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IT IS DARK when the 6 victors-turned-tributes have reached the lightening tree. The moon illuminates the tree so they can see it. Thana hangs back with Finnick, not leaving his side yet as he is still a little absent, as is she herself. It is noticeable that they are doing so, but none have the energy to say something about it. The mental exhaustion is already kicking in, but they know that adrenaline can change that right around. It is the waiting, the endless waiting and just going on since the stupid announcement that they would have to return or at least had a chance to return. Of course, Johanna and Katniss would always go in. But for the others there was a possibility of being on the sidelines.
"Minimal charring, it's an impressive conductor," Beetee says mostly to himself. "Let's get started." He moves towards the tree, his wire still in his hand.
"It's an impressive tree," Thana grins at Johanna as she slightly bumps into Finnick as she walks forwards, spinning in her heels to face Johanna. "How long would it take our own tree to take it down?"
"You child," Johanna rolls her eyes as she follows Beetee towards the tree. Not answering the question eventhough it is directed at her.
"But you like me anyway," Thana muses, trying to ease the silent tension Beetee's plan brought to the group. "Anyway, why is a tree a good conductor?"
...
"Typically, a lightning strike contains 5 billion joules of energy," Beetee says, waving his wire around the large tree. "We don't want to be anywhere near the vicinity when it hits."
"Nor do we want to be near the beach," Thana points out. "So, time is key here."
"You three girls go together now," Beetee orders, walking towards them with his wire. "Take this," he says to Katniss. "Unspool it carefully, make sure the entire coil is in the water, you understand?" He looks all three of them in the eyes. "Then head to the tree in the two o'clock centre, we will meet you there." He starts to walk back to his creation.
"I am going with them as a guard," Peeta says, not wanting to be parted from Katniss.
"No," Beetee disagrees, "no, no, no, you are staying here to protect me." A little pause, "and the tree." They all look at each other, and Thana slowly makes her way back to Finnick.
"No, I need to go with her," Peeta says more passionately now.
"There are two careers out there," Beetee counters, "I need two guards." Katniss looks around as well.
"Finnick can protect you just fine on his own," Peeta tries again.
"Yeah, why can't Finnick, Johanna, and Thana stay with you and Peeta, and I will take the coil." Katniss starts to argue as well.
