Chương 156: Brutus' Decision

The sky was covered with dark storm clouds, foreshadowing the approaching storm. Thunder rumbled loudly, shaking the foundations of nearby buildings, while flashes of lightning briefly illuminated the landscape. Rain began to fall in a light but steady drizzle, wetting the ground and soaking the streets.

Amidst this ominous scene, hundreds of figures walked the deserted streets of District 2, all of them wearing full suits that covered every part of their bodies. Raindrops fell in silence, mingling with the scent of wet earth and humidity in the air. Each lightning flash briefly illuminated the scene, revealing glimpses of hooded figures.

"I've got your back, Jacob." Said Katniss as she raised her bow and covered Jacob's rear, her gaze scanning every residence in District 2 with vigilance as they all moved through the streets.

"[The defense systems have been disabled, the hovercrafts have been intercepted, and communications have been cut off!]"

Jacob, who received this message, ignored everything else and continued forward. With his rifle raised, he received support from his AI assistant regarding the surroundings and enemy positions.

"All clear, it seems like everyone is in the military base near the south!" Jacob informed those following him.

Boggs, behind Katniss, was sweating cold, knowing that this place housed one of the most important military bases for the Capitol since it contained the majority of the hovercrafts.

To think they could take this place without directly destroying District 2's base was wishful thinking, but Jacob was not a man who liked to dream because everything he set out to do, he achieved.

"Are all of you rebels from the districts?" At that moment, an old and worn voice was heard from the side. Jacob had already received the alert, so he wasn't surprised, but the others were about to pull the trigger when suddenly he took a step forward and stopped them.

"You're right, what are you doing out here?" Jacob put his rifle on his back and knelt on one knee in front of the old man, waiting for his words.

"In the dark days, my parents fought against the Capitol, and we were all driven by District 13... They seized a significant part of the Capitol's nuclear arsenal and attacked the city. Understanding that the Capitol still possessed its separate nuclear arsenal in the west, we were abandoned..."

"With the complete loss of support from the armed forces of District 13, the remaining districts could not hope to resist the Capitol's forces any longer. In this final phase of the war, the Dark Days, the Capitol quickly overpowered all rebel resistance in Panem as the rebellion collapsed under the numerical and armament superiority of the Capitol. One by one, the remaining districts were finally pacified until they were all brought under the firm control of the Capitol."

The old man's eyes showed unprecedented knowledge, and everyone who heard his words dared not speak. Jacob, who looked him in the eyes, said, "I am aware of the history, but now things are different. I, all of us, are willing to fight even if it costs our lives."

"Even if you die?" The old man smiled as if he had heard a joke and said, "Well, I guess there's no other choice... You have inspired many in District 2 in one way or another. Those closely matched battles you had with the professionals in your early games filled us with an indescribable feeling, and Brutus' speech was unmatched."

Jacob, standing up, took his weapon and asked the old man, "So, is District 2 with the uprising or against it?"

"No one, no matter how great they may be, likes being shackled. District 2 is with the uprising..." murmured the old man.

Upon hearing those words, Jacob nodded and motioned for everyone to continue walking towards the military base not far from their position.

"Did he tell the truth?" Katniss was secretly happy, but she didn't know if those words were true.

Jacob, who walked ahead, muttered, "It may be true, but the Peacekeepers are still enemies. I can't afford to trust them even in my situation."

In a few minutes, they all reached the base and spread out around it to take positions that could give them a significant advantage against their enemies.

Brutus, who was in front, said, "I'll take care of it. They're just recruits, so they might change their minds..."

"That's too dangerous. You can't go head-on." Jacob refused Brutus' words and intentions. However, this man's words made him let him go forward: "Those people are like us, they're scared and fighting simply to survive."

"Fine, go then." Jacob didn't interfere with Brutus' wishes, regardless of the outcome.

As Brutus advanced, Jacob communicated with his AI assistant to prepare attacks on special points where there were advanced firing positions.

"They're surrounded. Anyone with a weapon in their hands will be eliminated, but if they drop their weapons and surrender, all of you will be spared." Brutus' words made everyone look at each other.

"We won't do it, you'll kill us like you did with the other districts!"

"Don't worry, I can assure you that we are very reasonable." Brutus said, but at that moment, he saw a figure aiming a weapon at him, and in that precise moment, his instincts screamed at him to flee, but it was too late.

Bang! Bang!

Two shots were heard from an angle that no one had paid attention to, and when they saw Brutus fall to the ground, there was a somber silence.

"No, I didn't want to do it, but they were going to kill us." Said a Peacekeeper who was being watched by his comrades.

At the moment when everyone was about to surrender, a series of chained screams were heard, and everyone opened fire on the Peacekeepers.

"Katniss, cover me and remove Brutus from that place!" Jacob said with a cold expression.

"I've got you covered!" Katniss advanced with her bow raised and shot an arrow towards the base's entrance.

Boom!

A powerful explosion was heard, followed by numerous explosions from the hovercrafts controlled by Jacob's AI assistant.

Brutus, who looked at the silence with raindrops staining his face, smiled slightly, and his vision slowly blurred. He had done what he could for his district; the results depended on what would happen next.