Chosen.

Chosen. Chapter 26

Chapter TWENTY-SIX

Main Island Lab with the Head Scientists working for the Mission

"Sit down! As I've said, over and over, we are NOT interfering under any circumstances!" the woman puts her hand forcefully on Dr. Oswell's shoulder and pushes him back in his seat.

She walks forward to the large hologram screen and points vigorously at the action taking place, "This is what we want; what we need to see and evaluate. If someone pushes the wrist link buttons, we will send a rescue crew. But until then, you will all sit and watch whatever drama unfolds. Because that is the most important rule, we let nature take its course. That is life."

All of the other scientists in the room are silent and instantly go back to their monitoring duties, clicking keys and taking notes. Only Dr. Oswell had the gall to question Dr. Braddock's authority. If it wasn't for his brilliance and the crucial role he's played in the development of the Trials and the overall Mission, he would probably already have been fired by now.

He points at the screen in anger, "This Trial is going further than any of us could have ever predicted. It's turning into a true survival of the fittest situation out there. Before long someone will be killed!"

She slams her fist down on the table, "And??! This is only a taste of what they can expect on Mars. Do you think we are dropping them off on another planet for a Sunday picnic?? You'd better get ready, Doctor....or perhaps you're becoming a bit too attached to these families and your emotions have clouded your judgment?"

He picks up his personal portal and begins going through his notes over the past few days, "Excuse me if I'm uncomfortable with watching families rip each other to shreds, young children collapsing from lack of food and water and animal attacks so savage that we've had to cut them out of the nightly recaps because the brutality would make audiences sick! We are not God, Dr. Braddock!!! Where is the line??"

She turns to him and looks him dead in the eyes, "There...is...no...line." Her voice drops an octave and she continues on more ominously, "How do you think your God feels watching his creations kill each other in the perfect world he created until they can no longer survive? We should be grateful we will at least have a second chance on Mars."

She then raises her voice and addresses the rest of the room, "If anyone else has any problems with the life-threatening and harsh conditions we are exposing these families to, please....please speak up. I would be more than happy to sign off on your exit forms and give you the mind-erasing tablet before sending you home." She raises her arms dramatically, "This is for the survival of humanity! If you can't handle the stakes, you don't deserve to work on the most important Mission to save mankind!!"

Dr. Oswell is momentarily stunned into silence and has no response for her. He knows in a way she is right, but watching on the sidelines has been so much harder than he could have ever anticipated. The other night when the Barloc's eldest daughter got attacked and gravely injured, along with seeing several of the other chosen families he has put his hopes into slowly breaking down under the pressure, it has hurt him to watch. Especially when the rest of the world is eating up the watered-down, edited versions the scientists release and are begging for more. They have no idea what these families are actually going through!

He sighs in frustration and turns away, rubbing the bridge of his nose. He knows he's in too deep to quit at this point. Plus, with how involved the UWG has been, it's unlikely they would just be given the blue pill and sent home....more like a permanent retirement six feet under, if he were a betting man.