Blood.
The Districts wanted blood. The Capitol's blood, not that anyone sane wanted them to have the option of spilling it all. Alma Coin may not have wanted to get revenge, she wanted power, and for that she'd need to play nice with the Districts. Not rule alone, but allow each to have a voice. Even the Capitol, if now a non-voting member, had a seat at the table.
Each District had their representative at the table, earlier in the morning than most of them would have liked. Prodigy Cortez from One, the man who'd ensured that even if the revolution had taken longer in One than in Eleven or Seven, the district had retained much of her wealth and population. Enough to provide backing to the rebellion, and ensure that while the main host was moving in the east towards the Rockies, One could keep pressure up with campaigns in the sand and rock of Five and along the border with the Capitol. He'd comfortably carried the election, support in the centre beating out hinterland backing of harsher candidates against the Capitol.
Cassius Brooks for Two, the highest ranking peacekeeper defector from the District and thus by process of elimination the highest ranking survivor. Probably, outside of the Capitol themselves, the most sympathetic to their cause, having been aligned with them originally. He was the second-place candidate, the first deemed by Alma Coin too pro-Capitol for her tastes. So the job fell to him, and to his credit he is still somewhat advocating alongside Ravenstill for a better solution than the murder suggested. Nothing too much, or he'd be replaced, but controlled opposition is needed, and he's happy to fill that role if it means he can put the war behind them all as quickly as possible.
Mike Lively from Three, the smallest if not least populated district. Not an initial rebel, which probably secured his credentials among the smaller but present Capitolist blocs in Three. But local, having spent 18 years working in the factories making controls for trains for the Capitol, and the odd wealthier inner District. Not a leader, but definitely a safe option. He'd won with a plurality, and had hoped to plead his case as to why Three needed an upgraded transport network. For now, though, his arguments were shelved, in favour of more pressing issues, and thus he simply let the others talk.
Four's Palaemon Waterman, eyes flicking around at the others with a predatory gleam. He was elected in the lowest turnout of the twelve elections, and whether or not the election was entirely fair is up for debate. For now, at least, he's here. Here, and sitting with a binder full of names. 100, all collaborators, traitors, or other general issues for the new government in Four. He wants them all dead, a full twentieth of a percent of the population in Four. Cortez, Gray and others are eyeing the binder with thinly veiled concern, but none are yet openly dissenting, and some are even nodding in agreement.
Five sends Lark Meadows, a redheaded former city administrator who lost her only daughter to the Games. She's younger than most of those around the table, only thirty or so, with clever grey eyes and a perpetual frown. She, at least, isn't calling for slaughter and bloodshed yet. No, she's been mostly silent, save for the occasional voicing of support for one suggestion or another. Not that that was necessarily a bad thing, because 14 individuals with their own opinions inside a small room is typically not a good thing for anyone. What it does mean is that she seems a swing vote, her mind made up as she glances around.
Six hasn't got a representative yet, train issues from the loyalist policy of destroying as much as they could get their hands on saw to that. Instead, in their place until the rails could be fixed or a hovercraft diverted from more pressing matters, Commander Wainwright of the 6 Independent Security Forces. He's a good soldier, and oversaw the final breakthrough along the lakeshore towards the city centre from the North. What he isn't is a politician, and he's woefully out of his depth as Cortez and Lively argue over whether the border should extend to the water, sat as Three is within One, and Waterman explains his plans to Gray, the latter nodding thoughtfully to suggestions of execution and public torture.
Larch Gray, Seven's pick, is as moderate as can be. Enlightened Centrism, as he calls it. Which means that, in theory, he'll listen to everyone in the room before coming to a decision. It sounds good in practice, but when Lark is pressed for five minutes until she stutters out that she thinks maybe it's going too far to kill 17,250 Capitolites and a similar number of ex-peacekeepers in Two, and Gray suggests they only kill half that, well. It doesn't seem like the best option.
Eight's Juliet Paylor, often opposed to Gray, favoured reconciliation over retaliation. She'd commanded forces in Eight, Two and the Capitol during the war, and was in the camp of not wanting to see any more bloodshed than they absolutely had to. She had more influence than many of the others, by dint of having her troops as the primary peacekeepers. Thirteen had reentered their bunkers, and the other districts with standing forces large enough to take control were dealing with purging the holdouts through the mountains and deserts. So it was left to Eight, who had the manpower to handle the short bursts of outrage that burned through the city.
