Author's Note: We're moving closer to the end and the culmination of all the work our rebel victors have put in.
….
Surge
"It's going to happen," Plutarch started. He had convened an emergency meeting with Finnick, Halley and Poppy after it became clear the Capitol would descend into chaos.
"Thread is about to move. He has lost all patience with Elda. Elda tried another call to arms, an appeal to patriotism."
"But we know how that worked," Finnick added. "Not even my face could convince people to join the peacekeepers. I was worried I was going to have to join them myself!"
"You're 44, Finnick. That's too old for your first rotation," Poppy said.
"You always know how to bring me down!"
"Only being realistic. Thirty years as a victor tires you out!"
"Back to the agenda," Plutarch said pointedly. "The government has lost control. Every cabinet meeting has descended into chaos. I'm promising the earth to everyone to keep them on side."
"As long as you keep your head, Plutarch."
"I know. That's why I'm pushing funds into that damn satellite project. Everyone likes that, makes us look like we're powerful even though we can't even keep our own house in check. I've had to promise an expansion of muttation defences too, but I can give you all the details nearer the time, so you have the most up-to-date knowledge."
"We're on?" Halley asked.
"Definitely. Thread is going to move against Elda. Expect an attempt on the President's life before the next Games. Thread has the backing of the entire defence force and the peacekeeping leaders. The economists of the Cabinet are on his side too. They keep seeing us lose numbers and productivity decline, so they'll support a regime change."
"So expect him to take charge too. That's what you're saying."
"Yes. That will be a problem. Thread hates the districts. He's not naïve either. You haven't pulled the wool over his eyes like you have Elda. Elda is content to ignore you. Thread knows how useful moving in the shadows is. There'll be trouble if he gets in that office."
"What do we do?"
"I'm asking your permission," Plutarch replied.
Finnick laughed, "Oh Mags would love this. A Capitol asking us district folk permission."
"It's not funny."
"It might not be to you, Heavensbee, but it's sure novel to us. What do you want our permission for? For you to install yourself as President."
"I would not be so crass, Finnick. I had hoped you would think better of me by now. If I did that, we would be no better than the rest. Telling everyone we're in charge now and you better like it."
"Get to the point, Plutarch," Halley said.
"I'm asking your permission to move against Thread."
Finnick laughed again, "This gets even better. Asking us to agree to the assassination of a would-be President."
"I didn't think you would want the Capitol to decide without you. I promised Mags and I promised Chloe."
"Thank you, Heavensbee," Poppy said. "We wouldn't want you making this decision alone, it involves us. Do you have any other support? You can't be suggesting this alone?"
"The people of the Capitol do not like Thread. His presidency would do nothing to quell the protests. Other cabinet members can see that. I would let them take the lead. District Affairs, Agriculture, Transport, Food. They all know what a disaster Thread would be."
"So, Thread dies and then what?"
"Those ministries fight among themselves for the presidency."
"And we cause carnage to upset their battle."
"Exactly."
"We're effectively at war from the moment we agree this?"
"Perhaps unofficially at first, but yes. That would soon become clear."
"If we don't?" Poppy asked.
"Then Thread cracks down on the districts. Higher quotas, peacekeeper conscripts straight into your homes. Potentially conscription of eligible school leavers in the districts themselves."
"He'd turn us against each other."
"Yes. And target you," Heavensbee replied. "He knows you're dangerous. He knows Three and Four are currently beyond control and I don't doubt he would move to change that immediately. Your men would be no good to you then."
"I know where my mind is, Finn," Halley said.
"Mine too."
"Agreed," Poppy echoed.
"But this could trigger the order on Twelve. There would be immediate effects in Eight and Eleven too, especially if someone from Thread's ilk got hold of power."
"So we ask Peeta," Halley said. "We can't run the risk of sacrificing Haymitch, Katniss, Peeta and their people and leave them in the dark."
"How long do we have?" Finnick asked.
"I need an answer before the week is out. Thread is planning his first move."
"I'll get contact fastest," Poppy said. "Could get Calico on the same call for good measure."
"Do it," Finnick confirmed.
