¡Bang! ¡Bang! ¡Bang!
The last three squads were easily eliminated, there was no escape from the elimination without them being able to do anything. When the hatches of the Hovercrafts descending from the sky opened, they were all greeted with hundreds of bullets.
Now, it could be said that they were temporarily safe. Jacob, as usual, asked everyone to grab their weapons and uniforms for what was to come. Then, those who didn't have uniforms used the ones they had obtained from the Peacekeepers.
"We have about 24 hours to deceive the Capitol and let them know that this place is secure. During that time, we must ensure that children and young people are not in danger." Jacob's shout awakened everyone who had been working in silence; after all, the deaths they had witnessed so far had been numerous.
"How do you plan to do it?" Finnick asked as he walked towards Jacob. Since they escaped from the arena, he never knew if it was somehow Jacob who controlled the Hovercrafts or if he received help from someone else.
"First, we need to remove the trackers, then use them against the Capitol to buy time and wait for District 13 to help us." Jacob said as he looked at the debris and rivers of blood everywhere.
"Johanna is taking care of that. Now, deceiving the Capitol is not an easy task." Finnick couldn't keep up with Jacob's plans mentally, but he had managed to win against the Capitol on three occasions.
"First, we need everyone to put on the uniforms, hide their faces, and the rest should lie on the ground without moving at all... Yes, that should work."
"I'll tell them." Finnick said as he headed towards the others.
With a brilliant idea in his mind, Jacob turned to the row of corpses and saw Captain Kitz's body. He then ordered his intelligent assistant, "Do you have his voice frequency and have you recorded his appearance?"
"[Master, I managed to obtain that information!]"
After hearing those questions, Jacob's assistant emitted a hologram exactly like Captain Kitz and placed it in front of him.
In the distance, everyone looked towards Jacob as he circled around the hologram of Captain Kitz while speaking to the air.
"What the hell is that?" Brutus had no idea what was happening, just like the others.
"It's the technology that Jacob contacted us with. No one knows how he got it or who provided it, but we all assume it's a highly advanced tool with which he manages to control the Hovercrafts ."
"Can he really do that?" Finnick was impressed.
"Yes, but we assume there must be a limit."
Everyone waited for Jacob's orders. They had achieved all these victories thanks to him, and all the districts were looking to his leadership.
"Alright, now we will record a video for the Capitol, so you must act as genuine Peacekeepers..." As Jacob said this, he put on his helmet and pointed, "Those without uniforms must stay on the ground, do not move, and act afraid."
"Alright, I hope it works..." Jacob's eyes scanned the entire area and he realized that dawn was already breaking. A whole night of fighting had exhausted the strength of everyone present, but they remained in their positions.
"In three, two, one..."
...
The atmosphere was tense as Jacob stood in the middle of the district square, surrounded by immobilized Peacekeepers and rebels lying on the ground with their hands interlocked behind their heads. It was a meticulously staged scene, a ploy designed to deceive the Capitol and buy time for the rebels to plan their next moves.
Jacob gestured to his fellow rebels to remain still and silent as he pointed to where the supposed recording device was located. He took a deep breath, composing himself before speaking into the device.
Jacob began murmuring the message that the hologram of Kitz was supposed to deliver, and once he started speaking, the hologram with Captain Kitz's voice did the same.
"This is Captain Kitz speaking, an important message from District Twelve. I have a crucial message for President Snow and the outcome of our mobilization."
The rebels watched attentively, their eyes blinking with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.
Jacob continued murmuring, and so did the hologram of Kitz: "The situation in District 12 is under control. The rebel forces have been successfully halted and await public execution as a warning to those who dare defy the authority of the Capitol."
A murmur ran through the rebel ranks, their unease palpable, and their exposed fear very real.
"We have suffered losses, both among our own ranks and among innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. Collateral damage cannot be avoided in times of war, and we lament the lives lost."
A solemn silence seized the plaza as Jacob's words hung in the air. He understood the importance of striking a balance between instilling fear in the Capitol and maintaining the trust and support of his fellow rebels.
"This message serves as a reminder of the Capitol's power and the consequences of rebellion. We urge the citizens of Panem to reconsider any thoughts of uprising and submit to the authority of the Capitol. Failure to do so will result in swift and severe retribution."
When Jacob finished recording the message, he surveyed the scene before him: the peacekeepers who were actually rebels, the rebels playing their roles, and the tension in the air. He knew this act would have far-reaching consequences, both in terms of manipulating the Capitol's perception and instilling confidence among the rebel districts.
Addressing his people, Jacob said, "Remember, this is only a temporary stratagem. We must use this time wisely to plan our next moves, devise strategies, and strengthen our cause. Our fight is far from over, and together, we will prevail."
The rebels nodded, their spirits renewed. They understood the importance of this ruse and the sacrifices they had made for a greater cause. With a shared understanding, they dispersed, ready to continue their resistance against the oppressive regime.
Jacob watched as they moved as if they were not tired, their confidence fueling his own. He knew the path ahead would be treacherous, but he was prepared to guide his people toward a better future, regardless of the cost.
"Now we must head towards the forest, wait for District 13's decision, and act accordingly. If our message is discovered to be a lie, the Capitol will bombard District 12."
Everyone obeyed and boarded the Hovercrafts , all heading toward the forest where the rest of District 12's inhabitants were located.