Author Games: Dacnomania Nexus Accourt

Finals - The Final Twist

"What do you mean, 'a problem'?"

Alithia's voice cuts across the already tense room. At this hour the Gamemaker's Suite is almost empty, only a few Avox remaining to tidy up the remains of the day. Two tributes died today; in less than an hour, Matthew Vindur and Strider Thorne's faces will be shown in the sky.

On the opposite side of Panem are the Gamemakers themselves, sat around a pristine glass table, and Leporis Honeyman, silhouetted against the panoramic view of the Capitol. For once the brisk, chill scientist looks worried; he's fiddling with the buttons on his coat. Pandora bats her eyelashes at him when she thinks the other Gamemakers aren't looking but he refuses to meet her eyes as he answers.

"Something went wrong with the injections," he stutters, "We think it was probably an issue with the anesthetic that was used to subdue them for the procedure. It appears to have responded badly to the chemicals involved in the procedure itself, and combined with the excessive radiation levels in the arena..."

"Spooky," Khave comments, leaning back on his chair and grinning around the table. Dressed in his traditional green and with a glass resting in one of his hands, he seems as relaxed as ever. On the opposite side of the table, Vinella rolls her eyes but doesn't look up, continuing to pull at the new black cuffs on her dress. Since the death of her son she has become more subdued, rarely contributing. Her age is starting to show around the sides of her mouth. But right now there are bigger things to worry about.

"Leading to what?" Alithia demands. The Head Gamemaker is the only one standing, pacing one side of the room with her jacket snapping behind her. Leporis gulps.

"We have been working on a cure, we've managed to come up with something but our budget only stretches to one vial..."

"Answer my question, Mr Honeyman."

Pandora casts him a sympathetic look but says nothing, watching the scene with a growing frown. Leporis nods; beads of sweat are starting to break out on his forehead.

"Leading to external mutations of an extreme nature," he mumbles.

Silence.

"So, we're talking extra arms, toes, that sort of thing?" Khave asks.

"Well...yes. Possibly more severe issues internally. Heart palpitations, risk of mutations in organs, possibly leading to strokes or more serious consequences --"

"Stop talking."

Vinella and Pandora exchange glances; Khave's smile doesn't even waver. Leporis keeps his eyes firmly fixed on the ground as Alithia continues. "There is only one vial of cure, correct? Just nod or shake your head. I don't want to hear your voice."

Leporis nods.

"There is no other way of reversing or halting it?"

Another nod.

"You may leave."

Pandora's gaze lingers after the closing door. Alithia pretends not to notice, snapping her fingers to catch their attention. Orders will be sent. Leporis and his team will probably never speak again. But first, to deal with the immediate issue.

Khave grins and takes a sip of his drink. "This is unfortunate. But hey, mutant tributes. It could be fun!"

"It could be a disaster."

"We could call the whole thing off," Pandora suggests half-heartedly, "It would be fair, and this is indeed a time of emergency."

"No. The Games must go on. There is no question about it. We have enough to rescue the winner and limit the damage. The question is; do we inform anybody?"

She looks from one to the next, the three faces all drawn. Vinella's forehead is creased, her hair stringy and faded. Pandora's attention is elsewhere, out of the door. A shame that Leporis has proved himself unreliable. He could have been useful. Now he has left them with this question.

And the answer is written in their faces.

No.

Task:

- Laurent Bloom. Rhea Nocturne. Tommy Barton. Finish what you began almost two months ago and kill the remaining two competitors. Your tribute is suffering heavily from both internal and external side effects of the changes, as detailed above by Leporis, but doesn't know how or why. The rest is up to you.

- Word Limit: none

- Sponsor Perk: none

- Deadline: 2200 Capitol Time [10PM BST], Saturday 17th August.