"I'll get word to the Goldsmiths in One. They're running the show there. Lyme would be furious if we didn't let her know."
"I'll call her," Finnick said.
"I already know the Sevens will be on board, but Linden is second in command. He would need to ask their leader."
"Ten and Eleven?" Halley asked.
"If we can get word without risking ourselves. I think we know where the Elevens would stand. Maria would have approved, Charo and Adan know that. They'll ask their leader, but they follow Maria's example even without her."
"What about Five and Nine?"
"They can't get it together. Too much of a risk."
"We don't have time for a round table," Plutarch added.
"We know—prioritise Twelve's say-so. One and Two wouldn't hurt," Finnick confirmed. "We can start this, so let's get it right."
….
One's victors were distracted at the crucial moment. Satin had had a fall, broken her femur and was looking at surgery and an extensive hospital stay. That was if she made it at all. She was angry and not shy of letting everyone know. Topaz and Luxor shouldered the burden of the most regular visits and listening to her many complaints, but Gem ensured she attended too.
Gem started to feel like she was fading and growing weaker so she used her time at home and at Satin's side to write notes to those she would be leaving behind. She wrote to her children, telling them of her continued pride in them and congratulating them for turning out so well given the environment they were raised in. Each grandchild received a letter, as did her great-granddaughter. She hoped she could impart some wisdom from the ninety-five years of her remarkable life.
She had learnt so much and hoped to share her knowledge with someone who might listen. She wrote of the importance of always knowing their roots. No matter what her riches had brought them, their origins were in the mines of District One, in the forgotten and often impoverished communities that worked the hardest and received the least. Gem wanted them to learn from her failings so she told them about the limits of self-interest and how doing what was right should prevail. They were from District One and should be proud of that.
Honesty, bravery, discipline and loyalty brought her through her earliest years. They were values she wanted to instil in her family as she left them behind.
Gem had written to the other victors, regardless of whether they would listen to her for one final time. Satin had already received her letter. Gem did not know which of them would die first. Gem found no pleasure in the thought that she could outlive her first victor. She did not want to outlive another victor at all. She had no idea why she had managed ninety-five years when so many of the others never got the chance.
Satin read her note out loud when Gem sat alongside her. She huffed, rolled her eyes and told Gem she would consider it. Given Satin's attitude to Gem's authority, the older victor considered that a win. Gem had told her to find acceptance in her life, embrace the time she had been afforded and give herself some grace as time moved on. It had brought Gem peace as her looks and physicality faded and she hoped Satin would finally feel at ease.
Topaz and Luxor's notes were also written. Gem had passed them to Topaz on the instruction that they were not to read them until she had died. The contents of those notes were not up for discussion. Gem tried to impart some courage onto Topaz. She was increasingly involved in One's rebel cause but would have to take the next steps alone. Gem implored Luxor to open his eyes and listen to those around him, not just the words he wanted to hear.
Augustus received the same message as Luxor, except Gem was even more insistent. She hated that a young victor was so blinkered and misguided, and she saw the urgency in trying to correct that. Gem acknowledged that it may be futile, but if she could provide Gus with something to think about, she had done the best she could.
Gloss had read his letter. Gem wanted time to discuss its contents before it would be too late. She tried to impart every piece of knowledge about the rebels and how to target the Capitol that she had. There were warnings about matters closer to home too. Luxor was still following him, and Cashmere had seen Ermine talking to him in quiet corners. Gloss could not become complacent and should expect betrayal from his mentor and no loyalty at all from his former wife. Gem told him where she thought Topaz's best efforts were placed and how he and Cashmere should continue to uplift and encourage Aria. She had found her stride and Gem did not want her confidence and conviction to fade without her.
Gem told Cashmere to take the final leap, away from the sidelines. The likely rebel victory would serve her daughter's best interests and Cashmere should align herself accordingly. Her husband was in deep, and Cashmere should take her lead from him, her brother and Finnick.
