Hello all. Thanks for reading. I updated last chapter to include more of Spock's abilities (thanks goes to startrekgirl.m who gave me a list of Spock's many accomplishments). Other than that the chapter was not changed. I hope it works; I've never actually gone back and changed something before. At least, not that I can remember. I will be updating on Friday of this week (first taste of the arena!) because I will be gone for winter vacation next Sunday. After this week, I hope to go back to normal updates. –SpockSnapeStephen; 12/18/11
Leonard McCoy sat in the audience wedged in between the captain and a stocky man about his own age with blond, wavy hair. Doctor McCoy supposed the man was Peeta Mellark. District Thirteen mentors would have been between District Twelve and District Enterprise but, according to Spock, no one from Thirteen had won since they reinstituted the Games.
"Say, you must be Leonard McCoy," Peeta said warmly, "I'd heard we had some visitors from the sky."
Doctor McCoy smiled back. It was easy to talk to this man.
"Yes. I'm McCoy and this is the captain of the Enterprise, Captain Kirk."
Kirk tuned into the conversation, "How do you do?" Peeta's smile turned a tad tight and somewhat sad.
"Same old, same old," he said, "I don't think Gemma's and my tributes are very good this year. That's Nuria, our female tribute." Peeta pointed to a blue-eyed girl looking nervously around her, wiping her palms on her short navy dress.
"And that's Aidan." This time Peeta was pointing at a too thin, black-haired boy in a tuxedo.
"At least Nuria's from the merchant's part of town so she hasn't been starving her whole life," the District Twelve mentor said bitterly, "but Aidan's from the Seam. He's never had enough to eat." Peeta sighed.
"You're rich. Can't you give them some of your things?" Doctor McCoy asked, expecting the man to recoil in horror and say something like "My things? To them?" but he didn't.
"My wife tried that a time ago. It wasn't as successful as we had hoped…" He trailed off, probably going to an unhappy place with even unhappier memories.
Doctor McCoy cleared his throat.
"So, is this Ms. Stone?"
"Hm? Oh yes. Gemma," he nudged the woman with auburn hair sitting next to him and she turned, "This is Doctor McCoy and Captain Kirk."
Gemma nodded, her eyes tired.
"Pleased to meet you," she said.
"And you," the captain replied graciously. Their conversation was cut off by Caesar Flickerman, the host of Welcome to Panem and the Hunger Games. For the current Games, he was dressed in a moss green suit with pale green lips, eyelids, and contacts. His hair was slicked back with grease and was dyed forest green.
"Welcome to the 124th Hunger Games interviews! I'm your host, Caesar Flickerman, and this year we have twenty-eight tributes so let's get cracking! First up!" Alanna tapped the District One male on the shoulder and moved to stand behind the female tribute.
"What's your name?" inquired Caesar kindly.
"I'm Navid Maul," the boy said. He had green eyes and a medium build. His skin was tanned, though obviously not from working outside in the fields all day. District One was too good for that.
"Now, District One produces luxury goods for the Capitol. How do you feel seeing all of your district's work being used?"
"It's great. I mean, we work so hard for all the citizens and it's just awesome to see how happy people are with them. How about those plush massage chairs, eh?" joked Navid.
The crowd cheered. 'Lax Plush Massage chairs (so 'laxing your muscles will thank you) were all the rage in the Capitol. Several important guests were seated in them on the balconies currently.
"District One is typically a Career district. Are you planning on joining?" asked Caesar Flickerman.
"Oh yeah. Careers almost always win. Just look at our own President Flint. She was a Career and you could say she won multiple times. First the Games, then presidency so anything could happen once I win, you know?" The buzzer sounded and Navid returned to his seat, passing Maxandria but not saying a word. People of all types went up. Funny, witty, sexy, strong and silent, lean and mean, quick, intelligent. But only one kind angle.
Because kindness doesn't win the Hunger Games.
"District Five, come on up!" Alanna tapped the boy and then, when the buzzer rang, the girl.
"So, you're Miriam Gallucci, right?" Caesar confirmed.
