Race For The Crown

Prolouge

A/n: this sucks and is kinda short, but it works, so here!

Happy reading!

Kennedy Space Center, Florida June 15, 2035

***

I pace back and forth, worried. There hasn't been any news of the crew returning yet. No news of what is going on.

The old control room is a blur as I pace back and forth. The brown desks are covered in computers and chairs are pushed in. They're all facing the big screen in the front.

"Commander Tyler!" I hear as Tristan rushes into the room. "We've found them!"

My heart leaps out of my chest as I run to him. "Where were they?"

"They landed in the Atlantic Ocean, right off of our coast! They were found alive."

"Thank goodness." I whisper. "Get them here as soon as possible! I want to hear about the trip!"

"Don't worry sir, they are already on their way!"

Tristan rushes out of the room, and I feel myself collapse in relief. They're alive. The possibly most important space mission crew in history are alive.

I pull the nearest chair out and collapse into it. I've been awake the whole night, stressing and stressing. No one but me, Tristan, Natalie, Rebecca, and of course, the crew, knew about this mission. No one could help if something went wrong.

I feel myself drift into a sleep, repeating to myself, They're alive, they're alive, they're alive.

***

"He's been told." I whisper to Natalie, wrapping my arms around her neck as she holds her phone in front of her. Rebecca's hologram hovers in front of us.

She nods up at me and continues talking to Rebecca. "And you're sure they're alive?" She asks.

Rebecca's hologram nodded. "They're alive and well. We're on a plane to you right now."

"What did they say?" I ask.

"They said that there was life on the planet. But they're a very divided species, and need someone to lead them. Someone who could unite them, or they might all die out."

"No adult on this planet is cut out for ruling an entire world." Natalie says.

"No, but..." Rebecca starts.

"What?" Me and Natalie ask in unison.

"What about teenagers?" She asks, her eyes sparkling.

"Teenagers can barely live their own lifes, let alone rule a world." I scoff.

"And how do you know this? You're too old to remember being a teen." Rebecca retorts back.

"I'm only 43." I respond, the dark room feels cold as she fights back.

"Hear me out." She responds. "We take 12 of the smartest teenagers from around the world and send them on a race across the planet. Whoever wins will get to be crowned king or queen.

"It would be a race." Natalie says.

"Better than that," Commander Tyler says as he walks into the room. "It would be a Race For The Crown."