Author's Note: And the build-up begins. We're getting there, steadily approaching the end.

….

Departures

The air had been sucked out of the Mentors' Centre. The arena had brutally ended Adan's life and taken with it part of the light and heart of the Mentors' Centre. Charo and Adan were almost universally and genuinely liked by the other victors, and they were gone. The victors were reeling from what they had just witnessed.

Halley broke the silence, stood up and said, "I've had enough. I can't watch this anymore."

She looked towards Poppy, and Seven's mentors and nodded. A still tearful Maria approached and wrapped her arms around Three's woman.

"It's time for you to leave, my dear. Your work is done. Go home. I'll be okay, I'll sort everyone." Halley nodded and whispered her goodbyes to Maria, under no illusions that this could be the last time they saw each other.

As she was leaving, Halley squeezed Pluto's shoulder and he turned to grasp her hand to let her know he would be with her soon. He wanted to be sure that Beetee and the alliance were out of harm's way as far as possible in the arena.

Halley found Lyme next to her, by the door as she tried to make a non-descript exit, "Good luck. Give them hell."

As Halley passed, Lyme's arm brushed hers and she handed Three's woman a small knife she had pocketed from the Training Centre's gym. "You never know when you'll need it. You won't be able to blow up everything," she laughed as Halley began to make her way to Three's floor.

In her room, Halley changed into her disguise. She couldn't be seen armed and making an escape in the middle of the day whilst the Games were in play, and nobody suspected that anything was amiss. She was going to blend in with the colours and sparkles of the Capitol during Games season. She looked ridiculous by district standards. But if it got her to her first destination safely then so be it.

Once she had changed and was checking through the bag she had previously packed, Poppy arrived to say her private goodbye.

"Let's put some make-up on you," she said as soon as she caught sight of Halley.

"You'll need a wig too; you need to blend in."

"Already got one, bright blue and full of glitter."

"Subtle," Poppy laughed.

"I'll fit right in!"

Together they applied the make-up and tried to talk as if this might not be the final moments they spent together, as if Wiress, Blight, Mags, Claudia and Levi were not already dead.

Poppy placed her hands on Halley's shoulders once they had finished with the cosmetics, "Perfect," she whispered. "You can do this. We can do this. I believe in you. Three will be free in no time and you'll get your home back."

"You can do the same too," Halley replied. "It may take longer but if there is anyone with the determination to see it through, I know you can. To quote our friend from Twelve, stay alive, Poppy. Don't you go dying on me. I can't face being alone, even if we do all win."

"You won't be alone, Halley. Beetee will make it through this. Haymitch, despite his attitude, doesn't plan on going anywhere either, and neither do I. Linden too. We are getting out of this. So, stay alive, Halley. Be brave, fearless and do what you need to do. I believe in you. Pluto believes in you."

"Have you got everything you need? I presume you got one of these from Lyme on your way out," Poppy continued, gesturing to the knife that she too had been presented by Two's victor.

"Of course, I can't blow everything up!" Halley laughed as she and Poppy went through the bag she had packed, checking everything was present and correct.

"This is crazy, you know that, Halley?"

"You're one to talk, choosing to stay here until the end."

"But seriously, a peacekeeper transport through One and into an ambush in Three. Now with Aria too!"

"And aren't you about to do the same?"

Poppy shrugged and the pair dissolved into laughter as they were interrupted by three quick knocks on the door.

"Only me," Pluto announced.

Upon seeing Pluto, Poppy decided it was time for her to say her goodbyes and give the pair some final time together. She pulled Halley into a firm hug, squeezed her shoulders and looked her friend in the eyes, "We've got this. I'll see you when we've won."

She moved towards the door, but Pluto stopped her, "I have something for you. Both of you actually. Take this," he said, handing both Poppy and Halley a tiny capsule holding a single nightlock pill.

"The way out, if you need. Don't let yourself be captured. And there are these too," Pluto continued, pulling from his jacket two small pistols.

"Hide them somewhere, you never know when you'll need it. If we can't get our hands on those white guns, you'll need something," Pluto said, referring to the peacekeeper weapons he knew both women were reliant on finding.

