Mocking Jay

15
The implications of what Gale is suggesting settle quietly around the room. You can see the reaction
playing out on people's faces. The expressions range from pleasure to distress, from sorrow to satisfaction.
"The majority of the workers are citizens from Two," says Beetee neutrally.
"So what?" says Gale. "We'll never be able to trust them again."
"They should at least have a chance to surrender," says Lyme.
"Well, that's a luxury we weren't given when they fire-bombed Twelve, but you're all so much cozier with the
Capitol here," says Gale. By the look on Lyme's face, I think she might shoot him, or at least take a swing. She'd
probably have the upper hand, too, with all her training. But her anger only seems to infuriate him and he yells,
"We watched children burn to death and there was nothing we could do!"
I have to close my eyes a minute, as the image rips through me. It has the desired effect. I want everyone in
that mountain dead. Am about to say so. But then...I'm also a girl from District 12. Not President Snow. I can't
help it. I can't condemn someone to the death he's suggesting. "Gale," I say, taking his arm and trying to speak in
a reasonable tone. "The Nut's an old mine. It'd be like causing a massive coal mining accident." Surely the
words are enough to make anyone from 12 think twice about the plan.
"But not so quick as the one that killed our fathers," he retorts. "Is that everyone's problem? That our
enemies might have a few hours to reflect on the fact that they're dying, instead of just being blown to bits?"
Back in the old days, when we were nothing more than a couple of kids hunting outside of 12, Gale said
things like this and worse. But then they were just words. Here, put into practice, they become deeds that can
never be reversed.
"You don't know how those District Two people ended up in the Nut," I say. "They may have been coerced.
They may be held against their will. Some are our own spies. Will you kill them, too?"
"I would sacrifice a few, yes, to take out the rest of them," he replies. "And if I were a spy in there, I'd say,
'Bring on the avalanches!'"
I know he's telling the truth. That Gale would sacrifice his life in this way for the cause--no one doubts it.
Perhaps we'd all do the same if we were the spies and given the choice. I guess I would. But it's a coldhearted
decision to make for other people and those who love them.
"You said we had two choices," Boggs tells him. "To trap them or to flush them out. I say we try to avalanche
the mountain but leave the train tunnel alone. People can escape into the square, where we'll be waiting for
them."
"Heavily armed, I hope," says Gale. "You can be sure they'll be."
"Heavily armed. We'll take them prisoner," agrees Boggs.
"Let's bring Thirteen into the loop now," Beetee suggests. "Let President Coin weigh in."
"She'll want to block the tunnel," says Gale with conviction.
"Yes, most likely. But you know, Peeta did have a point in his propos. About the dangers of killing ourselves
off. I've been playing with some numbers. Factoring in the casualties and the wounded and...I think it's at least
worth a conversation," says Beetee.
Only a handful of people are invited to be part of that conversation. Gale and I are released with the rest. I
take him hunting so he can blow off some steam, but he's not talking about it. Probably too angry with me for
countering him.
The call does happen, a decision is made, and by evening I'm suited up in my Mockingjay outfit, with my
bow slung over my shoulder and an earpiece that connects me to Haymitch in 13--just in case a good
opportunity for a propo arises. We wait on the roof of the Justice Building with a clear view of our target.
Our hoverplanes are initially ignored by the commanders in the Nut, because in the past they've been little
more trouble than flies buzzing around a honeypot. But after two rounds of bombings in the higher elevations of
the mountain, the planes have their attention. By the time the Capitol's antiaircraft weapons begin to fire, it's
already too late.
Gale's plan exceeds anyone's expectations. Beetee was right about being unable to control the avalanches
once they'd been set in motion. The mountainsides are naturally unstable, but weakened by the explosions, they