Nine, in contrast to Eight's moderation, elects Trefoil Jones. His only policy is simple. Revenge. Unlike the relatively fluid warfare in most districts, Nine's vast plains had led to a static slugging match, and being out of the way allowed the other districts to treat it more as a sideshow. A hundred thousand died in the brawls along the rivers, hills and trenches, in the mud and cold. Nine doesn't want a Cortez, a moderate who speaks not of vengeance but of interposition in case of violent outrage. Nine doesn't want a Waterman, hiding what he truly stands for until after he wins. Nine wants Jones, a former field worker and a man who's sole campaign ad had been footage of him with a rifle in hand, firing at distant white figures.
Ten sends Dallas Tanner, great grand-niece of the first victor. Not that she'd received any of the benefits, but it at least connected her to a Victor lineage more than any of the others. Dallas, however, was nothing like her relatives. She'd been on the front line since day one, bolt-action rifle older than her grandparents in hand and using it to alternately shoot and club down Peacekeepers. While not extreme to the extent of Jones, she was still out for blood. She sat at her place, arranged in ascending order, between Jones and Carver. Flicking back her hair and looking between them with a faint frown on her lips, considering what is being said.
Eleven, rounding out the still physically surviving Games Districts, sends Romaine Carver. He's about what you'd expect from Eleven, a well built man with dark skin and a face too old for a body maybe forty or so. He's also among the loudest participants in any conversation, the side he's on not entirely obvious at times. Still, he participates, more that can be said for some.
From Twelve, Hazelle Hawthorne. Not because she'd volunteered, but some joker had put her name in, and with the diaspora as small as it was everyone who'd known her and felt she'd represent them well had been enough to swing the election. She was out of place here, looking around warily at the thirteen others in the room, and not dressed fancily. No, she was probably the one of the group most unlike the ideal of a politician, something which arguably makes her a better representative than any of the others. Still, she takes her seat, relaxing slightly back in the chair. She's the only one to represent a people rather than a geographical area, and as such has a more complicated job.
Thirteen sends Marcus Kaine, a relative moderate by their standards who nonetheless sticks firmly to the District line of the Capitol requiring punishment and reeducation if they are to become good citizens. Thirteen also has representation in Alma Coin, who presides over the meetings with, if anything, a harder eye than Snow did over his own government. Constantly stepping in, constantly using dubious authority to undermine decisions made in favour of what she wants. It's a challenge to be sure, and the glares shot at her in her high chair, staring down at the various arrayed councillors with a proud eye.
Finally, non-voting, Honorius Harcourt from the Capital. He's an older sympathizer, maybe 55, but looking 20 years younger. He has blue hair, golden eyes, and utter defeat in those eyes as he looks around. Under the peace signed, the Capitol gets a vote when a majority of the representatives on the council agree. A dead split has thus prevented this, with Coin in cases of a 1 vote difference able to vote to either keep or end the motion. A power she's used to keep him, and thus by extension the Capitol down.
Which is why he can only watch as Alma Coin stands up, and sets down her manila folder on the table. "Well, my friends. We've won. It's been two weeks since the Capitol fell. But, our people are still thirsty for revenge. To fulfil some desires would see a slaughter beyond compare. Which is why Representative Kaine, and myself, have come up with a proposal. One more Hunger Games, as a ceremonial event. Twenty-four Capitol tributes, selected from the highest families. A show of ending, revenge, allowing people their satisfaction and letting us unite and put the war behind us. We can vote immediately on the proposal, I'd like time before the Execution of former president Snow to prepare, and have a word with our Victors. So, from the left. Representative Cortez?"
Cortez leans back, glancing around the room with a cool eye. "No. We cannot leave to our children a legacy of acquiescence to division and murder. How long until counter-rebels rebel, and you propose that we replay the Games with them? How long until this becomes yearly? Madam President, you can't be serious. I vote no." A sentiment echoed by Brooks, as he shakes his head. "Madam Coin, this isn't what we fought for. We need unity, not a Hunger Games with a different audience. No, and I urge all of you to do the same."
Lively stands, shaking his brown head with a frown. "I agree with you both, I really do. But too many of our people want justice. I'm sorry, and I am sure that Madam Coin will be willing to ensure that nothing happens again. 24 lives, though, weighted against near on eight hundred thousand in the Capitol. If this is what it costs for unity? I vote yes." A thin smile from Coin, as Waterman stands. "You all know my position, my colleagues. You all know I only want justice. You all want it, too. I believe I speak for all of our true feelings, when I say yes."