He looked to Poppy, "I told Max I would. Just a little something to help you, it's the least I could do."

"Thank you," Poppy said earnestly, looking Pluto in the eye before turning to her friend, "Halley, thank you. For everything. Now go blow this whole thing to pieces!"

"Thank you too, for everything. Accepting me, putting up with my moments. We've had a good time. Now you go and do your thing. Keep those Sevens in check for us!" Halley said as Poppy left the room, tears in both of their eyes as they said goodbye, in the hope that they would see each other when everything was over.

It was soon Pluto's turn to pull Halley into his arms, "My girl, my brave, brilliant girl. After everything, we are about to do this. I love you; you know that. You have given me so much as I've got older and now, I trust you to carry the fire for us, for Three."

"There's still time," Halley offered. "Come with me."

"I'll only slow you down. Besides, it will look suspicious. Beetee is still in there and it's coming down to it. He has got to go through the plan and get on with it. There are only hours to go and you need to get out of here. That train won't wait for its stowaway!"

"I don't want you to die," Halley whispered.

"Be thankful that it's on my terms. How I want it to happen. I won't be captured, tortured or publicly executed. You know I'd rather this than any of that. I've lived a dignified life despite everything that has happened and it's how I choose to go. But you, my girl, aren't leaving this earth any time soon. You are going to have a life out there and I believe in you, with everything. Wiress did too and she went into that arena knowing you would have your chance. So, take it! Do whatever you need to do, for you, for our home. Go and win this, then we can finally be victors, not just survivors."

By now Halley was sobbing, trying not to ruin her make-up. Pluto soon realised and began carefully blotting away her tears, trying to leave her disguise in place.

"You need this," he offered, gesturing to the wig that was still lying on her bed.

Halley laughed at the sight of it and pulled it on, ensuring it was gripped firmly into place.

"How do I look?" she turned towards Pluto and laughed.

"Absolutely ridiculous. A total picture! But if it gets you clean away, it's all good," Pluto replied returning Halley's laughter.

"I think it's time my girl. You can do this. I have every confidence in you. You were the best thing to happen to the three of us in the Village, certainly, the best thing to ever happen to me. You knew how it all worked immediately, found your own route, and brought all of our work together. Go get what you deserve. I love you, Halley, don't ever forget that," Pluto said through tears of his own.

"Don't make me cry again, Pluto. I love you too. After it all happened, when I came home, you've been everything to me. I love you, I'll make sure we win this, for you."

Halley held Pluto's hands for a final time, kissed him on the cheek and left via the avox entrance in Three's living quarters. Pluto remained frozen, taking in the room Halley had left, remembering her presence, before making his way back to the Mentors' Centre to make his excuses for his young friend's departure. Making sure her cover remained intact was his final duty.

….

Gem returned to One's floor and found Luxor and Augustus ready to depart for dinner with some of their district's regular sponsors.

"Good," Gem announced as she made her presence known. "Need to keep up the image. Despite our losses, we remain ready for next year. We are on the lookout for another victory. You both know what to do."

Satin snorted, "I do not know why you're all bothering. It is not as if anyone will be interested in next year now that our best assets have died, completely giving up too. It was a poor showing."

"All the more reason to maintain our presence," Gem said sharply. "You know that Satin, and do not think that I don't know that this has upset you. I've known you longest."

It was a rare moment of understanding between One's first volunteer victor and her own victor, the two having grown increasingly distant over the years. But Gem knew what she was doing and wasn't about to be too harsh with her first victor before she made her own swift exit.

Satin looked on confused but sighed and decided she ought to do as Gem had suggested. She did know what she was doing with the sponsors and even though she was an older victor, with Gloss and Cashmere gone, she should step back up. So, she looked to Topaz to accompany her. She was still the lead voice in their Academy and therefore, she should be showing confidence in their future prospects.

"Oh okay, then. I will join you. There are worse people to spend time with right now," Topaz said, half laughing, half uncertain. She walked past Gem and nodded, "I've got this," she said, unsure who she was trying to reassure. Her victor had died, and she really wasn't sure how to react.

