Foaly the Centaur

I first met Lucy Carlyle years ago, when she was a young mudgirl with a big dream and undying affection for Anthony Lockwood. That must have been at least ten years ago, and she has changed.

It's not just the lines on her face; her whole demeanor is different. I know the death of her husband hardened her, which is why I came. She will not have qualms about helping me.

"Why are you here, Mr. Foaly? I thought you had no interest in joining."

I shake my head. "I don't want to join. I've come to ask a favor."

Lucy raises a skeptical eyebrow. "Do elaborate. Although, I must warn you it's not likely to be granted."

I ignore the second part of her statement. "Two of my very dear friends were killed in the games. I want to know if there's-"

"A way to recover their bodies? I'm afraid not. The Capitol store the corpses of the tributes in a highly secured area. We tried once before, and some of our best people were killed."

"You didn't have me before. I can't do anything from my own computers, because they monitor everything. But on yours- I could greatly increase the chances of survival for whoever went in."

Lucy tilts her head to one side, pondering the proposal. After a moment she says, "I make no promises, but I will consult with the other leaders. I think... I think I may have some people willing to help you."

Tobias Eaton

"I remember you."

Piper's head snaps up to stare at me, walking next to her. "What?"

"You were Jason Grace's girlfriend."

She winces. "Yes."

"They interviewed you after... After his games."

"After he died?" She says bitterly. "Yes. They did."

"Is that why you joined? Jason?"

Piper shrugs. "We... we were planning to run away together. Before he was reaped. He hated our life... there was nothing left for him in district 1. Just his sister, who he hardly saw anyway. We wanted to come here- to the destroyed districts. To investigate the rumors of life there. Maybe to join the rebellion. But then..." She trails off, swallowing hard.

I shake my head sadly. "He should have won. He was the best in the arena. It was a fluke-"

"It was murder," Piper says coldly. "Not an accident. The Capitol wanted a victor who would praise the Games, and they knew Jason wouldn't."

"But-"

"But Eric killed him? I know. And I don't doubt for a moment that he was the Capitol's tribute. There's always someone who's really doing the President's work. They vary the district they come from, but there's always one, and they usually last for awhile."

"But why? The gamemakers can manipulate it all from the safety of their quarters."

"They can manipulate the conditions, yes... but they can't manipulate the tributes in the same way another person can."

I nod, understanding. "You have some interesting theories. Where'd you get them?"

"Jason and I used to sit around and talk about it a lot. Plus... my dad knows influential people. With my...er... conversational skills, I can get some good stuff out of them."

I laugh. Carter told me about Piper's 'charmspeak.' It seems like it would be pretty useful.

We've reached the door to Lucy's private office. Piper says she doesn't ask people to meet her here unless she has an important job for them, which is exciting. It'll be my first job.

Piper knocks.

"Piper and Tobias? Come in."

We do as she says. The door swings open easily, and we step into the room. It's big enough, but not large. Lucy sits behind a sizeable desk probably made of oak or something. There are only a few papers sitting on top of it, since most everything is kept in computer files that can all be destroyed with the push of a button if needed.

The woman smiles at us. "Please sit down," she says in her crisp accent, motioning at the chairs facing her. We do. "A few days ago, an old acquaintance of mine came to me with a request. He wants me to send a team into the Capitol... to recover the bodies of some of the tributes."

I blink. "They keep the bodies?"

Piper nods numbly. "They keep them for medical research... sometimes they're able to take some of the organs for use in transplants. But, Lucy, you said it was too dangerous to try again..."

"Try again?" I question her.

The dark-haired girl sighs. "Not long after Carter came here, they tried to go in on a mission like this. Carter's sister died trying to save the others. The leaders forbade anyone from trying it again."

Lucy frowns. "I know what I said, Piper. But my acquaintance has skills that can help us this time, and we have acquired some other useful assets as well. I think we have a very good chance of recovering not only one or two but many of the bodies. Including-"

"Including Jason."

"Including Tris."

Piper and I speak at the same time, then glance at each other, not sure what else to say.

The woman behind the desk nods. "Many people within our organisation have lost people to the fandom games. They would be unspeakably grateful a chance to bury their loved ones. But this is important for other reasons...

"We have yet to make a decisive move against the Capitol. If this smaller mission succeeds, I think - and the other leaders agree - it means we're ready to try something bigger."

Piper speaks before I can. "Why us?"

Lucy smiles. "Your powers can get you in and out of tight places, Piper. That's a skill that can be extremely useful in enemy territory. And Tobias - you're skilled in hand to hand combat, although it hopefully won't come to that. Consider this your final step in initiation."

"How big will the team be?" Piper asks.

"It's uncertain. No more than five or six."

"That's a lot of people to get in and out of a secure area, Lucy."

"Don't worry - you won't be the only person with... unique abilities. We have a lot of assets, and if we utilize them I know we can do this. What do you say?"

I glance at my friend, who gives a barely perceptible smile and nod. Then I look back at Lucy, who probably knows what our answer will be, and has one eyebrow raised impatiently.

I smile. "We're in."