She told Theodore to take the initiative and approach Gloss about extending his involvement in the rebel cause. He too had come good and realised what the best of his family were working towards, and Gem wanted Gloss to encourage that. She just knew it had to come from Theodore first. Gloss did not want to be seen endangering a younger victor without cause.
Amethyst received the same lessons as Gem's younger relatives. They had not spent much time together, but Gem wanted Amethyst to look beyond herself and realise what was happening around her. Gem saw her younger self in Amethyst because of her initial desire to serve herself. She wanted Amethyst to find her path as she had done and could only hope she would succeed.
Gem had spent the most time with Aria in her older years. The younger victor needed support and when Cashmere and Gloss struggled, Gem stepped up. Her efforts had seen Aria find her way and begin to thrive and when Cashmere allied herself with the rebels, Gem knew that everything would work out. Aria would always need reassurance and Gem hoped to give her that in her final words.
The world around Gem was flying past as she slowed further. Satin's world had ground to a halt as she waited in hospital in the hope her body would recover. It was not how either victor envisaged their time ending. Years ago, Gem thought she would end her days in the glory of a victorious rebellion. But then their efforts collapsed. She lived through a rebuild and revival and would now miss the glory.
Satin had no such concerns. She wanted to live her days young and reinvent her prime but that was futile and now she found herself despondent. Time had taken away her youth and she had failed to come to terms with it. Her time was drawing to a close and now her final days had been taken from her too.
….
Bram had confided in Cameron's mother. He couldn't manage the developing situation with his parents alone. She was immediately worried and alarmed that she had not noticed. But they barely had time to plan or to confirm their suspicions with Poppy herself as chaos soon unfolded.
He was talking to Cameron's mother about how they should address his parents when two peacekeepers walked into the Victors' Village unannounced and knocked sharply on Poppy's door. Cameron was with Poppy, so his mother was increasingly concerned.
They heard the words "forbidden travel between the districts" and immediately panicked. One of the peacekeepers drew his gun and Bram shrieked in horror. Cameron's mother grabbed the gun she had hidden under the kitchen table and went to the door.
….
"Shit!" Poppy hissed.
"How did they figure that out?"
"No idea. But I've been exposed, and we've got to deal with this."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Somehow, I don't think they're in a talking mood. Arm yourself."
Poppy immediately turned to one of her kitchen cabinets and drew out a gun. Cameron searched under the table, knowing that was where his mother's gun was hidden but found nothing.
Poppy laughed, "Now I know where you keep yours."
"Tell me you have another one."
"Cupboard above the fridge. You never know who else will find themselves trapped with you."
"We've got this, Poppy."
"We've got no other choice, Cameron."
Cameron crawled from behind the door to try to see through the window, "I think there's two of them."
"They won't come here alone. We say two but don't be surprised to see a third."
"Okay, get behind the door outside."
"No. I'll take the front. This is on me."
"I'm bigger than you, Poppy."
"I've shot more peacekeepers than you."
Guns fired and the lock on Poppy's front door had been blown. Two peacekeepers forced entry. Cameron looked around him to find Poppy's home had been set up defensively. He managed to smile to himself briefly before pushing Poppy back when he saw her trying to take his place.
Poppy retreated to the pantry door and waited. It was too late to argue with Cameron now. They could see two peacekeepers entering the living room through the mirrors positioned conveniently throughout the ground floor before approaching the kitchen. Cameron turned and nodded towards Poppy who whispered their countdown.
Before the peacekeepers could realise where the victors were standing, Poppy shot the first in the hand, disarming him and causing him to clutch his wrist where the bullet had entered. As he doubled over in pain, the side of his neck where the armour offered the least protection was exposed. Cameron shot him until he fell to the ground and stopped moving.
Poppy had gone straight for the remaining peacekeeper. Unfortunately, this peacekeeper was a better shot and a bullet managed to graze Poppy's shoulder before she could return fire. Cameron aimed his gun straight at the peacekeeper's neck before he heard a woman scream.
His mother appeared and shot the peacekeeper in the back of the neck. She shot them again once they were on the ground before looking to Poppy and Cameron to confirm there were no more intruders.
A shellshocked Bram cautiously emerged into the kitchen and started to cry, apologising to Poppy and Cameron for what had happened.
