Squad 451 helped themselves to the array of rare treats the previous occupant of their hideout had graciously left behind for them. Decadent confectioneries and sugary snacks formed one of the most flavourful meals they'd ever had on their mission, albeit slightly less nutritious but no one voiced much concern for that aspect impacting their health. When they were risking their life on a daily basis, diet became the least of their worries.
Though as they were munching into the Capitol's finest selection of bon-bons and truffles, the screen in the centre of the room came alive once again. The Panem anthem blared out into the silence, the symbol of the Capitol displayed on all sides of the cubed monitor to ensure no one could possibly miss the announcement. But as a familiar booming sound accompanied the music and Cressida's face popped up in front of them, the squad quickly realised that this wasn't an ordinary broadcast.
The faces of the film crew flashed up one by one, their name and place of origin printed beneath (the Capitol in their case). Though as Messalla's commemoration was replaced by Finnick's with District Four written underneath, the man himself began to chuckle from his seat next to Dahlia. She didn't know the exact reason he found his own death so amusing, but it made more sense once her own photo was plastered on the screen.
It was a strange feeling to be pronounced as dead, like staring down at your own name etched on a gravestone:
'Here lies Dahlia Blossom... A menace to the Capitol who will be missed by none.'
But there was also a strange sense of freedom to it. They were ghosts now, unrestrained by the rules of the living world and completely free to do as they wished. The possibility of liberty was exhilarating to a couple who had known subjugation and servitude to a government they had never believed in. They could go anywhere, do anything, be anyone... But why did it take dying to release them from their persecution and tyranny? It wasn't right for them to find freedom in death, but that's what every citizen of Panem experienced. And that's why they needed to end this fight.
Finnick, still amused by the announcement of their deaths, leaned in close to whisper in Dahlia's ear, "I believe they got your name wrong."
It was true. The Capitol had advertised her last name as 'Blossom', despite the fact that her wedding to Finnick was publicised for all of Panem to bear witness. Turning to her husband with her left hand raised to display her wedding ring, Dahlia lovingly murmured back, "I'm an Odair now. And proud of it."
Finnick couldn't help but grin in adoration. God, he loved his wife, he thought to himself as he took Dahlia's hand in his own and placed a lingering kiss over her left ring finger. He maintained eye contact long after his lips had left her skin and refused to separate as he nuzzled his cheek against their joined hands.
Once the presentation of the supposed deceased had ended with the two Victors from District Twelve, a familiar and unwelcome face was next to appear on the screen. All the air seemed to be sucked out of the room and replaced with a tense atmosphere as President Snow leered down at the squad condescendingly.
"So Katniss Everdeen," Snow began scornfully, his voice smug with the aura of triumph. "A poor unstable girl with nothing but a small talent with a bow and arrow is dead. Not a thinker, not a leader. Simply a face plucked from the masses. Was she valuable? She was extremely valuable to your rebellion because you have no vision, no true leader among you. You call yourselves an alliance. But we saw what that means. Abandoning your people in an arena then stealing them back when you realise they are of use to you." A clear dig at Dahlia's situation. She doesn't let his words affect her, she won't let him have that power over her. "You have no loyalty. Your soldiers are at each other's throats."
But as the arrogant man goes to continue his criticism of the rebellion, static interrupted his speech. And then the face of a different president appeared instead.
"Good evening. For those of you who don't know me, please, allow me to introduce myself. I am President Alma Coin, leader of the rebellion." Dahlia rolled her eyes at the convenient timing of the woman's interference. Now that the Mockingjay was declared dead, the woman was finally ready to step out of the shadows of District Thirteen and take Katniss' place as the face of the rebellion. "I have interrupted a broadcast from your President in which he attempted to defame a brave young woman. 'A face picked from the masses,' he called her. As if a leader, a true leader, could be anything else. I had the privilege of knowing a small-town girl from the Seam in District Twelve, who survived the Hunger Games and the Quarter Quell and rose up and turned a nation of slaves into an army!"
Dahlia couldn't help audibly scoffing as Coin's voice grew heavy with emotion and sorrow. Shaking her head at the feigned display of grief, she mumbled to Finnick, "As if she wasn't just celebrating Katniss' death before broadcasting this."
Finnick hummed his agreement, the two Victors knowing full well how strained the relationship between the women could be. Coin was clearly trying to profit off of the Mockingjay's success and influence over the districts. But, in Dahlia's opinion, she was doing a piss poor job.
Tearfully Coin continued, "Dead or alive, Katniss Everdeen will remain the face of this revolution. She will not have died for nothing."
"I had no idea I meant so much to her." Katniss grumbled sarcastically, sharing Dahlia and Finnick's views for how Coin felt about her.
"Her vision and ours will be realised." Coin declared, her forced tears already dried up as if they were never there in the first place. "A free Panem with self-determination for all. And in her memory, we will all find the strength to rid Panem of its oppressors. Thank you. And be safe."
The famous mockingjay whistle rang out as the words 'Remember the Mockingjay' were displayed beneath Katniss' face. But the girl herself didn't care much for Coin's emotional tribute, quickly getting to her feet with the Holo and announcing, "Snow's in his mansion. Where is that?"
She placed the Holo down on the table for everyone to see as the squad gathered around the map. Dahlia and Finnick shuffled over next to Katniss as Cressida pointed out the locations and explained, "That's us. That's the City Circle. It's at least 70, 75 blocks north."
"Seventy-five blocks?" Finnick repeated in disbelief, unsure if he had heard her correctly.
"Uh-huh." Cressida nodded in confirmation, making the Odairs exchange wary glances. There was no possible way they'd be able to make it that far without being picked up on security cameras.
"Nobody knows we're alive. This is our chance." Katniss stated impatiently, desperate to take out Snow once and for all. Gesturing to an area of the map, she asked, "These buildings. Do these look over Snow's gardens?"
Cressida shook her head in uncertainty, meekly replying, "I..."
But Dahlia cut in with an affirmative, "They do." She'd been stationed all across the Capitol during her time under Snow's control, she knew all the best areas to spy on an individual's behaviour.
"If he goes outside at all, I could get a clear shot." Katniss theorised, her face stony and stern with confidence.
"We're getting ahead of ourselves here." Jackson intervened, attempting to bring the squad back to reality. "Whether they're looking for us or not, we are pinned down. Hit that button. Scan for pods."
Katniss did as Jackson instructed, clicking the switch to reveal hundreds of documented pods scattered around the city. The sheer scale of the Gamemakers' defence system was impressive but daunting for those wishing to avoid the dangers. The deadly creations made it difficult to move anywhere in the Capitol.
"Just about every 10 steps." Homes noted in dismay, watching the marked pods flicker in orange light on the map.
"Yeah, that doesn't even show the new ones." Gale added on gruffly, clearly not optimistic about their chances.
Finnick sighed at the disappointing information, "So we can't go anywhere in the streets."
"And the rooftops are just as bad." Dahlia muttered additionally, remembering her time slinking through the night by hopping from roof to roof. It had been difficult enough back then, she couldn't imagine Snow had made it any easier on them.
Just when all hope seemed lost and options were becoming limited, Pollux perked up. Nudging his brother, he silently pointed downwards to convey his idea. Castor knew exactly what he was trying to say, nodding in acknowledgement as he spoke up, "There might be another way."