"I know you have, Topaz. I have not lost faith in you," Gem said.

"Aria?"

"I will look after her. Don't worry."

Gem ensured she looked busy until both Topaz and Satin had departed, going through lists of contacts, and targeting potential sponsors to meet all so she could keep up appearances. But as soon as they left, she began putting her plan into action. She needed to ensure that both she and Aria left the Capitol quickly.

So, she made her way into Aria's room, not bothering to knock and walking straight into where the younger woman lay crying.

"Pack your bags. We are leaving. Just the two of us. The others are out with the sponsors."

Aria did not question the older woman. She knew that Cashmere had entrusted Gem with her well-being and safety and that she should do as she had been told. She wiped her tears, collected the few possessions she had brought with her, packed her bag and went to meet Gem who was already prepared to leave.

"This way," Gem started, directing Aria out of the avox entrance. "We need to limit the number of people who see us. I do not want to be answering difficult questions. Something is about to happen, and we cannot be here when it does. I do not want to tip anybody off because what is about to happen must go ahead."

Aria carried on walking behind Gem, nodding along as the older woman spoke as they walked through the underground levels of the Training Centre that she was previously unaware of.

"I know I am being cryptic, but it is best you know as little as possible until we get home. I am not sure that even I know the full details. The others do not, that I'm certain of. They are too blind to see what is in front of them. I know you're not. But do not worry about them. If they are smart enough, they will figure it out and leave too. If not, at least they're loyal."

"Does this mean that we're not?" Aria asked.

"I told Lyme to inform Plutarch that you had taken ill and that it was best for you to recover at home."

"It's believable," Aria sighed. "They all think I am fragile anyway."

"The people who matter most know you are not. I know you're not. It is only a matter of time before allegiances are revealed anyway. I have done what I can for us both, for my family. But I have come to realise, it is time to do what is right."

Gem directed Aria out of the smallest side exit of the Training Centre and into a waiting car. Aria hesitated at getting into an unknown vehicle, but Gem seemed to know the driver and she trusted Gem. If they were to get home safely, Aria figured she would have to trust Gem blindly. She would not lead them both into a trap. She was too smart for that.

….

The plan was coming together. Beetee was putting the wheels into motion and Finnick and Johanna were playing their parts. The Twelves were still with them, admittedly with some hesitation on the girl's part. But the odds were in their favour.

Noah had taken the time to say his final goodbyes to Mags after Adan's death. He needed to vent, and he still felt as if Mags would be listening. She would be angry too. She adored Adan and he deserved so much more than the cards he was dealt.

Chloe and Coral silently made their way to the morgue upon Noah's return. Evening was approaching and they were due to return Mags' body to Four. She would not be left to sit in the Capitol whilst war waged. Four was calling her home and they would send her on her final journey.

They knew that everybody would be distracted by the unveiling of Beetee's plan. His explanation was as good as anything they could have created and helped tip the scales in their favour. Gamemakers were less likely to intervene when tributes with the capacity to do so had taken matters into their own hands and created conflict and anticipation of their own accord. They could hear the commentary as they left. Flickerman and Templesmith attempting, in vain, to explain Beetee's plan to the watching audience, anticipating the potential for Brutus and Enobaria to unknowingly walk into a trap and questioning whether Beetee's time with the alliance would be short-lived after the plan had been executed.

But both women were focused on what they needed to do. They walked via Four's floor so they could be seen on the cameras returning to their living quarters, stopped to collect the weapons that Lyme had previously handed them after her raid on the Training Centre's stores and once again used the avox entrance to find their way to the morgue.

The diener was waiting, expecting their arrival following Noah's departure. As such, Mags was ready and waiting for them. Adan's coffin was closed and out of view and District Four's woman was once again the focus as they prepared for her departure.

Chloe and Coral each took Mags' hands, by now warm and pale, as they said their final words, "It's time, Mags. It's happening. Beetee, Finn and Johanna are ready. The Twelves are with them. We're ready too, all of us. We love you, Mags. Always. For however long we have left, and as long as we can after that. We love you."

