Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter 15

Chapter FIFTEEN

Two Head Scientists working for the Mission

"Well, it has officially begun and so far so good." The tall scientist comments while clicking a few more keys on his portal.

The woman snorts, "Hrmmph, it's only been one day let's not get ahead of ourselves." She continues, "I have to say I'm not too impressed with very many of families. This is the last chance for humanity and there isn't time to re-do this Mission."

"There will be no need. We will find the 50 families who have everything it takes and this will all be worth it in the end. For all of us." The man responds confidently, although he squeezes his hands tightly into fists, a sign that he is nervous as well.

He releases his grip before she notices, "I am surprised at how many families are going out after dark to continue the scavenger hunt this early in the trials though. It is a significant risk and it is very important we have individuals capable of weighing risk in all situations."

The woman waves her hand, "Oh, I'm not and for some it will pay off. As for others, it will stamp their ticket out of the trials and send them home. I mean look how many tried to go into restricted areas and break the rules before the trials even began." She gives him a look, "Your precious Barloc family included, if you noticed."

The man is slightly defensive, "I'm sure most are just testing boundaries. Which could be considered a positive since it will be necessary response when exploring a new world. But, yes I'm glad you talked me into the electrical field. It will be a handy tool to protect families when the trials get more", he pauses searching for the word, "intense, as we say."

"I've said many times, the danger and stakes must be very high and real. How else can we weed out the families that will crumble under the pressure and the ones who will overcome?" She has definitely made this speech more times than he can count to all of the scientists. She continues frustrated, "I'm just ready to get on with the next round of the trials so we can eliminate some of these obvious weak links in the competition. As the difficulty of each round increases, it won't take long to narrow down the families with the most promise. I just hope there are 50 left standing at the end." She snaps her portal shut and rubs her temples.

The tall man comes to stand behind her and awkwardly pats her shoulder, "We have done everything we can, now we have to just let this play out and hope for the best. It is out of our hands now." He continues in a more cheerful tone, "At least, the public is responding better than anticipated. They have already began selecting their favorite families to root for and it has settled some of the unrest for the UWG."

"Yes, that has been an unexpected benefit of all of this." She smooths her hands along her lab coat, "Since the World Commandments went into effect there has been so much instability. This has proved a nice distraction for everyone to cope with the many changes required on Earth. Like the old superbowl on steriods, I've heard a few say." she chuckles.

The man begins to walk toward the door, "It is interesting to see who the most loved families are so far. Of course, they are enjoying the families who cause drama, but also the underdogs have gotten a surprising amount of followers in their corner as well." He stops at the entry and turns around with a serious expression, "However, if they all knew how high the stakes were for this Mission, I do wonder if that would influence their choice in which families they think should be chosen."

She walks past him and comments, "We will never know because the public will never know the truth." She continues under her breath as she leaves down the hall, "At least, not until it is much too late."

He stands at the door for a second longer, wondering if they are doing the right thing. Is this the way to save us? Should the truth be shared? What if there was another way? He shakes his head and steps through the door. The decision has been made and by others way over his head. His only choice is to help in any small way for the families he believes have that special something he feels in his heart. Every scientific angle has been accounted for, but he knows that it is something deeper required, more than the mind can test for to find the families for this Mission...  Love will be what saves mankind. He closes the door behind him and continues on the path hoping somehow it will all fall into place.