"Bram thinks his parents caused this. He's just figured out they have been spying on you, Poppy," Cameron's mother started. "He hasn't known for long and we were just figuring out how to tell you and deal with whoever they might be reporting to."
Cameron drove at Bram in anger, but Poppy grabbed him and held him back, "This is not Bram's fault."
She looked to her young victor, "How long have you known?"
"I suspected but didn't know until I overheard them. I haven't seen them report to anyone. I tried to find out, I really did. I'm so sorry."
"It's happened, Bram. No need to apologise further."
"I should have noticed something was up," Cameron's mother continued.
"I should have too," Poppy said. "But now we've got to deal with this mess."
They found Bram's family outside, startled by the sounds of gunfire. It did not take long for Cameron to haul them inside Poppy's house in anger. Poppy had removed the peacekeepers' helmets and told Cameron to lead Bram's parents to where they lay dead on the floor.
"Is this who you were reporting to?"
There was no answer, so Cameron raised his gun once more, "Answer her!" he shouted.
Bram's mother nodded in horror.
"Is there anyone else you've spoken to?"
She shook her head.
"Nobody at all?" Poppy asked. "Because I will find out."
Bram's mother shook her head once more.
"If I find out there is anyone else, I won't hesitate," she said, looking at the gun in her hands.
"We were trying to protect our family, our boy," she said, looking at Bram.
"I thought as much. But if anyone approaches you again or you are supposed to report to anybody else, you tell me. Nobody else. We can deal with it. We are the best people to protect Bram. We will finish this conversation later once we've cleaned up."
With that, Bram took Poppy aside and dealt with the scrape on her shoulder. Cameron and his mother removed the peacekeepers' uniforms, to keep for their own use, and set about hiding the bodies until they could be disposed of. They worked quickly in case more peacekeepers descended on the Village and Poppy sat in silence, figuring out how best to deal with the problem on her doorstep.
….
"It's about to happen," Peeta started. "Thread has had enough. The peacekeeper shortage is dire. The Capitol is exposed. He's going to move on Elda."
Haymitch and Katniss both winced.
"Thread is a danger to the districts. Our man in the Capitol says he has the support of numerous Cabinet members, including District Affairs, to move on Thread after Elda is out of the way. District leadership is inclined to support it. He even asked their permission."
"The Capitol, asking permission," Haymitch laughed.
"I thought the same. Leadership do not want to act without consulting Twelve. If anyone discovers the link to the districts, they could target us. The order on Twelve has never been rescinded."
"So, it's your decision to make. Big decision, boy."
"That's why it's not mine to make alone. I'm consulting you all," Peeta said, looking at those sitting alongside him. They were the people he trusted the most. Katniss, Haymitch, Gale, his colleague Jonah Ashton from the mines, Madge, and Delly Cartwright, all now trusted rebel leaders.
"If we approve, we'll need the evacuation plan ready. We need to make people aware," Katniss said. "This could cause panic and draw attention to us at a time when we really won't want it."
"We'll need to act quickly. As soon as Thread makes his move, we need to be ready to leave at a moment's notice. We'll need to firm up evacuation points," Gale said. "We can organise people down the mines. They can tell their families."
The conversation continued over the plans to prepare Twelve for an act of war from the Capitol and when the evacuation order should be given. They discussed notifying their neighbouring districts, the involvement of the teachers in the school in spreading information and what Madge could do from her father's Mayoral office.
Eventually, Haymitch started laughing to himself, and the others stopped talking, "I take it we're approving? Nobody has actually mentioned that. We've dived in on dealing with the repercussions when the decision is in our hands. This is different for Twelve, being consulted and everything."
"Haymitch is right," Peeta echoed. "We do need to think about it. Thread being out of the way is appealing but we need to think about the timing and who could be next. Chances are that the whole country will end up at war."
….
The news that both Gem and Satin had died reached Finnick, Halley and Poppy the day they were due to speak to Plutarch Heavensbee. Gem had died in her sleep and Satin just days later in the hospital, unable to recover from the surgery following her fall.
