Compete Read Free Page B

small panels along the perimeter that serve as low-volume “speakers” that carry his speech in Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, French, Spanish, German, Arabic and Russian.
    “Welcome aboard our starships headed for Atlantis. You are the best of the best, since you have passed all the stages of Qualification and proved yourselves to be capable of integrating into our society—my profound congratulations to you. I realize you have many questions and they will be answered. First, you need to know this. The Fleet is at present stationed in orbit around Earth, while we are still preparing for our long journey. I realize you have said your painful goodbyes to your families. My sympathies are with you and with everyone who must remain. But now you must embrace the fact that you have been granted the privilege of carrying on the future of Earth, and the entire human race. You leave behind the past, and embark on a journey into tomorrow—”
    “Wow, is this mate still talking that pretty bullshit again?” a dark-haired teen mutters with an Aussie accent. “Why don’t he just cut the crap and tell us what is really happening with us?”
    “S-s-s-sh.” A girl nudges him.
    The Atlantean continues speaking. “In the coming days you will learn much about your role here, and you will develop your potential. But first, you must make a very important personal decision—a choice that will determine your new place in our society. You must choose what and who you will become.”
    The Fleet Commander pauses. The steady gaze of his dark, kohl-rimmed eyes holds us immobilized, as he seems to look at us and through us , from the display screen. “You have two options. You can either join the Atlantean Fleet as Cadets, pledging your lives and loyalty to Atlantis, or you may remain Civilians and join the general population of Atlantis when we arrive there, twelve of your Earth months from now. . . .”
    “Twelve months? Screw that!” some kid behind us mutters and begins to cuss. Gracie and I turn around involuntarily to stare.
    “Or what, dummkopf? Are you going to get off this boat early? Then go back and stay on Earth. Millions of people will be happy to take your place here,” an older German boy tells him with a frown.
    “What does this mean for you?” Commander Manakteon Resoi continues. “It means, you have to decide now how you will spend the rest of your lives. The military Fleet offers many more privileges and advantages, including higher rank, higher education, and higher pay even after retirement, but it also demands so much more from you, up to and including your life. It is not for everyone. In fact, it is not for the great majority of you. Meanwhile, if you choose a Civilian life—which most of you will—you will have access to education and various trades, and to solid basics. More details will be provided, to assist you with making your final selection. You have five days including today to make this life decision, after which, there will be no going back. You will be assigned to your permanent place on our ships for the rest of this journey, according to your Quadrant and final rank designation, and you will begin your duties and your in-depth education.”
    Commander Manakteon Resoi grows silent. He allows the information to sink in.
    In the new silence, the chamber around me fills with rising mutterings and waves of voices.
    “Wow,” someone says in American English. “This is wild. What if we can’t decide what we want to be?”
    “ Pas du tout , I do not think that is one of our two choices,” a French girl replies.
    Gracie looks up at me with worried eyes. I turn around, and Gordie is also watching me. “What—what are we gonna do?”
    “Okay, look,” I say, blinking in stress. “We don’t have to decide just yet. We have several days to think about it. Civilian sounds nice and safe. We’ll be okay, right? We—both of you and—” I stop because I almost say “George”—and then I clam