Hey! We are quickly approaching the bloodbath, we have the interviews, the final night, and the launch chapter! it's all so close!

This one's for the beaten down

The ones who lost their rock and roll

Rise up you lost ones, claim your crown

You were born to rock inside your soul

Welcome misfits, orphans, all

The ones who feel they don't belong

You were made to rock, so stand up tall

Go rock the world and prove them wrong

Zion Tzorin - Head Gamemaker

"Thank you for the coffee Spinner, it's perfect." I sip the hot, but not scalding, beverage with a pleasant smile on my face. It has just the right amount of cream and sugar, I have no idea how she knows how I like my coffee, but it's always a welcomed surprise.

This is always my favorite part of the pre-game stuff. The part where we judge everyone and rank them against each other. Sitting at the meeting table with me I find my first round of game makers: Perpetua, Pablo, Shi-Han, and Damone, and second round of game makers: Ty Lee, Anika, Danny, Mack, Symphony Spinner, and Trimalchio as well as my personal bodyguard Caelreth. To my immediate left Spinner sits wringing her hands nervously. Everyone looks so tense.

"You guys need to lighten up! This is the fun part of the Games! Nobody is getting fired or decapitated until we're watching the tributes fight. So everyone take a deep breath." No one moves. "Ok let me try that again take a deep breath or I'll personally execute all of you." Everyone's shoulders rise and the air pressure in the room seems to drop. "Hold it for a second. No exhale slowly." They obey. "There doesn't everyone feel a little bit better now? I know I do!" I laugh. "Y'all are in a shitty mood today."

"Sir, I think it would be best if we just got down to business. Everyone's just a little anxious sir." Spinner quietly speaks to me.

"Thank you Spinner, remember your place though. I run this operation not you, got it?" I stare at her and see her tremble.

"Yes, of course sir. My apologies sir." She avoids meeting my gaze and stares at the table. Everyone has been extra terrified of me recently, not sure why.

"Welcome everyone I assume you all know why we're here." I get a few nods but mostly nondescript silence. "So do we want to start with District One or Twelve? Or put numbers out of a hat?" More silence. "Did you ass holes forget how to speak or something?"

"Perhaps we should start with the careers, they show lots of promise this year." Behind me Caelreth's steady voice finally offers me a response.

"Thank you Caelreth! Finally someone knows how to talk around here." I grab my clicker and activate the holo-deck in the middle of the table. Suddenly a life sized hologram of Raphael Varach come to life holding a rapier and a humble grin. "Opinions?"

"He's the leader of the careers this year, that must have taken a lot of chagrin. Plus he's handy with those swords." Damone speaks up.

"This is all true, but his district partner has his balls in her back pocket." Anika, always the feminist.

"These are good points but I need numbers you guys." I try to keep things on topic.

"Seven."

"Nine."

"You both bring up good points so I'll split the difference and give the kid an eight, he might have the muscles and heart of a nine but his head isn't in it." I click and Aquamarine Rizzoni stands before us. "Now she is something else am I right?"

"Twelve." Ty Lee joins the conversation. Everyone stares at her stunned, no one has suggested a twelve since 5 or 6 years ago.

"Reasoning?"

"Well you already said why. She has the career leader begging for her help and she's vicious. No one has ever came in here and tried to throw halberds before. They're a foot taller than she is and she wields them better than anyone else can wield their respective weapons this year. I've never seen a better display than hers." Her voice is honest.

"How about we give her an eleven instead of a twelve? I think we can all agree we were impressed with her, but there's something off about her. Like she might use her nails to rip someone's throat out."

"Is there anything wrong with that?" Ty Lee responds.

"I said eleven and my word is law." I sternly reply. "Caius Rhodes. If that dummy was a person, weapon or not, he reduced them to pulp. I love this guy."

"I think that a ten would be fair to him. Especially compared to the other tributes he's got brute strength on his side and he at least knows how to use a weapon if he decides that punching isn't the way to victory." Perpetua's voice sounds silky smooth. I nod in agreement with her.

"Any dissent?" When no one else speaks up I tap in ten and click to Aurora Rupp.

"She's the only person who knows how to use a bow with any proficiency. I think a ten would be fitting."

"But think in comparison to her district partner, we're giving him a ten. Do we really think that if those two went at it she'd be able to take him. I vote nine." Trimalchio has always been a reasonable man, I take his point with ease.

"But you have to admit she is the hottest tribute we have this year!" Pablo grins like a pervert. "Gotta admit that counts for something!"

"It counts during the chariots, and she was bland compared to others. A nine will suffice for her." I quickly click to the boy from District Three. "Maximus Treiglad. What do we think of this little engine that could?"

