章 102: We're just surviving

"[The tunnels in District 12 have been completed, and a planned movement is expected to begin the rebellion against the Capitol!]"

"[As planned, contact with District 13 is expected to be made after the rebellion to receive evacuation support, weaponry, and a strategic area for movement!]"

"[It is expected to mobilize the few trained men to District 10 to initiate a strategic resistance point, invade the hovercraft systems for use in the war!]"

"How many hovercrafts can you intercept?" Jacob asked as he walked towards the crowded square where the District 2 residents were gathered.

"[Master, having full control of communications from the ten interconnected districts, from 3 to 12, and being prepared to intercept any vital information from the enemy, establishing stable communication with the residents of District 12, and keeping a record of each allied inhabitant, it is expected that I can intercept up to 10 hovercrafts!]"

Considering that District 12 and all the others lacked weaponry, Jacob planned for the men he had trained to launch a direct attack against the peacekeepers. By the time the Capitol sent hovercrafts to support their soldiers, Jacob's intelligent assistant would take over their weapon and control systems.

Consequently, the children and women would be sent to the forest through the established tunnels within minutes. But before that, an agreement would be reached with the hidden residents of District 13, as their weaponry would be beneficial for the war that Jacob would lead.

"Use the traitors, infiltrate their nuclear systems, and seize their weaponry to defeat the Capitol..." Jacob murmured with a cold gaze.

Yes, no one but Jacob knew that District 13 was not destroyed but hidden underground, and they were the ones who led the second rebellion.

District 13 is one of the districts of Panem. It was believed to have been destroyed by the Capitol during the Dark Days. It is said to be uninhabitable, with the ruins still smoldering from the toxic bombs that fell on the district. However, the district continues to operate in secrecy underground, with an agreement with the Capitol to remain independent and, in return, not initiate a nuclear war with Panem. Its industry was graphite mining and nuclear technology. This is why the Capitol agreed to leave them alone.

District 13 was the one that started the Dark Days war, but they were also the ones who abandoned it, leaving all the other districts to their fate. They were the unknown traitors who surrendered after realizing that winning would be nearly impossible.

For Jacob, District 13 is merely a tool to fuel the upcoming war. With his intelligent assistant, gaining control over the Capitol and District 13's nuclear capabilities could become easy, but Jacob only aimed to seize District 13's arsenal to prevent nuclear destruction from both sides during the course of the war.

By the time everything starts in District 12, those who can continue fighting will reach District 11 and attack the areas that cannot be destroyed by the inhabitants there, and once control is established over District 11, District 8 will initiate a rebellion after the supporting hovercrafts arrive to evacuate their people.

"Dear residents of District 2!"

"District 2 is known for its skill and prowess in battles. Its inhabitants are trained from an early age to be strong and resilient warriors. The blood of the brave runs through their veins, evident in every confrontation they engage in within the arena."

"Today, I want to honor Cato and Clove, the formidable adversaries I faced in the Games. Their courage and skill were unmatched, and their fight against me was fair and honorable. In those moments of intensity and danger, we could witness the greatness of the warriors that District 2 produces."

"Victory is not always measured in terms of surviving until the end. True victory lies in the courage and determination we show, in how we face our fears and fight for what we believe in. Cato and Clove, just like Katniss and I, deserve the respect and admiration of all."

"Losing in such a manner, in a fair and honorable fight, is an act of incomparable bravery. It is recognizing that there is something more important than our own survival: principles, loyalty, and the worthiness of our actions."

While the speeches written by Jacob were being read by him, something extraordinary began to happen in certain places. For example, in District 12, there was no mention of rebellion or resistance, and the cases of disobedience in District 11 started to decrease.

But this was just the calm before the storm, as Jacob knew since he was the leader of this rebellion.

By the time they reached the Capitol, they were increasingly weary. They made endless appearances before adoring crowds. There is no danger of an uprising here among the privileged, among those whose names are never entered into the reaping balls, those whose children never die for supposed crimes committed generations ago.

In the Capitol, they don't need to convince anyone of their love, but they are still more affectionate as they thought of converging with those they couldn't during the games.

Whatever they do seems too little, too late. Back in their rooms in the Training Center, Katniss suggested the public proposal of marriage. Jacob agrees to do it, but after that, he goes to his room to listen to reports on communication between the districts.

"I thought he wanted it, seems not satisfied," murmurs Katniss as she sees Jacob withdraw.

"Not like that," says Haymitch. "Maybe at some point in his life, he would have wanted it to be real."

That night, on the stage in front of the Training Center, we stumbled through as they put their answers to a list of questions. Caesar Flickerman, in his brilliant midnight blue suit, his hair, eyelids, and lips still tinted pastel blue, flawlessly guides us through the interview. When asked about the future, Jacob gets down on one knee, opens his heart, and begs Katniss to marry him. She, of course, accepts. Caesar is beside himself, the Capitol audience is ecstatic, shots of crowds throughout Panem show a country gone mad with happiness.

President Snow himself pays them a surprise visit to congratulate them. First, he shakes Jacob's hand and gives him an approving pat on the shoulder, whispering that he did what he could. Then he embraces Katniss, giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Did I do it? Was it enough? Was giving up everything for you, playing the game, promising to marry Jacob, enough? In response, President Snow shakes his head almost imperceptibly.

While Jacob by her side seemed indifferent.