I'm exhausted, it's normal. Stop panicking. »
Enobaria shut her eyes. Watching the woman felt scarily like mentoring a new Victor of her own, except this Victor was her age and had no intention of letting Enobaria establish a hierarchy between them. Normal or not, Mercury had admitted the week before that she didn't mind dying. That was not okay.
« I just wished you'd smash things instead of… this, » Enobaria grumbled. Bloody Threes… Who had any clue how they really worked.
Mercury gifted her with a small patronizing smile, but her blue eyes held only a shadow of their former liveliness.
Enobaria had to get Mercury curious. Surely the Annex, all its secrets, traditions and mind conditioning, would be enough for a while. Just a year ago, Mercury would have jumped on the first hovercraft out of Three just to get a chance to see Two's Career system from the inside.
Enobaria poured herself tea she didn't want just to keep her hands busy. She was dying for a sword and a good duel. She was going to explode. Bahamut, where are you when I need you ?
« Can you contact Four ? » Enobaria said with forced nonchalance. Being the one making conversation felt fucking weird.
Mercury nodded after a moment. « Give me a couple of hours. »
They finally got hold of a woman called Glynn. It didn't take long to figure out she was the contact Wolfe had talked about. Huh. Enobaria had imagined her bigger. And less... old. But then Mags hadn't look very threatening either.
« I'll be coming to the Capitol with you, Enobaria, only you, » Glynn stressed. « I'll pick you up with a hovercraft directly at the Annex. You won't mistake it for any of Thirteen's. We painted this one yellow. » Subtle. Enobaria liked it. Glynn paused. Just in case Enobaria had rocks in her brains and needed a big red neon sign to pay attention. « Our big dog likes cold dishes, hopefully he'll wait until all's stable again before going off to bite people. His mom and big brother are chilling by the sea.»
Big dog. Enobaria snorted. Wolfe wanted blood. No surprise there. But at least he was smart enough to bide his time and pick his targets with care. If Flickerman didn't take Coin out, Enobaria knew who she'd be hiring to get the job done.
Lyme and Bahamut were alive. They're fucking sunbathing. Enobaria grinned, the urge to grab a sword and hit things fading away.
« If you're bored, Mercury, you should write a new Constitution or something. » Enobaria affected an eyeroll to hide the fact she was that close to breaking into song. « I'm sure you've been drafting it in your fantasies for years. »
Enobaria wasn't quite ready to admit that her own fantasies were of a new Village, one just for the five of them. She'd even have Beetee as a neightbour if that's what it took. Annie too. Hell, she'd tolerate the Twelves. She just drew the line at Johanna Mason. She didn't want to have to sleep with a knife under her pillow.
Year 76, February, District Eight
Paylor blinked when she saw the hovercrafts land. They were bright blue with huge white 4's clumsily painted on them. Paylor hoped that didn't mean Thirteen and Four –and who was 'Four' now? Had Mags been replaced ? Was it like a council ? – were already disagreeing.
She soon realized she'd worried for nothing. A young newly appointed Captain almost fell over himself greeting her.
« It's an honor, Commander. We saw how you let the Capitol have that hospital for the propos. » He said eagerly. « I can't imagine what it cost you, but we owe you half the victory. We never forgot Eight, not one second, Commander. Our own propaganda people are busy writing songs, to remember the war without making it too heavy on the mourners.»
Paylor smiled despite herself. She'd not thought it'd feel so nice to hear it. At least her people would be sung of as the heroes they were.
« How many are you, Captain ? Will you be staying long? »
« Supplies are right behind us, Commander, » he replied, his accent alone bringing some much needed lightness to the city. « We'll be feeding you guys, not the other way around. I hope you like fish. » He sobered. « We're here to make sure order's kept properly until everyone's safely home. We don't want criminals to take advantage of the situation. We've been sending boats and crafts to every District.»
A huge weight lifted off Paylor's chest. With so many rebels marching over the Capitol, -and Paylor didn't dare think about those who'd miscalculated supplies, or who knew little about surviving in the wilderness-, many District villages were left half-empty, deprived of their best people. Paylor had been worried about looting herself. Orphans and homeless people abounded. Supplies were running dangerously low everywhere in Panem, and there were no peacekeepers left to cow people into following the law.