Lark Meadows next, shaking her head and glaring daggers to her right. "No, Palaemon, you do not speak for all of us. No. I lost a child to those games, I won't condone restarting those, no matter how badly I want to, or how much I trust her that this will be the end. I vote no." Commander Wainwright, nodding in agreement. "Seconded. President Coin, I'm grateful to you and Thirteen for helping us to win our freedom. I understand your goal, for justice. But enough people have died in the Hunger Games. 1,725 Children, 146 from my own district, and three, probably four more, our Victors are gone now. I haven't got exact numbers, but we've probably lost 1,780 or so in total. Do you want another 23 dead, another 24 lives ruined? Everyone?"
A thin smile from Larch Gray, as he nods. "No. I don't. But Alma's right. We need unity. Seven lost almost as many as Six did, Wainwright. A fifth of our dead from the Capitol is a fair trade. Then we can put this mess behind us."
"No! We can't do this. Madam Coin, you helped the districts gain independence. I'll always respect you for that. But this is too far. My forces won't enforce it, and I will not be a part of this. I vote No." Juliet Paylor shakes her head, content to have said her piece, and Coin smiles. A smooth, overly smooth, conciliatory smile, as she inclines her own head "Of course, Juliet. Thirteen will be more than willing to enforce it, your people can go back to Eight. I wouldn't wish to keep them any longer, the war is after all over."
The openings of complaint, of rebellion, were quelled as a soldier, one of Coin's, took up position by the door. Whether lucky timing or planned, it was enough for Coin to move onto Trefoil Jones, a tight frown on his face contrasting with the smug as he speaks, visibly troubled. "President Coin. I agree with you. I saw kids die at the hands of their boys in white, not going to pretend I hold any love for them. However, enough kids have died. Make it adults, and it's a brilliant idea. As it stands, no. Kids shouldn't pay for what their parents did, especially not in no games."
Satisfied smiles on the faces of some, utter disbelief on others, even as the ball moves onto Tanner, who nods, smiles, and votes. "Yes. Let them see what they've done." Romaine Carver simply shakes his head with a "No.", as the ball rolls on to Hazelle Hawthorne.
Who doesn't, despite her thoughts, cut the discussion off with a "No" that would prevent a tiebreaking vote from Coin bringing it to a vote by a different committee. She wants to say no, she really does. But, is it the right decision? Is this really the best option, when so many have died? "I was a mother, during the Games era. I'm sure you all know this. My son was Katniss Everdeen's best friend. I was terrified every year he'd be dragged into the Arena, and I'd have to watch."
Face buried in her hands, she continues. "But I know we need this to end. I know that the Capitol needs to see the issue. So yes."
Another vote for yes from Kaine, and Coin offers a simple nod.
"Well. Given that the difference is one vote, and I'll vote in favour, it's tied. As is encouraged by the new constitution, I will of course take this to a council of those more suited, where a simple majority vote will secure everything. The victors are assembled, and they will be consulted. I'm sure we can reach a decision."
The woman stands, on her way out offering a small smile to the room, taking in faces around the room and then stepping out, met on the other side of the door by two slightly better dressed guards. Identical green uniforms, ceremonial with an added face covering.
The noise afterwards was deafening. Half of the circle was demanding answers, the other half doing so from their other side of the position. Hands were slammed, chairs rasped against floors, the guard at the door shook his head, not intercepting Hawthorne, Paylor or Meadows as they made their exit. He did, however, pick them up on the way through the building, the fourteen politicians guided to a room from which they can watch the execution on big screens, with a plush sofa. Watch as the camera pans to Alma Coin, then to Snow, then to Katniss Everdeen, aiming her bow.
Her stance shifts, ever so slightly upwards, imperceptible to most. Cortez, Brooks and Harcourt take a collective inhale, a slight one through their noses. It's enough to alert the other eleven in the room to the fact things were happening, and as the arrow flies Paylor and Jones are out the door. The woman from Eight soon appears on the massive screen in the front of the room, standing with Heavensbee for two minutes as she calls for calm, for order, for a cessation of the surge that claimed the life of President Snow, and eleven other scattered bodies on the floor. Crushed.
The twelve remaining in the room, seven of whom had voted for the proposed 76th Games, breathe a collective sigh of relief. After all, there was no announcement of any new death games, and so surely the Victors had made a better decision than they did.
Author's Note: I was rereading Mockingjay recently, and noticed for the first time that President Coin had mentioned it was her colleagues, not just her, that couldn't come to a conclusion. So I felt it was necessary to take a look at what actually happened on that fateful day, and asides do help to break up the story a little. If you did find this as a supplement possibly lacking, please do inform me! Plans are in place for a second one (with more direct relations to the preceding games), in a few chapters, so that's coming up (relatively) soon!
