"I'M LATE!" I shout as I fly down the steps toward the kitchen and simultaneously tuck my physical training t-shirt into my athletic shorts. "I really hate this new PT uniform," I mutter as I grab my running shoes on the rubber mat next to the door.

"And it hates you back," Clint says sarcastically as he fills a bowl with oatmeal from the stove. Aurora, still in her pajamas, licks her lips impatiently at the kitchen table as he pours a little bit of cinnamon and sugar over her breakfast and sets it down in front of her. She quickly reaches for her spoon, but Clint pulls the bowl away from her. "What do we say?" he says in a tone of voice much more maternal than anything I could ever muster.

"Thank you, Daddy," Aurora says with an adorable grin. I hold back a laugh as her messy blond curls bob up and down as he sets the bowl in front of her again and our five- year old shovels in her first big bite.

"I'm sorry to say I think you got your table manners from your mother," Clint says as he gives her a big kiss on the forehead. Aurora ignores him as she takes another spoonful of the hot cereal.

"Hey, a girl's gotta eat!" I say as I hurriedly tie the laces of my shoes and prepare to sprint out the door.

"You're not helping, Liv," Clint whispers with a smile as he goes back to the stove to ladle himself a bowl. "You want something to eat?"

"Can't!" I say excitedly as I finish throwing my hair into a tight bun behind my head. "I'm leading the men on a long run this morning. Besides, I told you… I'm late!"

"Calm down, calm down," Clint says coolly as he takes a seat next to Aurora. "I don't think they'll start without you."

"I'm the CSM, Honey," I say a little perturbed. "It looks bad when I'm not on time."

"I know, I know," he mutters taking a bite from his bowl. "You remember I was in the Defense Forces once too, right?" he says with another sarcastic grin. I chuckle and smile right back at him. "But then somebody had to stay home and raise this little hellion," he laughs as he reaches over and messes with Aurora's curls. She giggles and goes back to eating her oatmeal. I walk over, give him a quick kiss, and then whisper in his ear:

"The little hellion that you put in me," I say with a seductive tone in my voice.

"Can't wait till we can get started on the next one," he whispers back.

"Not for a while…" I say back as I turn to kiss Aurora goodbye.

"Bye bye, Sweetheart. Be good for Daddy today."

"Yes, Mommy," she says sweetly as I give her a peck on her pink forehead.

I immediately head for the door.

"I may be a little late tonight," I say absentmindedly. "The Battalion Commander and I are going out to check on a few company ranges today." My hand is on the doorknob when Clint calls after me.

"Forgetting something?" I pause as I try to think what he could mean. "That is, unless you want to spend the whole day in a sweaty physical training uniform."

"Dammit!" I shout as I whip back around. "I forgot to pack my uniform bag last night!"

"Little ears!" Clint shoots back motioning toward Aurora. I just roll my eyes.

"She's Hatchet Hightower's daughter," I think to myself. "She's gonna hear a lot worse…"

"I took a clean set of fatigues out of the wash last night and packed them in your gym bag along with your beret and boots. They're on the washing machine," Clint says with a smile.

"You're amazing," I say relieved as I run into the laundry room and grab my gear.

"I know," he mutters as I dash back past him towards the door. As I push out into the pre-dawn darkness of District 2, I hear my daughter giggle again.

"Mommy's funny when she's late for work," Aurora says in her little chipmunk voice.

"Yes…she is," my husband says smiling back at her.

"I cannot believe how lucky I am to have them both," I think as I disappear down the street.

It's a short three block jog from our house in the residential section of Fort Sturm to my battalion headquarters. The sun is just starting to poke its rays over the mountains as I pass the sign in front of the building that reads:

1st Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment (Hovercraft Assault)

"The Gunslingers"

United Districts of Panem Ground Defense Forces

Commander:

Lieutenant Colonel Halberd Bixby

Command Sergeant Major:

Olivia S. Hightower

When I first enlisted eleven years ago, I could never have imagined that I would go so far, so fast. Most take twice as long to reach Battalion Command Sergeant Major. The Ministry of Defense claimed it was because of my record during the TEC War, but I had a feeling it had something to do with General Ares Snow dropping a few good words on my behalf before his retirement. It's something he's never admitted to even after years of questioning on my part.

I run past the color sergeant and a detail of six soldiers unfurling the UDP Mockingjay at the base of the empty flagpole in front of the main doors.

"Damn, I'm later than I thought," I think looking down at the communicuff on my wrist.

"Good morning, Sergeant Major," he says as I hurriedly rush inside.

"Morning, Sergeant Gee," I say without stopping. The whole battalion should be formed up by now and waiting for me. I run through the empty halls and out the back door. All five companies are standing in formation on the concrete pad behind the building. First Sergeant Galbiaz of the Headquarters Company stands in front of everyone holding my place.

"Good morning, Sergeant Major," he says as he sees me throw my bag down and run to the head of the formation.

"Morning, First Sergeant," I say trying to sound calm. "Take your company."

"Yes, Sergeant Major," he says walking over to his men. Once he leaves, I'm alone, standing in front of five hundred sets of eyes, all in matching physical training uniforms and waiting for the start of the week. The cool morning air kisses my skin as I look down at my communicuff one final time.

"0629 hours, right on schedule." I think as I snap myself to attention.

"BATTALION!" I shout at the top of my lungs. "ATTEN-TION!" The sound of five hundred heels clicking together is followed closely by a loud and thunderous,

"GUNSLINGERS!" as the entire battalion shouts out our motto in unison.

"BOOM!" The sound of a cannon echoes across Fort Sturm followed by a bugle playing "Reveille." What was once the sound that signaled a death to all of Panem is now used by the Defense Forces to usher in every brand new day.

"PRESENT ARMS!" The entire battalion throws up their right arm to salute the flag as it is raised up the pole. We stand, still as statues, as the banner rises to its position of honor. As the music fades away, I call out, "ORDER ARMS, AT EASE!"

Everyone relaxes before I address the formation. "Good morning, Gunslingers!"

"GOOD MORNING, SERGEANT MAJOR!"

"Since it's the start of another wonderful week, I thought I would lead you all on a little run. How does that sound?"

A roar of approval echoes across the formation. "Good! I love motivation," I say with a grin. "I'm so motivated this morning that I want to go six miles!" The roar of approval quickly turns to a groan. "Alright then, if we're not motivated, then we'll go for seven!" Most are smart enough to stifle themselves, but a few groans remain. "Looks like we're going for eight then….BATTALION! ATTEN-TION!"

"GUNSLINGERS!"

"RIGHT FACE!" I command as everyone turns simultaneously. "FORWARD MARCH!" As the mass of humanity starts to move forward, I begin to call out a very old marching cadence that my first sergeant taught to me as a private. "Oh hail, oh hail, o' infantry…."

"OH HAIL, OH HAIL O' INFANTRY…" the entire formation echoes back to me.

"The Queen of Battle, follow me!"

"THE QUEEN OF BATTLE, FOLLOW ME!"

"DOUBLE TIME!" I scream pumping my fist in the air.

"DOUBLE TIME!" everyone shouts in unison, ready to get moving.

"MARCH!" I yell taking off into a run. The entire group follows as we sprint off into the early morning darkness that hides the giant smile on my face. Besides my family, nothing in this world makes me happier than to lead soldiers.