She hoped Four's forces would be welcomed. She desperately hoped they'd not abuse their power.
« You are very welcome, » she said warmly. Victory. The announcement on TV had felt like a dream, but now she could almost taste it.
Victory. The word itself sounded almost too good to be real.
« My orders, Ma'am, but they're only suggestions, Commander, » he said, deferentially stressing her rank, « is that you stay here, away from Thirteen, until it all calms down. Our top people want you to have a political role. You're true District, and Victor Gilly made sure everyone who mattered knew there was no better leader. »
Political ? Paylor's throat tightened. She suddenly felt quite underqualified. But wasn't everyone these days ?
« How do you feel about becoming Prime Minister ? » The Captain asked.
Paylor blinked. The President's second ? Neither Snow nor Achlys, nor even Zephyr, had bothered with one. But the man wasn't joking.
« Do I get a trial period ? » She said hoarsely.
He shrugged. « I'm sure they'll be eager to listen to what you want. I was just told to make you comfortable with the idea. »
Paylor slowly straightened, shock leaving place to pride, and keen determination. I'll prove you right, Gilly. « I will build this new Panem. » An incredulous chuckle burst from her lips. Prime Minister. « I may just need a few days for it all to sink in. »
The Captain saluted, his smile back in full force. « We'll be waiting the go to escort you to the Capitol, Commander. We've got at least a week before that happens. »
That sounded good. A childish grin Paylor had thought the war had stolen from her lit up her face. That sounded awesome.
Year 76, early March, The Capitol
And that's why we needed a Mockingjay.
Katniss Everdeen had come onstage to execute Coriolanus Snow at the end of a trial that had been impressively by-the-book. But instead of Snow, the Mockingjay turned without a word and shot Alma Coin in front of the whole of Panem. Glynn envied the way that girl did politics. Circe, she made it look so easy. Katniss even managed to get Snow killed in the resulting chaos.
It turned out Coin had been the one behind the bombs who'd killed the Capitol children, and her sister Primrose. Sweet Prim, who'd managed to give more meaning to her reaping and her death than three generations of tributes combined.
Glynn had never been humble, but Katniss and Prim had instilled in her a sense of tragic awe. Maybe they were the true heroes of this tale.
Hopefully, Paylor wouldn't have a heart attack at being appointed President until the first elections in almost a century –and the first unrigged elections in almost two - could be held.
Glynn had let the Victors do their business with Coin in the last days. She had had people to see and things to check. And who the blazes was that Petronius Padmore guy ? There were a handful of supposedly dead Capitol avoxes resurfacing, but few had resurfaced quite so… successfuly. Plutarch had said the man had kept his children safe, so Glynn put the task at the bottom of her to-do list. Meaning she'd probably never get to it.
Before the Victors were allowed to go home, Glynn had one more rumor to kill. She should have expected that was what Coin wanted the Victors for –and this was better than the mass murder scenario -, but no, it was not going to happen. Glynn owed Mags that much. Circe, she owed Mags enough that she'd quit politics and use her last breaths to babysit for Annie if the girl wished it.
Finnick, love, you deserved so much better.
Glynn's heels struck the floor hard. 'Squad 451'. How witty. A sociopath, Alma Coin had been a -. Glynn put an end to the string of insulting epithets. Seriously, nice shot, Katniss.
The five Victors were seated around a circular table with Plutarch and Gale Hawthorne. Glynn could barely breathe from the sudden fury building in her chest.
She could afford to be furious now. After decades of masks, of lies, of staying on top of things because she just wasn't allowed to break, she could be mad and Panem would not come crashing down.
Haymitch sat with his legs wide open and his eyebrows raised. Haymitch Abernathy, the drunk, near useless mentor, who'd fipped a switch the moment he'd laid eyes on Katniss. He'd been invaluable, but he still had a long way to go.
Johanna sat straighter, but like Haymitch and Enobaria, she had voted yes. Yes to one last Hunger Games with Capitol children. Johanna was full of hate and anger, but right now, Glynn was confident that even Johanna Mason wasn't as angry as she was.