"I really like him. He's got fire and he's pretty smart all considered." Ty Lee says.

"I agree, he's smart and he wasn't uncomfortable with the knife he had. This one might hold some promise. I would give him a six." Perpetua suggests.

"Six is good. It's also what I've decided for his district partner." I click to Mel. "She's not the smartest or fastest but she's a quick learner and seems competent enough." Next Adrian Mariner half dressed with a trident stands in the center.

"He is a sexist bigot and I want him dead." Anika's voice is cold, heartless. One of the main reasons why I like her.

"You're just salty because he ripped his shirt off and winked at you. Relax, did you even pay attention to what he did after he took his shirt off? The kid can use a trident. Damn well too." Danny defends the boy. "Yes, he's inappropriate, and immature but he can use a trident and should get at least a nine, if not more."

"Immaturity isn't a strength Danny." Anika retorts.

"No, but confidence is." He replies back.

"Hmmm. What does someone else think? Eight, nine, or ten?" I seek another opinion. When no one immediately answers I ask Caelreath. "What do you think. You love the careers."

"I'd give him a nine sir. He's strong, but stupid, and in comparison of size he's the smallest boy of the three." I nod my head considering his point.

"True. Nine it is. How about Destiny? Our little rebel."

"She's too rash. She thinks everything is under control but her demonstration proved she can't handle herself." Damone speak up once again.

"That's true but she was trying impressive feats. She went for it when not many other people would." Perpetua rebuttals.

"Others wouldn't try it because she was throwing spears at the archery station. Of course she bit off more than she could chew and got caught up in the moment. I say six for lack of self control."

"Six seems a little too harsh to me. If she didn't throw the blatant miss I think we would have been impressed with her. But for her actions and poor judgement she shouldn't receive the nine I would give her. Eight will suffice." My voice rings out with finality as Ripley Harker stands before us. "What about her ally?"

"Easy ten." Shi-Han voices her opinion for the first time. "If that's what we gave Caius it's what this kid should get too. In a fist fight, I don't know who would win."

"That's being too generous. Yes, he's strong but he's obviously never handled a weapon like the broadsword he used. Plus he doesn't have the mindset of a killer." Mack says.

"You think he would let someone live?" Shi-Han challenges.

"That's not what I said." Mack replies. "Ten is too much. I say seven or eight and be done with him."

"I agree with" I think over their arguments quickly. "Mack. Let's go with eight. His district partner hasn't exactly been the smartest player. How do we feel about the leader of the littles alliance?" Everyone laughs a little bit before Pablo raises his voice.

"Give her a five there's nothing special about her but she isn't a total lost cause either. Maybe the arena will break her once the little boys start dropping like flies." When no one disagrees I click five and move on. "We will also be giving Evander a five. The boy learned a lot about poison and his run on the gauntlet wasn't a let down it was just underwhelming." Kinley Mathers stands strong in the center. "She is a wildcard."

"My intel is very certain that she threw her session on purpose and can really throw knives really well." Perpetua, always the connected one.

"Do we reward this behavior with a three, the score she wants? Or do we make her target number one by giving her an eleven?" The panel remains quiet for a few moments. I continue, "I'm inclined to give her what she wants. After all she's done a good job hiding it."

"Sir, I agree. She's playing her game. We should watch how it plays out. For the drama." Spinner meekly agrees with me.

"Is this how you all feel?" Everyone but Caelreth nods. "Good. Three for her. The pair from District Seven are promising aren't they?" I make it so both Levi and Jamie are in front of us. "I can't justify giving one a higher score than the other since I'd flip a coin to see who wins. Six, seven, or eight?"

"Seven, for kicks of course!" Perpetua starts to laugh.

"They not as strong as the eight's we've given. Seven fits best." Pablo agrees.

"You two rarely agree on anything, I'm not going to let the rare occasion slip by! Seven's it is!" Thaniel Wellington replaces them.

"Of the little ones he's the best. He's the only one who has even touched a knife. Plus he demonstrated a mastery of plants during his session. I say a six." Trimalchio offers.

"By virtue of touching a knife doesn't mean that he's inclined to use one Trim. Give him a four. Anyone could step on him and do irreparable damage." Mack suggests.

"You both bring up good points, either way I think he'll end up dead." Everyone laughs a little bit. "Let's give him a five for kicks. Now how about the volunteer from District Stupidity?" Cecelia is front and center.

"She's obviously never thrown a knife before she got here." Danny says.

"Her volunteering still makes no sense." Mack adds.

"You want me to give her a one for bad judgement? I need numbers people." I say.

"I think five is what she earned. Very average performance, especially compared to other people." Ty Lee yawns. "I think it's very fair."

