9. Months

The Reconstruction of Panem

"Commander Paylor, it is now my honor to call you President Paylor from this day forward," Plutarch Heavensbee told the young woman from District 8 as they sat across from each other in President Snow's former meeting room.

President Paylor was speechless as she looked directly at the new Secretary of Communications, Plutarch Heavensbee.

"Do you think you can handle the duties and responsibility of being the new President of Panem?" He asked, a wry smile on his face.

Paylor didn't smile back. "I can handle it." Her voice was firm, her expression serious and thoughtful.

President Paylor was victorious in an emergency election where she had competed against the other District leaders. Thankfully, it was a democratic election. It wasn't a horrible fight to the death like the Hunger Games. It was as fair as could be, given the violent and chaotic circumstances that had preceded it.

Katniss had assassinated Coin in front of the entire nation. The arrow had originally been meant for Snow. Paylor had watched the camera images multiple times and knew Katniss' aim was not an accident or coincidence. There was talk about bringing her to trial, but Paylor already planned to pardon her. She had already sent the girl to her home in District 12 with her mentor, Haymitch, for her safety. In the Capitol, Katniss would be a target for any Capitol loyalist embittered from losing the war. Katniss Everdeen had sacrificed so much for the revolution, for Panem as a nation—and yet, she had lost everything—her sister, her reason to live, her soul, her peace…

Paylor sincerely hoped that Katniss would be able to heal from all the pain and trauma that had been thrust upon her from the moment she volunteered in Prim's place. She had witnessed and experienced unbelievable horrors and losses at such a young age, more than what most people see in their entire lifetime. Paylor understood healing as a process and not an event. For Katniss, her healing and grief would probably continue for the duration of her life. Paylor could understand and appreciate that. It's why she wasn't in a rush to execute Katniss despite what other District rebel leaders said about the young teenager known throughout all of Panem as "The Girl on Fire" and "The Mockingjay"—all labels and identities that had been thrust upon Katniss Everdeen, when in reality, she was a young girl forced to think and act like an adult because of the violent world she lived in.

Paylor had strong instincts as to why Katniss fired her arrow at Coin's heart and not Snow…after all, she had permitted Katniss to speak with Snow in his greenhouse and had asked if she had found what she was looking for… However, she knew this was not the time to discuss these matters.

What President Paylor needed to focus on was bringing necessary change to Panem that was long overdue. Seventy-five years of the Districts being violently oppressed and the Capitol's affluence would take immense time, effort, and hard work to change. The war-torn Panem was in shambles. Thousands of citizens from both the Districts and Capitol were dead. Some rebels screamed for more bloodshed. Capitol citizens were terrified. Hundreds of people from both sides were wounded, homeless, starving. President Paylor had a lot of work on her hands. First, we have to stop thinking of each other as the enemy, and start seeing ourselves as a united nation, she thought. No more 'sides' and enough of this Capitol vs. District nonsense.

"Are you ready to be sworn in, President Paylor?" Plutarch asked, interrupting her thoughts. "We will begin the inauguration within the hour. I've already drafted a Treaty of Friendship to begin as a starting point to uniting the Districts and the Capitol." He held up a document.

Paylor nodded, pleased that she and Plutarch were on the same wavelength. "That's a very good start." She still had to adjust to her new title as President Paylor. A short time later, she was sworn in.

"I, Paylor, with the People of Panem bearing witness, will uphold, defend, and respect the Treaty of Friendship; faithfully discharging the duties of my office to the best of my ability, with charity towards all and malice towards none. I, Paylor, promise to do all within my human power to further peace, justice, and democracy; indeed ensuring the safety and protection of the Capitol and each and every District, and for both the Capitol and Districts to be treated equally and fairly, and that Panem remains united today, tomorrow, and forever. This I do solemnly swear."

Within the first week of her term, President Paylor issued her first executive order: abolish the Hunger Games forever. Just as the Capitol's highest officials signed a decree declaring the Hunger Games to be an annual event seventy-five years ago, President Paylor signed a decree forever eliminating the Games. Paylor didn't stop there. She ensured the destruction of all seventy-five arenas and memorials were erected to honor every tribute who had been reaped, killed, or survived. She was present when every arena was being destroyed and requested for Pollux and Cressida to document their demolition as part of Panem's history. The memorials were immediately put in place of the arenas.

In the months after her election, President Paylor began the immense task of bridging the relationships between the Capitol and the Districts. Each District had to nominate an ambassador to represent them. The Capitol also had to nominate an ambassador to work with each District. Altogether, there were twenty-six ambassadors, known as the President's Cabinet. Once a month, the ambassadors would meet in each District. For the first month, January, the meeting would be in District 1, in February the meeting would take place in District 2, and so on. Halfway through the year, all District ambassadors would meet once in the Capitol. District 13 would also be involved. The ambassadors from the Capitol would work together with their corresponding District ambassador they had been assigned to, so that they could review what each District needed.

Plutarch and President Paylor, along with the President Cabinet, started devising a new political system in Panem. One that would involve checks and balances to ensure that President Paylor and future presidents wouldn't have too much power as previous presidents had. This included a three year presidential term. When Plutarch suggested drafting a constitution for Panem, to ensure the rights of all the country's citizens, President Paylor is in full agreement. She gave a presidential address on television that night so that all Panem's citizens are aware of the political changes being brought to the country.

Several months into her presidency, Paylor is satisfied to see Panem make strides to truly become one united nation. The President's Cabinet Members continue to brainstorm different ideas with President Paylor to encourage the cooperation and unity between the Capitol and the Districts. Although the Hunger Games were part of Panem's awful history, President Paylor is determined that that is exactly where the Hunger Games will remain: in the past and as a hard-earned lesson that forced violence on the youth of the nation will never bring about peace; only war, rebellion, destruction, and countless lives lost in its wake.


Author's Notes: The film "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" has a part in the end where Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch watch as Paylor is sworn in as President, however, I didn't remember the entire oath. So after some researching online, I came across a Wikipedia entry called "President of Panem" where it has an oath that I used for this ficlet. I made some changes to it and am giving credit where it's due. I also suggest for Hunger Games' fans to check out this site, as it was very interesting in detailing the politics of Panem. I'm not sure if it's canon from Suzanne Collins, but it's definitely worth a read: iiwiki wiki/ President_of_Panem . Thank you for your continued readership! -Sassy Lil Scorpio