Beetee's face tightened when he saw Glynn. The awkward genius boy had grown into a man attuned to social cues. He knew exactly why she was here.
Enobaria had her Career face on. But Career or not, she should have known better.
Annie. Annie looked much too nice to be here. Now that it was over, Glynn had no shield against the crushing guilt. She was alive, her husband was alive, her daughter was alive, but Mags, Finn, Esperanza, all their families… and Annie… Glynn had been there, she'd been the one to hold fifteen-year-old's Finnick's hand and tell him he'd save Panem if he could find it in him to lend them his body. And he had! And he'd deserved three years of bliss of every one he'd spent pretending among the Capitol's worst!
Glynn hadn't even been at his wedding.
They were all looking expectantly at her. Circe, she was furious.
« One last Hunger Games ? » Glynn said, spitting the words. « Are you all insane ? Katniss gets a pass, because she doesn't know better, but you ? »
« The fuck are you ? » Haymitch said, leaning back with his arms crossed until only half his chair touched the floor.
Think you're big now Abernathy ?
«I was Mags' ambassador in Four when I was a teen, Haymitch. Then I was hired by Achlys to administrate the hospitals starting from the 12th Games, which made me Mags' first rebel contact in the Capitol. We hit a snag when Snow killed Zephyr, and Thirteen weren't the most reliable of allies, but I daresay we set some solid groundwork for the rebellion." Finally, her anonymous days were over. They'd look at her with respect. "Did you notice that there were no mutts attacking the Districts during this war ? » She said snappily. « You're very welcome. »
Glynn took a shaky breath. She couldn't remember a time she hadn't had her life on the line for… for this. She wouldn't let them ruin it because they couldn't see farther than their PTSD-ridden noses.
A 76th effing Hunger Games. She shot Plutarch a look. Coin or no Coin, how could he have let them even contemplate the idea ?
« Remember Mags ? Or would you rather cruise on her vision and effort and then smash it all up once we've won ? » She lowered her voice when she saw Annie's expression. « You're off the hook, Annie, I'm angry at the others. »
Annie didn't look very reassured, but she wasn't panicking at least. They'd won at long last. They could hire real psychiatrists for Victors now.
The sight of the ashen pregnant woman did nevertheless succeed in putting a solid dent in Glynn's anger. She'd been much more civil when she'd rehearsed this conversation in the morning. Crazy old lady wasn't the impression she'd been going for.
She turned to Beetee, forcing herself to be calm. « I imagine you voted no because you're smart, but you felt like voting yes. » The cycle of violence had to end. Now.
Beetee smiled mirthlessly. « True, but it would serve no purpose and I fear that people have become so accustomed to the Games that they will doubtless ask for ones with criminals as tributes before the decade is over, even if we pass laws abolishing the Games. »
Glynn nodded wearily. She felt ancient just contemplating it, but there would be no escaping that. Little children in every District played 'Hunger Games' with pretend weapons and fancied themselves heroic victors. It was a cornerstone of Panem, not just the arena days, the adrenaline and tears, but the feasts before and after, the feeling of belonging, the togetherness.
Gale looked like Beetee had punched him in the gut. The young man from Twelve had to feel like an outsider among them, but he had earned his place here.
« I think the Capitol should know what it's like, » Enobaria added, hissing through her golden teeth.
Understandable, but no. « Many more than twenty-four kids died in in the Palace bombings, Enobaria. Take it out on the soldiers from Thirteen who killed One's and Two's victors. We have enough footage to identify them. »
Soundless cameras on the outside of the Victor's houses had filmed the butchery. Glynn was not looking at those tapes again. Ever. She suspected Wolfe had made a copy and already had his kill list –not that she could prove anyone had broken into her things, but her instincts were often right-.
Johanna scowled. « Those soldiers just did their job. Careers never hid their loyalties. »
Enobaria stood up with a jolt, her fists slamming on the table. « You know nothing. Had Two not rebelled, had it not been for Lyme, commanding Two's forces, the war would still be on. »
« One out of fourteen victors, » Johanna challenged. « I'm awed. »
Enobaria looked ready to leap over the table and rip Johanna's throat out. Instead she just crossed her arms. « I get it, you're pissed because you got tortured and I didn't. Tell me all about the fighting you did, Mason.»