"I agree." I click five and Rio Tynder appears. "He was impressive."

"Now Zion, was he entertaining or impressive?" Danny say with a challenging tone.

"I said impressive Daniel, and I say what I mean is that understood?" My voice goes cold.

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir. Trying to be fair is all." He avoids my eyes.

"Am I not fair enough for you Danny? Is there something you would like to say? I would love to hear your opinion in my office when we're done." He knows what the means.

"Of course sir." Empty. He sounds empty. My threats are not hollow, and I will not be made a fool of in front of my most respected workers.

"Rio gets a seven. Done and done. What about Karam?"

"She's weak, forgettable. I honestly don't remember what she did." Pablo never did have a long attention span. "I would say a three or a four max."

"Anika what's your opinion?" She usually gives the girls a little bit more of a buffer.

"Honestly, a four. Being generous." She lowers her head sullenly.

"Good. Four goes to Karam. Now Dustin. He didn't exactly wow us with his plant display, but it was at least funny. I would equate him to Karam so unless someone objects I'm giving the kid a four as well." No one dissents to my pleasure. I bite my tongue as Solonor joins us. "Did anyone else think that Solonor's speech deserves her a one?" I flashback to the girl lecturing us on how 'rude, cold hearted, and just plain trashy' we are.

"She has fire sir." Perpetua says. "Let's not reward her, but a one is too weak for her. Give her a three and let her deal with that. It's enough to say that she tried but she failed." She brings up a good point. If I give her a one then it's obvious that the Head Gamemaker is taking it out on her, a three however makes he just plain weak.

"Three. Deal. Ferro Tetran, the mayor's son and the first volunteer District Eleven has had in living memory. I think six any other suggestions?"

"He seemed comfortable with the machete he was swinging around, I think that six is perfect." Shi-Han says. "I would suggest the same for Abrianna. She knows a lot about plants and wasn't awkward holding the scythe."

"I would say seven." Anika chimes in.

"Six."

"Seven."

"Sorry Anika, we're going with six. Cinder. What do we do with him?" I ask my council.

"Can someone please remind me what he did?" Mack asks.

"He tied the most basic notes and then walked out, didn't even use his whole time. Just a few slip knots and then gone." I inform her.

"Well knots are good for something, a two simply because a one is cruel." Mack is met with a few nods.

"Lastly Shelby Carmella." Finally the end.

"I think a four is being good enough to her, it's not too crazy and agrees with her general averageness." Says Damone.

"Deal. We're officially done with these pricks! Congrats! Now before we leave, I want to know who you think will win. Each of you can leave after you give me your answer." I smile deviously. I always enjoy hearing their opinions.

"I have my money on Aquamarine. She's the deadliest one and she won't hold back." For some reason it doesn't suprise me that Anika picked the highest scoring girl.

"Sir, I have to disagree with Anika. Aquamarine may be the one we scored highest but I believe that Caius Rhodes will hold up to the pressure better and prevail." Caelreth says with vigor. He does love the careers.

"What about you two? Pablo, you and Perpetua hardly ever agree on anything, is this year different?" Everyone laughs slightly.

"Sorry Zion we're on opposite sides of the field for this one. I'm banking on Aurora, she's beautiful. Plus if you look at what they're favorite weapons are she's the only one who will be killing from far away."

"While my brother has a good point, I'm actually going with Rio. I love this kid, he's got heart and I think at the end of the day when it comes down to it he'll be able to give us an amazing show." She nods. As much as I adore Perpetua, she really is the worst at picking future victors.

"I think you're both full of it. Destiny has this one down." Everyone stares at Trimalchio waiting for an explanation. "She escaped the volatility of the careers and can still use weaponry effectively. I'm making a prediction now, while Raphael and Aquamarine are fighting over who has to guard the supplies it will be Destiny racking up the kills."

"Fair enough Trim. I wouldn't bet on it, but it's your gold now isn't it?" Everyone laughs. "Shi-Han what about you? You usually have interesting picks." She postulates for a minute silently mulling over her options.

"I'm a fan of Ripley, Levi, and Destiny. That being said I think Ripley will claim victory. He's a no bullshit tribute."

"You're actually all wrong." Damone says. "Raphael is the leader for a reason. He's a charmer and despite getting the lowest career score he's got skills. In both the social and physical field. Plus I see him breaking down the least out of everyone."

"Ty Lee? Mack? Opinions?" I question them.

"Well sir. You know I'm a fan of the underdog, and the ultimate underdog in this game is Levi. He is the underdog of the underdog alliance. I'll be watching him closely."

