“Because you’re going to have to be convincing, now aren’t you?” She spoke slow, as if I were stupid instead of just nervous.

“Convincing to who?”

A voice spoke up. “Target is three individuals.” The agent in charge of the prep room was reading off a clipboard.

“Wait. Target?” No. This couldn’t be happening. “But, this is just a test.”

He slow-blinked his irritation at the interruption but continued. “One female in her twenties, one male, approximately midfifties, and a younger female.”

“Wait, am I going out to—”

“Yes, Francis, you are going out into the field to extract and return a group of potential residents.” She laughed a bit. “What exactly did you think we’d have you do?”

“What else are you people good for outside of a lab?” The prep room agent was annoyed that I was even allowed to talk.

The room was suddenly too bright, my shoes too tight.

“Therefore, for today, you are an Agent,” Mellin finished with a small smile, as if she was expecting gratitude. I tried to return it but managed only a grimace.

I reached out and put a hand on a table laid with topographical maps and measuring instruments. I couldn’t stand on my own. Mellin watched me with those calculating eyes, and I fought to stand straight, to be normal and not completely winded by the news.

“Please continue.” She motioned to the prep room Agent. He consulted his clipboard.

“Ah, youngest is around eight or nine. Easy cargo,” he laughed without looking up. “They’re about half a mile from here. Fools don’t even seem to know how close they’ve wandered. You’d be surprised how many idiots are genuinely shocked when they take the short ride in. It’s a wonder they’re able to survive as long as they do. We’re doing them a favor, really. I mean, how long could they get by on their own with those kinds of skills?”

I made both hands into fists before prying them open again through sheer will. I glanced at Agent Mellin, hoping she hadn’t noticed my reaction. Thank god, she was busy looking at her own set of paperwork.

“Right, right,” I interjected. “But do I need to bring in all three to pass?”

“Excuse me?” She looked up.

“Do I need to make sure all three packages are retrieved in order for this test to be considered a success…ma’am? So I can move on to the mission.”

“Yes, you do.” She was getting suspicious. “And you’ll have a partner out there. So you’ll have enough manpower to get it done.”

Right. I’d almost forgot about Mitch. Or maybe I just wanted to forget. I wanted to forget everything right now. For the first time, I longed for the safety of the narrow bed in my dark room.

“This is such a great opportunity for your brother to prove his mettle. Of course, he’s been out in the field before, but only in smaller, lesser roles. But this time, he’ll be proving he didn’t waste our time and resources when he recommended that we bring you in to the Program.”