Fire is Raging On (A Hunger Games Fanfic) [#Wattys 2016]

Chapter Twenty-seven

Chapter Twenty-seven

Peeta's POV

The meeting hall became quiet as four representatives walk out with the door thudding behind them. It seems like no breathes as the tension is still felt in the air.

"Traitoring idiots," Aiken mutters shaking his head. He has his forefinger and thumb pinching the bridge of his nose.

Webster releases a breath heavily. "Now, Aiken, let's not call them traitors. Their opinions are their own and we are not here to change their minds. They must come upon their decision to stand with us on their own. We are not here to alter their minds."

I can see Aiken rolls his eyes, but doesn't say anything. The rooms falls into silence again, and it seems everyone is debating what to do and say next. My hand is clasped in Katniss's while my thumb makes gentle circular strokes on the back of her hand.

"Excuse me for the interruption, but what is the plan?" Raoul questions, while he places his hands atop the table, folding them over one another.

"I'm glad you asked, Raoul," Webster begins. "I thought we might come up with a plan together, as a group. Afterall, you all graciously agreed to stand by us."

"An excellent plan," Amelia says. "Truthfully, I believe there is only one course of action we can take at this point to end this once and for all."

"Please do tell, Amelia. The floor is ours and after you are done proposing your idea we will discuss it," Webster says spreading his hands before him in an inviting fashion before leaning back in his chair.

"Thank you," she nods her head before turning to everyone else at the table. "As I said, I believe we only have one true option at this point. We're all know the history of Panem's creation, at least I believe Peeta and Katniss were filled in correct?"

I nod my head, and I can see Katniss doing the same from the corner of my eyes.

"Good, then we are all caught up. So we all know of Panem's inhuman way of treating their citizens. It's on the same levels as what was previously tried as crimes against humanity as it was the way before the third World War. I honestly don't believe we can settle this any other way. Panem is too strong to deal with any other way. However, they are not as strong as they once were. They no longer possess the might and strength as they did prior to the beginning of World War III. Obviously, we all lost some of men and women, along with our strength, might, and power after World War III. Panem is no exception to that. I believe the only way we can settle this is through war."

At the end of Amelia's short speech, the room grows heavy with silence. Everyone seems to be contemplating what has just been said. I am too. Another war. I don't know all these details about these World Wars they keep talking about, but Panem just went through a war. A war to get rid of Snow. That was some of the hardest time of my life, the arenas being the other part. I don't know if I could go through another war. Even though it would be a big help with these others willing to help us. I don't know the numbers of people that would be willing to help us, but every person helps. I know that, that became evident in the rebellion. But at the same time, we almost lost the rebellion. It took us weeks upon weeks to gain control of District Two and even more time to gain control of the Capitol. The Capitol. So many innocent people died there. Prim. Too many young people died. The same thing could happen if we were to enter another war on what seems to be a larger scale. How many people would die then?

"It's a drastic plan, certainly," Jovena says, breaking the silence.

"Is it necessary is the question?" Raoul pipes up.

"I agree the plan is drastic, and I think it may very well be necessary," Webster says. "We have gained strength since the end of World War III. Panem gained some too. But you have to remember, they isolated themselves since then. They are at the disadvantage here." He stops and turns to Katniss and I. "Peeta, Katniss, do you have anything you would like to say?"

"Yes," Katniss says quietly. "What about those who just walked out and said they would side with Panem?"

"They said they would only be providing Panem with money and weapons. Not actual fighting," Amelia says.

"Yes, but money and weapons are a large and important part of war, are they not?" Katniss asks.

"Yes, but that only goes so far. You still need man power behind that. You will have the support of the British, French, Spanish, and Italian militaries backing you. Anyone fighting for Panem will only have those defending Panem. On top of that we will have the combined money and weapon sources from us four," Webster explains.

Katniss nods, "Then, perhaps war in our best bet at getting rid of Vada and reforming Panem for good."

"Yes, it is looking like that. It will be hard surely, but well worth it in the end. Now," Webster says clapping his hands together, "Is everyone is agreement on a war being our plan."

Everyone around the table nods their head in assent.

"Peeta?" Webster says. I look up at him. "Do you agree?"

I sit back in the chair, letting go of Katniss's hand and start fiddling with my hands in my lap. "To be honest, I don't like, but I agree it may be necessary..."

"Excellent, then we are all in agreement," Webster says.

"Just a second, I do have a request or two," I say interrupting him.

He spreads his hands in front of him, "Please do tell, then."

Katniss turns to look at me as everyone else fixates their eyes on me. "I want a main priority to be getting Willow back."

"Yes, very reasonable and certainly I understand your desire for that and I promise you it will be a priority. We will go in the first moment we possibly can. Now what is the other request?"

"It's similar to the other one. The Games. They are going on again right now. Two very close friends we have are in the Games right now, along with two very close people to use are their mentor and escort, I want them and everyone in the Games rescued as soon as possible."

Sighs are heard around the table. "That's a hefty request, Peeta. It's similar to what happened, or what was suppose to happen, in your last Games. It will be difficult surely, but I promise to do our best to get everyone out."

"Then, I agree to the war. Now what?"

"Now what?" Raoul muzes. "I suppose we should all call our armies up. Get them preparing. Get them ready to fight Panem."

"Yes, it's time to start preparing them. Then, when we are close to being ready, which won't take long for those with experience, we will announce the war announcement to see if Panem will give up without consequence first. I doubt they will with a leader like Vada Snow. Then, we invade Panem," Webster says. "Now Peeta, Katniss, I trust you both have quite a bit of army knowledge. It won't take long to make sure you are both prepared. You are well known in Panem, so we will make you both the face of this war. Now," Webster says, clapping once more, "this meeting is adjourned. Raoul, Jovena, Amelia, let your countries know to start preparing their best. It's time to end Panem's vicious reign once and for all."

Okay, I'm on time with an update. I haven't written as much as I would have liked over the past 2 weeks. I'll explain more on that in the next part of An Ending, which will be up later today or tomorrow morning. I'm working on Chapter 31 now, so hopefully I get that done today. I might try to write Chapter 32 tomorrow yet this weekend. But I'm just telling you guys now that these chapters will start getting more action and fight scenes in them. I also might be procrastinating writing these chapters because this book will be coming to an end soon. -- Alexis