There was a sadness that Gem was not about to witness what would soon happen. She had played such a crucial part in readying One that they wanted her to have the satisfaction of the fruits of her labour. Rebellion would have made Satin angry and for all the times she had angered them, most of the victors wanted their revenge. But it was not meant to be.
Still, Gem would not want them to dwell on her passing. Satin would, but they much preferred Gem and her ways, so they carried on.
"Do you have an answer?" Plutarch asked.
"Yes," Finnick replied.
"You have an answer, or you're saying yes?"
"Both. You have our approval. When the time is right, do it, go for Thread."
"Understood. Loud and clear," Plutarch replied, unable to hide the relief in his voice. "Thread will move soon but Elda is growing suspicious. It might take a few attempts."
"Surely Elda will get rid of Thread if he notices?"
"He doesn't have a replacement. He knows the defence lobby will turn on him if he does. He loses either way. Either Thread gets him or one of his lackeys does. It doesn't matter whether or not he targets Thread, he won't be in a job, or alive, by the end of the Games."
"That's not immediate. We have Twelve on tenterhooks."
"I'm sure the boy can handle it."
"He's hardly a boy now," Finnick chided.
"Then he can definitely manage it. It gives them more time to prepare. But don't let anyone become complacent. We can enjoy Thread and Elda moving around each other until one ends up dead but we can't lose focus."
"We know. This is not the time to be discovered."
Poppy winced, "I'm at my wits end with my situation."
"Ah, yes, I had been briefed on your little problem in the Village," Heavensbee said.
"Short of tying the family in the basement, I've done what I can."
"I'd have just tied them in the basement," Halley said.
"It's Bram's family. I can't do that!"
"Yes, you can."
"Would you do the same to Stella or Orion's family?"
"They wouldn't spy on me and report to the peacekeepers."
"But if they did?"
"I probably would."
Poppy sighed, "I'm not you."
"Bram's your boy," Finnick replied. "Your soft spot."
"Perhaps. But I think they're contained, and I can trust Bram."
"You sure of that?"
"Bram has proven his loyalty. Cameron has him in check too. The parents I've dealt with."
"What did you do?"
"Threatened to shoot their daughter."
"Would you follow through with that?"
"I'd just shoot them instead. They've had their chance and I've been lenient once."
"Don't let that be your undoing, Poppy," Plutarch said.
"I won't. Besides, it's too risky to leave Six now. I don't know what else they could stick on me at the minute."
"I can think of a few things," Finnick laughed.
"But openly, I speak to the morphling dealers, and the peacekeepers let me because they know I do a better job than them. I put money into local businesses and have a wide network, hardly a crime."
"Just be careful," Halley said.
"You aren't one for caution."
"I'm not being spied on, or rather, I know who is spying on me and have shut them up."
"Then hopefully, we're equal."
"Back to the Capitol," Plutarch said.
"Yes, because you can't not be the centre of attention for five minutes!" Finnick joked.
"Should I expect any pushback or opposition?"
"No. You have a resounding yes from us. One and Seven too. Enobaria wants to do the job for you. Lyme thinks it's the right move. There's anger in Two at the Defence Ministry now. They've managed to switch the angle. Two cares about its people but the Capitol doesn't. It's worked well."
"I spoke to Calico," Poppy started. "You don't need to imagine how Eight responded. Twelve are preparing but are in favour all the same. Peeta spoke to Eleven and they're all in. Ten thought about it but came through."
"Good. Everyone who was asked," Plutarch said. "Excellent. Ten districts united. If this doesn't push Nine and Five into action, I don't know what will."
"I've heard from Thirteen too. They're watching. I think we have them if this works. Two leaders down and there will be chaos."
"That they want to take advantage of," Finnick said.
"Of course," Poppy agreed. "But we can work around them. I can have them where we need them. Play along and then switch. Just tell me when."
"As long as this ends with the Capitol on its knees and Thirteen knowing they're no more or less than the rest of us."
"We've got this far. It will do. We're winning. What Mags, Pluto and the rest wanted, we're making it happen."