Prototype Dorian

25.

Fifth day of the Selection

I lost.

The fact dawns on me as I wake up to a white pristine ceiling and a distinct antiseptic smell. I must have passed out during the match and ended up in the medical examination room.

I lost.

I lost the Selection, the match I have been working my entire life towards winning. I lost to Morgan, yet again.

I should be devastated, but I can't seem to find that feeling in me. Instead, I feel... neutral? No, more than neutral. I am... at peace. Even happy, if I dare admit it.

Morgan deserves to win and ascend to NovaTopia. They are the better fighter—they've always been—and they worked hard for this. I'm happy that they won.

And I still made it to the finals anyway. I'll still get to ascend even if I don't go to NovaTopia. Space Shuttle 3 and 4 were built after NovaTopia and are known to be great places to live in. I've even heard that Space Shuttle 4 is the best residential space station apart from NovaTopia. USA-Hernandez Shuttle is the oldest shuttle, so while the facilities are outdated, it would still be an exciting experience to live in the first-ever residential space station.

As for the UN Shuttle and the New Research Shuttle... Well, they're the least popular shuttles because they are heavily research-focused. But maybe I'll get to learn about cool science?

And if I don't like the place I end up in, I can return to the Tower, right? Like how Ryan did? Although Ryan was able to do that because he was promoted to general the moment he became a NovaTopian resident. Are other residents of the shuttle granted the same privilege?

"You're awake."

Morgan's voice jolts me from my thoughts. Relief washes over me.

"Hey," I say as they drag a chair next to my bed. "I visited you last time, and now it's your turn, huh?"

"And your room is so much nicer than mine." Morgan positions the chair in the opposite direction, such that the back of the chair is in front of them and they can lean on it. "Must be nice to have a general as a brother who can pay for your lifestyle."

I glance around the room. It is a lot bigger than the one Morgan was in. In the corner, there's a medical bot parked and on standby.

"He cared enough to pay for me?"

"He was worried for you."

"Then where is he?"

"The generals are all talking to the Board of Directors now. The winners will be announced soon. You woke up just in time."

Oh, right. The winner of the Selection has not yet been officially announced, even though we all know who won. My smile widens."Congratulations, Morgan. I knew you'd win."

They beam at me. I've never seen such genuine joy in their eyes. "You made me fight so hard for it, Lara."

"You told me to not go easy on you."

"I did, but I didn't expect you to overheat and pass out like that."

Was that what happened? I shake my head and chuckle. "I guess I'm too weak to win."

Morgan's smile fades. "What are you talking about? You are incredibly strong, Lara. You had to endure so much pain to use that Gift."

I look down at my palms. They're smooth and pale, without a single burn mark. No longer "gross", as Joaquin put it. "It was painful," I admit. "At least it was pretty cool while it lasted."