The coffin was closed, sealed and moved into the lift. The two women remained alongside Mags with the diener standing behind, waiting for the lift door to open. The journey seemed both long and short at the same time. It was dangerous. It was against the rules. But not as dangerous and rule-breaking as what they would embark on in just a matter of hours.

They breathed a collective sigh of relief as Fulvia Cardew emerged into view as the doors opened. She ushered them into a corner, the camera's blind spot, and kept them out of view as the hovercraft approached. This was not her first time evacuating deceased victors from the Capitol.

"Plutarch told me you would want to do this," the Capitol woman said. "The hovercraft is staying in Four. Both it and the pilots are at your home's disposal. They're loyal and willing to do whatever it takes. You can trust them with Mags."

As with the evacuation of Eight's victors, it was over in a matter of seconds. The hovercraft landed, the group rushed forward to load the coffin, the doors shut, and the hovercraft took off once more.

Chloe and Coral turned to watch it leave, taking Mags back home on her final journey. The two women held hands and leant into each other, taking a moment to pause before the plan commenced in earnest. It would be one of their final moments of stillness. Even though they were at risk on the Training Centre roof, the stakes would begin to rise as soon as they re-entered the Mentors' Centre. The plan had to be coordinated from their side too and there was the matter of the sponsorship funds to deal with.

Sensing it was time, Coral turned to Chloe, "Let's go," she said. "It's time and we're more than ready."

….

Poppy had followed Linden back to Seven's floor. Liev had just returned from the sponsors' hall, Sawyer was nowhere to be found and her partner was acting strangely, to her at least. Nobody knew his tells like she did.

"Just tell me, what in Panem is going on?"

"I can't. The least you know the better."

"Since when have we had secrets?" she hissed. "If this affects what we're about to do, then I deserve to know."

"If all goes well then nothing will be affected," Linden said, trying to reassure her.

"And if it doesn't? If I have to cover for you, let me know what I'm covering for. And you can't say that's not an option. I'll defend you to the hilt and you'd do the same for me. So, tell me."

Linden sighed and started pacing before dragging Poppy out of view of where he suspected the cameras to be positioned.

"Vespa," he said.

"That damn escort, what's she got to do with anything?"

"Nothing, not anymore, if we have anything to do with it."

"Who's we, exactly?"

"Sawyer and I. Liev knows, of course. Blight does, well did, too. His men are on board. We're meeting them."

"Meeting them for what? To silence her? Kill her?"

Linden moved in closer, right to Poppy's ear and whispered, "Blight's men will do it. Sawyer and I have to get her there. Then it's up to them and we'll be on our way back."

"If you're found? If someone connects it to you?"

"They won't. We won't even be with her when it happens. We get her to the party, mill around, find Johanna some last-minute sponsors, then suggest going our separate ways, split our efforts before meeting up at the next place."

"Where she is led to Blight's men."

"Exactly. Nothing for you to worry about."

"That doesn't mean I won't worry. And what if they go looking, find her body."

"We'll all be on our way out by then, guilty of countless other crimes by the time they find her. If they do somehow pin it on us, they'll just add it to the charges."

Poppy sighed and started laughing, partially with nerves and also at the truth in her partner's words.

"And what am I supposed to do whilst this all goes on?"

"You do whatever you were planning. Sit with Liev. Get yourself ready to leave. Spend time with Max. Leave it to me and I'll let you know when it's done."

"For Johanna?" Poppy asked.

"For Johanna," Linden confirmed. "Now pretend we never had this conversation and go back to Liev and Max."

Poppy pulled Linden in close, wrapping her arms tightly around him, "Be careful. Come back to me."

The pair went their separate ways and Poppy immediately returned to the Mentors' Centre, pulling her chair close to Liev's as Seven's man laughed, "He told you then?"

"Of course. There's no point in hiding anything from me. I'm on Johanna's side after all. Let's hope they get it done and get back in time."

"It's all about to begin," Liev confirmed.