givcnup:
PLUTARCH & SILVER.
It’s not necessarily a surprise to be suddenly asked to follow someone they’ve never seen before, especially just after the moment shown with Zero and the others before the broadcast cut to the remaining tribute threat. Perhaps they should be more concerned than they are, the possibility that they’re being taken again, but this time with much less ceremony high, considering what Zero is trying to do, what they helped him prepare to do, but there’s very little at this point that they think would send them into a panic about their own safety, already having accepted the likelihood of their fate. It’s simply a pleasant surprise that instead they’re led to an enormous, unfamiliar room, with Plutarch and Griffin waiting.
And he launches into it immediately, their mind already starting to race with plans, how to divide things between the two of them to make certain they gather everyone who needs to get out, what they can to at this last second to put Zero in the best position to make it out once the Capitol starts throwing more at them all. There’s no time for a sense of relief, hearing at last that things are indeed set up right to do what Plutarch had said, no time, either, to linger on the odd feeling of knowing this is it, a real chance to escape, the complicated feelings of potential freedom, a massive amount of danger, and leaving any semblance of the familiar behind.
There are dozens of logistical questions running through their mind about how this is going to work, and what will happen if they make it as far as Thirteen, not to mention the consequences of it all, but for once they don’t think that’s the important thing to focus on when time is so short and they’re all going to have to be ready to fight in an entirely new way to make it out once the Capitol realizes they’re doing the same as the tributes in the Arena.
“How can we help them have the best chance before we’re out of range? And what do we need to do out here to prepare besides gather the proverbial troops? It won’t be possible to get so many people here with Peacekeeper interference, and I haven’t precisely been spending my time trying to create makeshift weapons with six fingers,” Silver says, no need to beat around the bush clearly. That does have another thought dawning on them, though, one that sends an unpleasant chill of worry through them. Choosing who goes and stays is a little too much like choosing who lives or dies.
“I can’t imagine you have infinite space on whatever transport you’ve planned, how many others are there room for?
• • •
NO TIME TO ask questions even as Plutarch mentions Fava, with Silver swimming right into view at that exact moment. Griffin, mouth still open but unable to speak, has no choice but to listen as Plutarch does a rundown of everything that’s meant to happen in the next few hours, one bullet point and reminder after another, and even once he’s finished, it’s Silver that’s the first to ask. Griffin shuts his mouth, then, knowing that despite their differences, he and they are of the same mind when it comes to Plutarch, to all these plans being made around them without their full, express knowledge.
And of course Ostro doesn’t disappoint, immediately thinking to ask about how they’re meant to be supporting the ones left in the Arena, people whose safety remain incredibly integral to the ones they’re meant to be getting out of this tower, from a distance, a point of blindness. He won’t lie, it makes him uncomfortable knowing they won’t be seeing the end of it, and it makes him worry over how difficult it might be to get people out when they would clearly want to know what happens to their loved ones first, but he understands that it’s necessary to move now. They mention Peacekeeper interference too, another major factor, as well as this escape mission’s transport capacity. Griffin couldn’t have said it better himself.
“Well. There. They said it,” he says, one arm sweeping out. “Would like to know all that too.”
He’s not as much of a thinker as Silver is, and where they often are able to choose their words well, Griffin prefers to talk through what’s going on in his head. “Additionally,” he goes on to say, letting his own stream of consciousness inform his mouth all the things it wants to. “I’m thinking about how the hell we’re meant to get a whole bunch of people here exactly. I would guess six hours is enough, we’re all in one Tower after all, we’ll just have to pass it along separate lines of communication, but it’s the Peacekeepers I’m worried about the most. Large groups of people are going to attract their attention, but a few people at a time would take too long too…”
All in all, he supposes it could be summed up in one very important question. “Who else can we trust?” he says, giving Plutarch a hard look. “I get that you were big on keeping direct involvement secret, but at this point, we need to know if there are others from the Capitol that are in on the cause too, people we can trust to help usher in others and pass the message along. Peacekeepers might be less alert or suspicious around their ilk; they could be convinced. If it’s all just Victors and friends on the move, we’re at risk of being stopped and captured, but if there were others around to blur the line…” It occurs to him that there could be no others, but how would that have worked? How could Plutarch have kept it going this whole time if there weren’t others in the Capitol like him? There have to be more. “So do we have other friends in high places?”
--
Coin had expressed concern over who Plutarch picked to help bring this all to fruition. But he stood up for them. He spoke on their behalf and he knew he’d made the right choice. As he stands there before the two of them, and they rattle off their questions, he’s all the more confident that this is right. They were the right choice. They will make this work.
He doesn’t let them see the way his hands are shaking, fingers tucked into his arms as they’re crossed over his chest. He hums and nods along to their fair questions, and begins to answer after they have finished.
“Well, there will come a point when we can’t help them anymore. You’re going to have to juggle getting your friends here, and getting the last of your sponsors. I know it’s not ideal, and it’s not going to be easy, but there’s going to have to be an element of faith that those in there, had taken their training and planning very seriously.” And that some just wont make it, he thinks to add but refrains. They’re all fragile from the loves ones they’ve all lost. Including himself.
He looks down to the ground for the moment, wishing that he could be more help to Silver’s next question. “That’s just going to have to be what you take into account. Unfortunately, many of you have raised the interest of the Capitol, some might have to offer as distractions.” Which leaves the unsaid statement he lays out there. Some wont be able to come with. “Which I hope you both understand, cannot be you two. We need you here, not to play the martyr.” He gives them both a firm look before he pushes himself off the table and reaches into his inside breast pocket, pulling out a pen and a small pad of paper.
“We can fit about twenty in aircraft, and then take whomever is in the arena. Some have left this morning, helping with preparations once we arrive in Thirteen.” He’s keeping his eyes down on the pad, scribbling names. “I’m going to give this to you. These people are not rebels but they are rather sympathetic. You’ll likely get more sponsors from them. Find Crane, Aurelia and I spent a lot of time with her over the years and she’s my right hand. Emerald and Coco are also a help. Unfortunately we’ve lost a lot of our help. We’re operating on a much smaller force now.” His jaw tenses, and he tears out the sheet, handing it to Silver.
He walks between the two of them, in the direction of the door. “There’s the way you got here, there’s also a hallway through the kitchen that leads to that door. If you all come this way, it’ll be a giveaway.” He gestures to a second door adjacent to the first. When she turns back around, he looks at the two of them, trying to give a smile. “I trust both of you. I hope you know that I have always believed you both were the best option for this, because I knew you would do everything for the people you love.” His hand wraps around the door, and he nods. “Good luck.” And then, he’s gone.
The clock begins to tick.
END.