"I find Ferro to be an inspiring character, I'm rooting for him. To volunteer like that makes a huge political statement and he's not weak, maybe weak minded, but we've all seen what the arena can do to those people. I have high hopes and expectations for him."

"You ladies realize with picks like those you'll never win any of our bets or make any gold?" Everyone laughs. "You're all dismissed. Danny I still expect to see you in my office." I stand up and crack my back as everyone explodes into casual chatter. The burden of scoring tributes is finally over.

"Sir, would you like me to come to your office as well?" Spinner comes up to like an obedient pup.

"No, I can handle this one. Nothing too crazy. Wait for me here though." I leave her standing there and walk down the hall to my office. Head Gamemaker: Zion Tzorin. The gold plated door tag has a nice ring to it. Sometimes I still can't believe that I got this gig. The political implications of every little thing I do is, unnerving. I grab the ornate handle and find that Danny is already sitting in the seat across my desk with his head lowered.

"Hello sir." He greets me sullenly.

"Hello Daniel. So you never answered my question, who do you think will win the Hunger Games." He stares at me, confused.

"Adrian Mariner. He's strong and the Capitol loves him."

"Very good. Do you know why you're sitting here right now?" I sit down on my leather spinny chair. Spinner got it for me. I'm still in love with that irony. Symphony Spinner got me a spinning chair that plays music. God, love it.

"No sir."

"You challenged my authority and judgement in front of everyone. Do you enjoy making me look like a fool? Do you enjoy making threats to the second most powerful man in the world? Does it give you a rush Daniel?" I badger him with questions. He never had the strongest resolve and for a moment I fear he might actually cry.

"I'm not trying to make any threats or anything, I was just trying to voice my opinion. I'm new to this gamemaker shit and I'm sorry." He weeps in front of me. I smirk.

"You're weak Daniel. I have no need for weakness." We sit for a minute. Myself in silence, him bawling. "What should we do with you?"

"I don't know sir." He manages between sobs.

"Well it's a good thing I do. Get over here." He rises and drags his sorry ass over to my chair. "Show me your arm."

"Sir no. Please anything but that. Please I don't want to." He starts backing away in fear.

"It's either this or I'll kill you. I'll kill your husband, and your two lovely kids, and your dogs, and I'll make it look like one huge accident. Is that what you want?" He falls onto the floor in a sorry heap of a broken man. But he sticks his arm out to me, defeated. "Good boy. That wasn't too hard now was it?" I pull the syringe from my desk and inject him with the same meds I'm prescribed too. Lately I've found they're a great tool for controlling people.

"How do you feel now?" I toss the syringe in the garbage as he rises a new man. His eyes are dead, his face is neutral, and I know his mind is operating like never before.

"I feel fine sir." He replies in a monotonous voice.

"Very good. Now I want you to take the rest of the day off. Go home, kiss your husband, tell him I said hi, and make an amazing dinner for your family. Tuck your children into bed and kiss their foreheads because you love them so very much and tomorrow be here ready to work and know that if you ever try to challenge me again that everyone you've ever loved will die before your eyes is that understood?"

"Yes sir, thank you. Your fairness has never escaped me." Danny bows to me without an ounce of rebellion in him.

"Send Symphony in would you?" He nods as he exits. It takes a few minutes of relaxing in my chair before the redhead comes in.

"You know the answer to my question don't you Spinner?"

"Depends on the question sir." She sits down and crosses her legs professionally.

"Who will win the Hunger Games."

"Whoever you want to sir." I lean back in my chair and smile.

"You've come a long way."

"Thank you sir."

Rock what you got

Rock what you got

Don't ever let them make you stop

Rock what you got

Light up the lot

No one can rock the way you rock

Raphael Varach - 8

Aquamarine Rizzoni - 11

Caius Rhodes - 10

Aurora Rupp - 9

Maximus Treiglad - 6

Mel Jake - 6

Adrian Mariner - 9

Destiny Champlin - 8

Ripley Harker - 8

Eleni Swift - 5

Evander Lazonik - 5

Kinley Mathers - 3

Levi Carter - 7

Jamie Oakley - 7

Thaniel Wellington - 5

Cecelia Maybel - 5

Rio Tynder - 7

Karam Ajax - 4

Dustin Cooper - 4

Solonor Thelandir - 3

Ferro Tetran - 6

Abrianna Fienuar - 6

Cinder Minear - 2

Shelby Carmella - 4

so quick note, so many people suggested the same score, I tried to keep them as close to the numbers that were suggested but some didn't make sense and so many people asked fo had to spread it out, so if you're salty I'm sorry but it's my story :P

the lyrics are from Rock What Ya Got by superchick!

see you in a few with the interview chapter!