3 by mockingjay

Author:mockingjay
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2012-02-12T05:46:37+00:00

Blindsided. That's how I feel when Haymitch tells me

in the hospital. I fly down the steps to Command,

mind racing a mile a minute, and burst right into a

war meeting.

"What do you mean, I'm not going to the Capitol? I

have to go! I'm the Mockingjay!" I say.

Coin barely looks up from her screen. "And as the

Mockingjay, your primary goal of unifying the

districts against the Capitol has been achieved. Don't

worry--if it goes well, we'll fly you in for the

surrender."

The surrender?

"That'll be too late! I'll miss all the fighting. You need

me--I'm the best shot you've got!" I shout. I don't

usually brag about this, but it's got to be at least

close to true. "Gale's going."

"Gale has shown up for training every day unless

occupied with other approved duties. We feel

confident he can manage himself in the field," says

Coin. "How many training sessions do you estimate

you've attended?"

None. That's how many. "Well, sometimes I was

hunting. And...I trained with Beetee down in Special

Weaponry."

"It's not the same, Katniss," says Boggs. "We all know you're smart and brave and a good shot. But we need

soldiers in the field. You don't know the first thing

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Mockingjay – Suzanne Collins

about executing orders, and you're not exactly at your

physical peak."

"That didn't bother you when I was in Eight. Or Two,

for that matter," I counter.

"You weren't originally authorized for combat in either

case," says Plutarch, shooting me a look that signals

I'm about to reveal too much.

No, the bomber battle in 8 and my intervention in 2

were spontaneous, rash, and definitely unauthorized.

"And both resulted in your injury," Boggs reminds

me. Suddenly, I see myself through his eyes. A

smallish seventeen-year-old girl who can't quite catch

her breath since her ribs haven't fully healed.

Disheveled. Undisciplined. Recuperating. Not a

soldier, but someone who needs to be looked after.

"But I have to go," I say.

"Why?" asks Coin.

I can't very well say it's so I can carry out my own

personal vendetta against Snow. Or that the idea of

remaining here in 13 with the latest version of Peeta

while Gale goes off to fight is unbearable. But I have

no shortage of reasons to want to fight in the Capitol.

"Because of Twelve. Because they destroyed my

district."

The president thinks about this a moment. Considers

me. "Well, you have three weeks. It's not long, but you

can begin training. If the Assignment Board deems

you fit, possibly your case will be reviewed."

That's it. That's the most I can hope for. I guess it's

my own fault. I did blow off my schedule every single

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Mockingjay – Suzanne Collins

day unless something suited me. It didn't seem like

much of a priority, jogging around a field with a gun

with so many other things going on. And now I'm

paying for my negligence.

Back in the hospital, I find Johanna in the same

circumstance and spitting mad. I tell her about what

Coin said. "Maybe you can train, too."

"Fine. I'll train. But I'm going to the stinking Capitol if

I have to kill a crew and fly there myself," says

Johanna.

"Probably best not to bring that up in training," I say.

"But it's nice to know I'll have a ride.

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