The Capitol Bachelorette!

Benedict Tucker waited until he was literally standing outside of the conference room door to button up his white uniform and smooth down the front. It was still wrinkled and ill fitting (he’d chosen a size too large on purpose). At least he didn’t have to wear his helmet. He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d donned it; for the last year or so, after he’d been promoted, he’d mostly been dealing with Peacekeeper movements and strategy. High level stuff. He should have been very proud.

But mostly meetings were boring, and he was positive this one would be no exception.

“The Capitol has been leading up to this event for decades. Just think about it. All of these eligible young victors, each one more fair than the last,” the woman in front of the projector was saying when Benedict walked in. He leaned against the back wall, watching her flip through her presentation. The images glowed in the dim lighting: Saffron in a field of flowers, Patricia brooding in a library, Katelyn against a wheat field. Benedict swallowed a yawn just as the lights came up.

“And that is why we have decided to kick off the first season of… The Capitol Bachelorette!”

The room erupted in cheers. A bureaucrat slapped Dick on the back before he realized who he’d hit in his jubilation.

“Pardon me?” Benedict asked once, just bellow the din. “HEY!” He bellowed, bringing the room to silence. “Why am I even here if all you want is a pageant show?”

“Oh, Captain Tucker, it’s just so much more than that. And we’re going need plenty of security this week, not just for our Bachelorette, but also her suitors.”

“You want to kick this off now!? Who’s the lucky girl?”

“Why… Katelyn Persimmon of course.”