Chances of her dying from an arrow shot are slim.

Add that to everything the previous poster said. Tally gets the logical vote; I’m guessing Katniss is gonna win the popular vote.

1) Why are both sites so biased towards Katniss? While I admit I know very little about the character, it seems the same is true about the authors of these fanfics regarding Tally. Much of her abilities (and even state of being) are omitted.

2) Why is the story being written in third-person limited omniscient? In other words, why is the reader able to discern Katniss’ thoughts, and not Tally’s? Tally is made out to be robotic and emotionless. When presented with a goal like the one in this short story, she can be, but even in the heat of combat, she brings a definite personality to the table.

I feel duty-bound to point out aspects of Tally’s repertoire which would have secured her victory in this case. Firstly, Tally is NOT human. She was, for the first sixteen years of her life. Now, though, she is more Borg than human. After becoming Special, microscopic machines–nanites–were injected into her body, forming cybernetic implants which regulate her vital functions, repair damage, and augment abilities. If she is injured, the nanites in her bloodstream swarm to the location of the injury and repair it. Good example: Near the end of “Specials,” Tally jumped off a precipice with only Crash Bracelets to stop her fall. These are small devices attached to the wrists, which will break a fall of about ten feet, spinning the user to counter inertia. A fall from over a hundred feet however, would rip the arms out of the sockets of a normal person. Tally however, survived–wounded, yes, but she survived.

Secondly, her entire skeletal structure was replaced with an extremely durable material used in orbital spacecraft, rendering her bones nearly indestructible. A galvanized (sharpened) version of the material replaced her teeth and fingernails. Tally can consume almost any known substance for sustenance, and her fingernails can shred steel.

Third, the Specialization operation enhanced Tally’s reflexive abilities and added a near-extrasensory awareness. She can hear the breathing of her prey, its heartbeat, and any movement it makes. Her ears can pick up on the “twang” of an arrow being loosed, and her razor-sharp reflexes allow her to catch the arrow in midair.

Lastly… I feel I must point out that Tally’s attitude in the story is grossly misrepresented. Tally would never stand face-to-face with a dangerous opponent and exchange threats with him or her. A Special’s directive is to warn the offender of their error and then take action. Tally’s only words would be, “I don’t want to hurt you, but I will if I have to.” And if Katniss refused to submit, she would have a hellish fight ahead of her.

Some tips to defeat Tally:
Specials have enhanced senses. These senses can be overloaded through clever use of riot-control devices, such as flashbangs, gas, powder, etc…

Don’t go for the obvious kill. Stun her first, then cripple her by gouging her eyes or slashing her throat, though the latter may be made difficult by the Special’s use of a “Sneak Suit,” which can either camouflage or defend by converting itself into armor. Poison is practically useless against a Special. Direct conflict DOES NOT WORK against a Special. Guerrilla tactics or hit-and-run-like-hell scenarios are Katniss’ best bet.