Glynn's hand fell to her tranquilizer gun.
Unexpectedly, it was Annie who spoke, her voice a splash of cold water. « Cashmere saved Katniss' life twice in the arena. »
Johanna made an incredulous noise. « Saved ? Okay, she missed a few occasions to kill her, but you can't say she saved - »
« She and Gloss saved Finn from betraying himself over a dozen times when he started being sold, » Glynn said gloomily, her hand wrapped around Annie's shoulder. «The rebellion in One was solid since the start. It was the first we infiltrated after Four. That's why Mags could kill Evadne Achlys in One. »
« Wait - Mags killed Achlys ? » Johanna said, staring. Her voice had dropped to barely a whisper and Glynn winced, painfully reminded of how close the young woman had been to Finnick. « Like, personally ? »
« Colonel Valerian Fletcher from One shot the bullet, » Glynn said. So many people. They owed their victory to so very many. « Mags was five feet away. She was the bait, to get Evadne there. »
Circe, even now Glynn still said 'Evadne'. Maybe that was her curse, to have known the human and not just the monster.
« Will we be getting cookies for our time? » Haymitch said, but even he failed to muster any real sarcasm.
Glynn sat down heavily between Annie and Enobaria.
« Don't you want to leave here knowing what you've been part of ? » She turned to Haymitch. « I'll talk to Katniss and Peeta, when they're ready. » They'd need an army of psychiatrists. « It's high time you stopped being tools. You're going to need information if you want choices and a say in what's to come. » The look in Jo's eyes had Glynn stop, struck by fierce sadness. It was a sinister exhaustion that reminded Glynn of the aftermath of the Dark Days. They'd won this time, but - « If your choice is to be left alone," Glynn said softly, "then so be it, but you were the front line soldiers, and I will not let anyone forget that.»
She smiled weakly at their surprised expressions. Only Beetee and Annie seemed proud rather than suspicious and bewildered. Oh Mags, I understand your plight now. She wished she could hug them all.
The Victors finally turned to Plutarch who nodded, looking both more tired and more at peace than Glynn had ever seen him.
« I want -. » Gale shook his head. « I really need to know, » he breathed, looking at Glynn like she'd come straight from Mars. Circe, he'd seen so little of the world. She'd have to start from the very beginning.
« Fine, for Finnick, » Johanna said tightly, her eyes glistening as she gave a nod to Annie.
« I already got the story, » Enobaria grumbled.
« Your source didn't know everything. She knows a lot, but I have a fair bit to add. » A small smile broke Glynn's lips. « Quite a fair bit. You should listen and tell her about it later. »
Glynn had been there since the start. The others were either too young or all dead. Circe, she was the only one left.
Thankfully, she was already seated. She had to have this on record before her own brain began to rot. Losing them once had been bad enough.
Beetee leaned back in his chair. He didn't hide his eagerness at finally receiving the remaining pieces of the puzzle. « So how did we lead the Capitol to a checkmate, Glynn ? »
« It started with Vicuña Chrysaor, » Glynn began, slowly sucked back to another time. « District One's first Victor. The first Volunteer Victor. She's the one who gave Mags the idea to use Career training as a cover, to build a rebel network right under the Capitol's nose.»
Cliche coining of the title was a must^^.
Please review! It'll take you five minutes and make my day.
For next chapter, I'm fiddling with memorials (I might bring DeCharon out one last time), surviving Victors (who may or may not stir up trouble –I'm looking at you, Twos-), Paylor maybe… I want to jump forward in time, a bit canon-style, to show how Panem evolved. Since it all started in Creneis Town, I feel it'd be right to end it there. Input is appreciated^^.
To Paul : There you go, both Mercury and Caesar live.
And about last chapter : it was something I wrote on the side to get me writing again. The Twos and Ones didn't end up in it because by the time I was done with Finnick, I was back in the right state of mind for this chapter. And because butchery of minor OCs is only fun to an extent. You could read the oneshot « The Price of Celebrity » by Lorata if you want a flavor of what it would have been like for Two's unsuspecting loyalist victors.