Oliver took the piece of plastic and it suddenly whirred. Lights appeared on the surface. They arranged themselves into times and coordinates.

Its everywhere you need to be and when, Hazel told him.

Does it show me when my test will be? Oliver asked.

Hazel pointed to a series of digits and numbers. It was right after all his classes for the day. She gave him a gentle smile. I promise you it wont be that bad.

Oliver took the bundle of clothes from her arms. I know, he said as he walked over to the changing area. Ichiro told me that the test isnt that big a deal. He closed the curtain and started to change, calling out as he did so. If hes a cobalt then it cant be that bad. It felt nice to be out of the strange white sleeper. His overalls were the only familiar thing in his life right now and so wearing the factory garments from Armandos factory made him feel secure. You couldve been a bit more reassuring. You made the test seem very dramatic! But if Ichiro is anything to go by, it doesnt make that much of a difference whether Im cobalt or bromine.

He remembered then that Ichiros exact words had been cobalt, bromine, or otherwise. He wondered if it was a figure of speech, or whether there might be more categories of Seer to belong to.

Oliver put his timetable in his overalls pocket and walked out from behind the curtain. He saw Ralph and Hazel were still there, but the room was also now full of a ton of other kids. Amongst them were Edmund and his mean friend. Theyd all overheard him. Edmund sneered at him.

Did you hear that, Vinnie? he said to his friend. Apparently it doesnt make a difference what type of Seer you are.

Vinnie began to cackle.

Then Edmund called out to Oliver, Just keep telling yourself that when your test shows youre cobalt!

Oliver felt his cheeks burn. He pushed past Edmund and Vinnie and stood beside Ralph and Hazel, silently wishing theyd told him to stop rambling aloud from behind the curtain. He had not intended to put himself in Edmunds firing line so soon after waking up.

Just then, Walter emerged from behind the curtain in sneakers and a shirt with a cartoon character on. He came and joined them.

Cant wait for switchit practice today. He grinned and slapped Oliver on the back. Sleep okay?

Yes. Fine, Oliver said tensely.

Simon joined them in his strange Victorian fashion, looking every inch the smart English gentleman. Tally-ho, he said.

Just then the airlock doors opened and everyone filed out, in their usual hurried manner. Oliver was swept along with the crowd.