Return of the Mockingjay

Chapter 13

Alek! Of course, what was I thinking!!!

I pull the Holo from my belt and call Alek while I trot.

"Alek, where are you?"

"Almost over the river now Katniss, looks like you've got some company"

"Yeah I know, forget us for now Alek, I need you to bomb the crash site, immediately!" I say gasping as I try to run and talk at the same time.

"Why Katniss, what's that going to achieve?"
"I haven't time to explain, just do it!"

I hang up and continue running, I steal a glance over my shoulder to see the mutts closing on me. I clip the holo to my belt and run as fast as I can. I touch my earpiece ready to call the squad when gunfire erupts around me. Gale, Blain and Joel had set an ambush to cut down some of the chasing mutts as I hadn't realised that they were right on my heels. I run into Gale's outstretched arms and turn to see more mutts coming at us from the woods. Then I hear explosions off to my right, no doubt explosive arrows fired by Steph. Gale grabs my arm and pulls me on toward the river. I take out my pistol from my leg holster and flick of the safety catch, ready for close quarter fighting. We eventually stumble out onto the river bank and I hear Gale groan at the realisation that Alek isn't here. The only good thing is the mutts seem to of left us alone and have given up the chase, for now. Gale turns to me, doubled over trying to catch his breath and starts to ask me where the drop ship is. But at that moment we all hear a massive explosion from back at the train wreck and I smile knowing Alek has released his missiles and bombs.
I take in a big breath and hope to god that Wolfe was killed in the explosion and that this whole infernal war is over. I stand and look around at the squad, everyone's here except Steph and Johanna. I tap my earpiece and call for them. All I can here in return is gunfire, shouting and general panic.

"Gale, what happened?"

"Johanna came up with some idea of drawing the mutts away from us so we could escape to the river"
"So what happens to them now?" I ask with a feeling of exasperation.
"I don't know, I guess she never planned that far"

Suddenly, our drop ship appears over the tree line and Alek lowers the ramp and sets down on the river bank. I order the squad aboard. And I try to raise Steph and Johanna as Alek lifts off. This time Steph replies.

"Katniss, we're pinned down further up the river bank by soldiers and mutts. Johanna's nearly out of ammo and I've only got a few arrows left, go Katniss, leave us behind"

I rush up to the flight deck to talk to Alek and briefly explain what's happened and I see his face drop at the mention of Steph's name and the trouble she's in.

Without saying a word he swings the drop ship round and follows the river bank up the river. It's not long before we see them, both huddled behind some rocks right on the water line while Wolfe's soldiers shoot at them from the shelter of the forest. Dead and maimed mutts lie around everywhere, no doubt cut down by Johanna and Steph.

"I can't get a clear shot on the soldiers Katniss, if I shoot at the soldiers I might hit Johanna and Steph"

"Okay, set us down on the bank further down the river, we'll get them out" I say putting a comforting hand on Alek's shoulder.

I rush back to the others and tell them what's going on. They all go the armoury and restock with ammunition while I top up my sheath with arrows. Alek gives us the green light and lowers the ramp showing us the scene below. As I watch I can see a line of mutts making their way out from the forest while the soldiers us them as cover to approach the girls. But one of the soldiers spots our drop ship and directs the others to start shooting in our directing with them now having to defend against us, rather than attacking Steph and Johanna. Gale, Blaine and Cressida return fire while I shoot an explosive arrow into the throng of soldiers and mutts. As the arrow explodes a number of them fly through the air with some landing in the trees and others falling in the fast flowing river.

"Blain, Joel, help them aboard" I shout pointing at Steph and Johanna still stuck behind the rock.
They run out onto the river bank shooting into the trees where the remaining mutts and soldiers have retreated to. Both Steph and Johanna make a run for it and both reach the safety of the drop ship while Joel and Blaine back toward the ship still laying down covering fire at Wolfe's forces still hiding in the trees. I hear the engines on the drop ship speed up as Alek gets ready to take off and Blaine and Joel turn and run for the ramp. Just metres away Blaine drops to his knees as a bullet tears into his leg. Without thinking both Gale and I run forward and pull him inside while the others shoot back at the soldiers who are now advancing from the trees trying to stop our escape. We all fall back onto the ramp as Alek lurches the drop ship into the air and then we immediately get thrown around the cabin as Alek makes a violent turn to head back down the river no doubt to get away from the hail of gunfire. We all have to hold on to avoid falling out through the gaping hole as the drop ramp still hasn't fully closed.
I touch my ear piece and call Alek,

"Are we okay, is there any damage? I ask worried that the drop ship maybe damaged and won't make it back.

"Everything's showing as normal Katniss, I think we're okay"

I lay back on the cabin floor and catch my breath, that was crazy!
I get up and help Blaine over to one of the chairs where Cressida begins to treat his wound. It appears that a bullet passed straight through his thigh but we can't see what damage it caused.
I take a seat next to Gale and look around at my team. Everyone looks exhausted and covered in dirt and mud. My mind finally turns to Peeta and Rue. I long to be with them again, although it's only been a day I miss them terribly. I sigh and close my eyes at the thought of Peeta's touch, his scent. The feeling of holding Rue in my arms.
I look across to see Steph staring at me with an anxious look on her face. She glances up toward the flight deck and then back at me.
I smile "okay Steph, go see him" I say, and without another word she throws off her safety belt and bounds up the steps to see Alek on the flight deck.