The power of deception 1

"[Controlled systems at 80% and increasing!]"

As the two hovercrafts landed slowly in the open area of the central square in District 12, at least thirty peacekeepers immediately disembarked, holding their weapons and aiming at the sides of the ships.

"I am Captain Kitz, sent to reinforce the security of District Twelve. Who is in charge?" Kitz asked in a cold tone, noticing the bloodstained uniforms of the peacekeepers in this district. It was obvious they had sustained numerous injuries.

"Sir, the captain in charge of security in this place was killed by the rebels hiding in the southern area... We were caught off guard. We never thought they had firearms." Jacob stepped forward, limping slightly due to a bullet hole in his uniform.

His performance wasn't good, but the atmosphere around him was enough to overlook those details for this man who presented himself as Captain.

"They have firearms?" Kitz asked, surprised. Who supplied them with firearms, and why didn't the hovercrafts in this place immediately bombard the rebels to control the situation?

It should be noted that the districts are controlled by a certain number of peacekeepers. For example, District 11 has the highest number of agents, but a place like District 12 would have a maximum of 150 to 250 peacekeepers. Considering the situation before the games, there was no need to reinforce security in this place, so there were no more than 200 agents, most of whom had been killed.

"We managed to counterattack and capture these damn rebels to sacrifice them to the public, giving them a strong warning before Martial Law was declared." Jacob pointed to the kneeling people behind the peacekeepers in this place.

"Will they send more reinforcements?" Jacob asked as he approached Captain Kitz.

"Not for now. The districts are likely to descend into chaos just like here, so the Capitol focused on reinforcing security in the larger districts."

"[Controlled systems at 95% and increasing!]"

"It's complicated..." Jacob still heard the distant explosions caused by the hovercrafts in the sky.

"Operating at night will be very complicated, especially when the rebels are hidden in the darkness, waiting to kill us." Captain Kitz was perceptive; he sensed that something was wrong, but he didn't know what.

His gaze returned to the peacekeepers behind Jacob. Some had gunshot wounds, and their white uniforms were stained red. The people on the ground seemed to be motionless, which was somewhat understandable.

However, the silence in the surroundings, aside from the explosions, was at least somewhat unsettling. In normal situations, they would have already been attacked, but for some reason, no one attacked them.

Was it because of the prisoners?

"[Controlled systems at 100%! What are your orders, master?]"

The corners of Jacob's lips curled upward, though this went unnoticed due to the helmet covering his face. With the hovercrafts that arrived in District Twelve, he now had nine hovercrafts in his possession, which would serve him well later on.

"Halt the attack and await further orders!"

"[Understood, master. Stopping the attack and cutting off communication!]"

But at that moment, someone from the remaining hovercraft stepped out of the ship and approached Kitz. They showed him a tablet and said, "Sir, five of the escaped participants are right in this district."

"Right here?" Kitz asked, his expression hardening.

"Yes, their frequencies indicate they are right in this location."

Indeed, Jacob had completely forgotten about the trackers they had on their left arms. Perhaps he forgot or simply didn't pay much attention, but Katniss' group must have removed them.

"Haha, damn, I completely forgot about that." Just at that moment, Jacob's whisper interrupted the conversation between Captain Kitz and his assistant.

Kitz's eyes turned towards Jacob, then he looked back and saw the rebels straightening their backs. A white object protruded from their arms; those were the weapons of the peacekeepers.

"Could it be you..."

Clap! Clap!

Before Kitz could say anything, the edge of a blade sliced his throat, preventing a word from escaping. At the same time, Jacob took care of the assistant by throwing another blade.

"You... Kdl... F...jsk!" Words attempted to leave Kitz's mouth, but instead, only pure blood came out, and he soon fell to his knees.

"Enemy attack!"

But long before the peacekeepers behind Kitz knew what was happening, Jacob raised his weapon and fired in the opposite direction where his hidden men were located.

Bang Bang Bang Bang!

The sound of gunfire was deafening, confusing and frightening the alert peacekeepers. Immediately, following Jacob's movements, they aligned themselves towards where he was firing and opened fire without hesitation.

Bang Bang Bang!

At the same time, the peacekeepers behind Jacob and the people on their knees raised their weapons towards the agents in front of them. The people in the darkness, hidden among the rubble, also raised their weapons, and everyone opened fire simultaneously at their enemies.

"They're finished!" Jacob murmured, knowing that his strategy had been a complete success.

Bang Bang Bang Bang!

The shots from two directions pierced through the newly arrived peacekeepers, and comprehension and continuous spurts of blood filled the air.

In less than a minute, all the enemies were eliminated, easily and quickly. Simple and uncomplicated, something only Jacob could have achieved with the help of his intelligent assistant.

"Cease fire, stop!" Jacob's shout made everyone stop shooting. Their racing hearts and the adrenaline rushing through their veins gradually subsided.

"Oh my God, I don't know how you did it, but we just wiped out two squads of peacekeepers without a single injury!" Brutus removed his helmet, unable to contain his excitement. Truth be told, he didn't know exactly how he let himself be influenced to this extent, but if asked now, he has no regrets.

Jacob stood atop a pile of rubble, surveying the aftermath of the devastating victory against the two squads of peacekeepers. The streets of District 12 were now littered with fallen bodies and remnants of the fierce battle that had taken place. Smoke rose into the night sky, mixing with the smell of gunpowder and blood. Despite the triumph, the air was filled with a sense of urgency and the knowledge that there was still much to be done.

"Take their weapons and uniforms," Jacob ordered, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "We will use them to our advantage. Strip the fallen peacekeepers of everything useful."

His fellow rebels quickly sprang into action, seizing the opportunity to arm themselves with the enemy's superior equipment. They moved swiftly, methodically removing weapons, ammunition, and protective gear from the fallen peacekeepers. It was a stark reminder of the asymmetric nature of their struggle: a rebellion against a powerful regime that had oppressed them for far too long.

While the rebels worked, Jacob's attention turned to the wounded. He ordered those who could still move to board the nearby hovercrafts. The injured would be transported to a safe location in the forest, where they could receive proper care and regroup with others who had managed to escape.

"We need to clear the streets!" Jacob shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Move the bodies, cover the traces of our victory. We cannot let the Capitol know the extent of our success just yet."

With grim determination, the rebels began the arduous task of removing the fallen Peacekeepers from the streets. They worked in silence, their faces etched with a mixture of exhaustion, pain, and defiance. It was a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made in their fight for freedom.

As the bodies were cleared and the battle's traces hidden, Jacob's attention shifted to the remaining threat: the three squads of peacekeepers still patrolling the skies under the control of his intelligent assistant. Their presence served as a reminder that the fight was far from over.

"We must remain vigilant," Jacob declared, addressing the weary but resolute rebels. "The Capitol will not rest until they have crushed us. We have dealt a blow tonight, but there is more to come. Stay strong, stay united."

The rebels nodded, their eyes reflecting weariness and determination. They understood the gravity of the situation and the long road ahead. But they also knew they had taken a significant step towards liberation. The victory in District 12 would resonate throughout Panem, fueling the hopes of the oppressed in other districts.

As the night wore on, the rebels regrouped, rearmed with confiscated weapons, and donned the uniforms of their fallen enemies. They were ready to face the challenges that awaited them, knowing that their struggle was far from over. Jacob's leadership had inspired them, giving them the strength to keep fighting for a better future.

"Well, let's eliminate the next squads before planning our next move!"