Sector 7

Area 1, Sector 1, November 4th, 2498, 6:14

We had just been briefed on what was going on today and the team was sitting in a room with a one-way mirror and me on the other side. I couldn't see them, but they could see and hear me. A picture of one of us would be projected and I would have to say what I thought of each person. Thasia promised me no one would die today, so I was sitting a bit easier with that knowledge. Already all of the team, except for Juith, had gone. They didn't say much about me except that I was a bit too friendly. Nevertheless, it could have been much worse.

The lights dimmed slightly in my room and the first picture, Myrna, flashed. "My-" I quickly remembered her code name. "Magpie. She's uptight and snobby, but an okay leader. She likes to put others down, but I genuinely just ignore her comments."

The picture flipped. "I like Hydra. She's brave and kind, but she's a bit headstrong. She thinks like me and I admire her wit." I smiled to myself, pushing the thought of Taraia with Ajax away.

The picture turned. "Beryl is quiet and a bit manipulative. Nevertheless, he's a great asset." I couldn't think of anything else to say. He was just, there.

"In my honest opinion, Patch should have been the leader of the Yellow Group. He's intelligent and empathetic. He knows how to take a team to the top. Also, I like his teal hair." I chuckled softly to myself.

"Velvet is VERY pretty. She has beautiful hair and bright eyes. I hate seeing her put through all of this. She's quiet and not very smart, but she's still a lovely person."

"Thorn is a bit harsh and likes to play stupid jokes on people. He's such a child so I don't particularly like him." My nose crinkled when I thought of earlier how he held the door closed for three minutes.

The picture switched to one of Orinia. I paused. I remembered what happened to her sister, Magma. Orinia was screaming the night her sister died, saying how she was supposed to protect her and keep her safe and how she failed her. "Ghost. She is, um, she's very sweet and so compassionate about everyone. The death of her sister really took a toll on her and I feel completely awful for what she's been put through. I hope she can eventually pull through, but I'm not sure."

The picture flipped as a tear slid down my cheek. "Vipra. She's so understanding and helpful. She's not the smartest but she's one of my best friends, besides Ion. We're practically sisters on the team." I smiled softly, still thinking about Orinia's ghastly screams from the night before.

"Thank you Plasma. That is all." Cyril stood up from the table he was leaning on. He opened the door for me and as I walked through, he pressed a note into my pocket. I turned back slightly, but he nudged me out the door. I decided not to question it as I went back into the other room.

As I entered, Juith was being escorted out. She gently took my hand as we passed each other and squeezed it. "Wish me luck sister." She whispered.

I gave her a small smile. "Good luck sister."

The whole sister thing was half real and half fake. We really did act like sisters, but Thasia told us it helped boosted ratings as a publicity ploy. So whenever we suspected we were on camera, we made the whole sister thing more obnoxious.

As I sat in my seat and Juith started her confessions, I slid the note carefully out of my pocket and opened it gently. It said:

Careful with Ajax. Even though you're boosting your popularity, we wouldn't want you making any stupid mistakes.

~Friend C & L

I puzzled over who Friend L was. I could only guess it was the woman in the red coat from before. Could she be Cyril's wife?