"Yes sir." Miriam had curly, chocolate brown, medium-length hair that framed her light olive face. Overly large, pale blue-green eyes stood out drastically.
"No need for formalities. We're among friends."
"If you say so sir," Miriam said reluctantly.
"What's going to be your angle for the Games?" questioned Caesar. Miriam seemed to open up a little.
"Well, I'm hoping to make an alliance with some people and stick with them. I don't really want to hurt anyone so I'm going to evade mostly," she said with a shy smile.
"What has been your favorite part of coming to the Capitol?" Caesar asked gently, trying to ease her nervousness.
"All the people. All the servants are so nice; it's fun to talk to them and hear their stories," Miriam said, finally warming to Caesar. He really does try to help the tributes out, McCoy thought.
"Like what? Oh, that's the buzzer! Hope to see you back here again Miriam," Caesar said sincerely.
"Likewise," she murmured. McCoy was once again plunged into the world of exotic, playful, eccentric, wily, and overall unique people. He was almost zoning out until Alanna tapped on Spock's shoulder. He stood up and walked to the host, sitting in one smooth movement.
"Now you're the first tribute from a different planet. The young lady was born on a planet a lot like our own but I've heard your planet has very different customs. Why don't you tell us about them?" instructed Caesar curiously.
"I come from the planet Vulcan. It has a hotter and drier climate than Panem. Most of the surface is desert and mountains. The planet has a thinner atmosphere and stronger surface gravity than this one. As a result, the inhabitants are physically stronger, faster, and more durable than humans. Vulcans are also more logical and less emotion-driven," said Spock, his face seemingly uninterested but McCoy could tell Spock was studying Caesar Flickerman.
"Do you think that unemotional perspective on things will help when you're fighting in the Games?" inquired Caesar.
"Most likely; however, the majority of Vulcans are pacifists so I will endeavor to abstain from fighting," Spock pointed out.
" Really? If possible, would you rather have had someone volunteer for you so you wouldn't have to kill?"
"No," Spock stated firmly, "Because of my heritage I am one of the best people to have been picked as tribute. I would have no one else volunteer for me."
"It's too bad we can't talk about the twelve you scored. That may be first in Hunger Games history. I know it's a first since we started up again. Wow. A twelve." Caesar shook his head in astonishment and the bell rang.
"Next we have Lieutenant Nyota Uhura!" Uhura stepped up in a brilliant red gown. Jove had put extensions in her hair and made it up into a messy bun.
"Hello Caesar," she said pleasantly. Doctor McCoy realized he had butterflies in his stomach. Though he wasn't up there, it was nerve-wracking.
"Where are you from? What's it like there?" Caesar prompted amiably.
"I'm from a planet called Earth. It's a lot like Panem but there are many different countries. I come from a part of Earth called the United States of Africa. It's quite large actually." Caesar leaned forward.
"A little bird told me you like to sing, is that right?" Uhura nodded.
"How about you sing something for us?"
Uhura's eyes opened a little wider, "Right now? Um, okay." She threw a look at Spock and a little smile played about her lips.
"Oh, on the starship Enterprise, there's someone who's in Satan's guise. Whose devil's ears and devil's eyes could rip your heart from you!" Uhura sang sweetly. Only someone who knew her noticed it was a little too sweet, as she was completely messing with Spock.
"That was wonderful! Can I get a round of applause?" Caesar motioned for the audience after Uhura finished a verse.
Once the storm of clapping abated, Caesar asked, "You work as communications officer on the Enterprise, correct? What does that job entail?"
"Well," Uhura started, "It's not all just saying "Channel's open, Captain." You have to be able to fix your panel. You have to know different kinds of radio waves and how to work everything perfectly because if you accidentally cut off communications with a hostile enemy ship, many lives could be lost. And those are just some of the things you have to be able to do."
"Seems you certainly lead an exciting life." Caesar was cut off by the buzzer.
"Alright. That was our last contestant. Everyone give a hand for our tributes!" The anthem begins to play as the crowd gets to their feet. McCoy and Kirk started to file out after the anthem, searching for Spock and Uhura. You know, McCoy thought, Things might just turn out okay.