By 2422, humankind has achieved an ecotopian climate-positive future. There's zero conflict and zero waste throughout the whole world. But, when a young girl starts having mysterious visions of a walled city, it might signal the ancient return of so...
Except it's not me. I do a double-take. It does look like me – the same round face, thick hair, and dark eyes - but it's a drawing, not an actual holographic image.
'Will you please listen?' He persists. I nod.
'Everything okay here?' Cole stands over the both of us. Ugh, I wish this guy would just go away.
'It's fine. We're just talking about giant squid.' I lie, grab Dace's arm and drag him over to one of the tables. Coral One looks over at us and grins. I know what she's thinking – that we're going off on a date together -but she couldn't be further from the truth.
'Where did you get that drawing?' I ask wearily. I don't trust him - not one bit.
'Let me start at the beginning. It might take a while.' Dace says slowly like I can't keep up.
Before he can start though, we are suddenly summoned for a second round of tests in the afternoon.
That evening, I can see Fox Two waiting for me. He has a huge crab stuck to one of his feeding tentacles, which he proudly slurps when he sees me. I laugh and clap as I go to the panel to say a proper hello to him. His trip halfway around the world to follow me seems to have done him some good. At least he's catching his food now. Coral One comes over to the panel and wants to know everything that happened with Dace.
'Zee, you're a fast worker! You already snagged the best-looking boy here. Not that I mind, of course, I've got my eye on Azure.'
'Coral, it's not like that, really.'
'C'mon, you have to admit he's really cute!' That part is true and I admit it grudgingly to her.
He is the best-looking boy here. Who also happens to hate me for some reason. I groan silently
As much as I like Coral One and appreciate her friendship, I'm unsure if I can trust her yet, so I make up a story that Dace is just interested in what it's like in the southern grid sector and go to bed. I know she doesn't fully believe me but I need to figure things out independently.
The first week at the elite training camp whirls by, a maelstrom of challenges that leave me feeling like a fish out of water. No pun intended. Dace and I don't get a chance to talk and I can't figure what out why he has a drawing or me or why's he so agitated.
After the first few days, I realise that I'm the worst recruit here. I mean, literally the worst. I'm good at the written assignments but suck at the practical stuff. It's my worst nightmare come to life.
During our vessel navigating challenge, I'm the only one whose transport pod spins out of control. My chaotic attempts to park it are a far cry from the calculated manoeuvres my peers effortlessly execute. Unfortunately, I almost end up taking out Dace's pod with mine. Why him of all people? I groan. He looks furious behind the helm and complains about me to the team leaders when we have our debrief.
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'She's a menace.' He growls to Atlas and Cole; his frustration palpable as he recounts the near miss. 'She could have taken us both out.' The others look down and I can't help but wonder if they think he's right.
As the gravity of his words hangs in the air, a voice emerges to defend me. 'Ease off Dace, we're all here to learn and train. No one is going to be perfect. Besides Zee aced the theoretical knowledge in the written assignment.' Coral affirms.
Dace scoffs, 'What good is theory when it comes to navigating a pod in the real world!'
Interrupting the escalating tension, I interject, acknowledging my shortcomings. 'I just need more practice. Today, nerves got the best of me. I apologise sincerely for the near-miss. I'm committed to improving.' I hate apologising, especially to him but I want to show everyone that I can acknowledge my weaknesses.
In a moment of silent exchange, Cole and Atlas share a meaningful glance, a subtle acknowledgment passing between them. They transform the incident into a valuable lesson. Retrieving the recorded footage of my turbulent attempts, they turn it into a teaching tool, an opportunity for the entire team to glean insights from both triumphs and errors made by the recruits.
'Zee, don't worry about it. You'll do better tomorrow, I'm sure.' Coral consoles me as walk back to the dorm. I can hear some of the other girls whispering about me later that night. It feels like school all over again.
I will do better tomorrow. I vow as I fall asleep.
But tomorrow isn't much better. Coding tests are another ordeal. My fingers fumble over the console touchscreen, producing lines of code riddled with errors. The display blinks with red alerts, and Coral shoots me a sympathetic look. Despite her understanding gaze, I can't escape the sense of incompetence that gnaws at me. Dace on the other hand looks triumphant as if proven right. I don't get it. I studied really hard for this and knew everything from the prescribed reading texts but trying to do it in a time-limited situation is completely different.
As the second week unfolds with security operations and engineering repair challenges, my frustration grows. In a rare quiet moment, I find myself staring at holographic schematics, questioning why I was chosen for this elite program.
Why am I even here? I ponder, doubt gnawing at my confidence. Was it a mistake? Did they mix up me with someone else? I was definitely smart at school. But in this crowd, I'm nothing but a stumbling mess.
Despite my growing uncertainty, I face each challenge head-on, refusing to back down or quit. The rumour of an unofficial prize for the best recruit lingers, a tantalizing carrot dangling in front of us all.
Yet, amidst the challenges, unexpected allies emerge. Team leader Atlas, offers quiet encouragement. 'Everyone has their strengths,' she says. 'You just need to find yours.'
The others don't seem to struggle like me. I have no doubt that at the end of the two weeks, I will be going home to be reassigned to another division.
