Derek’s features turned stony. “There will be no fighting between teams inside the stadium or outside. Keep your shit to yourself and your hands off each other.” Derek glared at Cypher again while he said the last part.
Cypher’s jaw ticked.
“There will be no changes or leniency on the rules. If you hurt your leg and can’t get into the rig, too bad. There will be no sharing the planet design once it’s been given to you. The planet has a slight change in model for each team and will be easily traced back to whoever it’s been leaked from. That team, or person, will be disqualified immediately and will be ineligible to participate in any future Terraform events, local, national, or otherwise. If you cheat, we’ll know. Don’t fucking cheat. If you’re caught cheating, not only will you be disqualified but we’ll ruin your chances of ever finding a job in the colonization field. This may be a game to you, but whoever wins will potentially have hundreds of thousands of lives put in their hands.”
Derek straightened. “And lastly, have fun, give it your all, and be animated. If you’re boring to watch, then our cameras won’t give you any media time, which could destroy your chances of future opportunities. Our sponsors like a good show. They fund the system and keep this ball rolling so we can all enjoy its outcome. If our sponsors are unhappy, we’re unhappy. Are we all clear?”
Several people mumbled and agreed. Others laughed. Cypher glanced down at Vee beside him and frowned. She was smiling again, despite Derek’s shit, and he wanted to shake her.
She’s too good for this.
Derek’s fake excitement returned. “Everyone, check your NeoElite login!”
There was a rush of movement and murmurings, followed by intense silence. Vee held her wrist in front of her as her screens popped up.
An image of a planet appeared. Audio was suggested so Vee turned hers on when others in the room did.
“Welcome to Laprencia, a planet discovered outside the Andromeda Galaxy. With its unique location and high volume of water, the Earth government has greenlit it for colonization efforts. With one ocean and an abundant landmass, Laprencia is ideal for not only colonization efforts, but also ideal for a military base, an intergalactic port, and has the potential for mining resources.
“Upon initial readings, the environment is safe for humans, and gravity is similar to that of Earth. Clear weather patterns can be viewed from space, with a cycle around its nearby sun to be approximately forty-two hours.
“The one immediate drawback, and what must be achieved for the semi-finals of this year's Terraform Zero games, which will either give you an advantage or disadvantage for the finals, is that Trentian aliens have already begun to colonize this same planet. The Andromeda Galaxy is owned by humans, but Laprencia is on the edge and could be argued that it is out of human jurisdiction. It would make a great diplomatic port for the aliens. The choices you make as a team will either ensure progression to colonize, or could start a war.
“Good luck.
“We wish you the best from the staff of Terraform Zero 18 and 19.”
The audio ended and was replaced with silence. Cypher frowned.Trentians.The idea of encountering one, even a fake one, made his systems surge. Though there’d been hard-won peace between the species for several generations, he and all Cyborgs couldn’t alter the deep codes of animosity they held for them.
He had been programmed to eradicate Trentians, been programmed to win a war that humans were threatened with losing. Logically, he had moved on from that time, but his coding hadn’t. And no amount of updates could suppress them enough to numb him completely.
Diplomacy with Trentians?He sneered.I’d rather destroy them.
A different, darkening hunger bloomed within him at the prospect. One he couldn’t control, try as he might. Cypher’s hands fisted.
Vee stood mutely, staring at the slowly spinning planet in the hologram before her.
Did she know this might happen? The way she gazed at the planet made him think she didn’t.
He glimpsed the others, and it seemed many shared the same concerned expressions.
“Now that all of you have received your quest, on behalf of myself and the Terraform Zero organizers, we suggest you get a good night’s sleep tonight in preparation for the event tomorrow. We wish you well, and oodles of luck. The universe will be watching. That includes potential future employers and our Trentian fans.” Derek turned to leave, and a clamor of people moved to stop him and ask questions.
Cypher put his hand over Vee’s wristcon. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
As he was leading her out of the room, they were stopped by Diatrix.
“What do you want?” Vee asked, narrowing her eyes at the woman.
Diatrix smiled. “Oh, Vee Miles, you’re so cute! I’d never forgive myself if I missed you—”
“Did you hire the cretin who nearly kidnapped Vee?” Cypher interjected.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I only came to wish you two good luck tomorrow.”
“You do know. I know everything there is about you,” Cypher warned. “I know who you’re affiliated with.”
