Aella straightened and watched as the Founder came closer and closer. He stopped in front of her, and told his guards to give him some privacy. She waited as the man stepped next to her and looked out of the windows, nodding as he surveyed the view. The guards dispersed to different spots around the hallway, keeping an eye on them both.

The Founder did not turn to look at her when he spoke, his voice soft.

The guards can't hear him--or me. Aella looked out at the trees and flowers, feeling homesick for the greenhouse in Quadrant 56. "I've never seen anything like it."

The Founder chuckled. "The manufacturing quadrants are dull and gray, but yours was so far South you had snow, ice, and border struggles thrown into the mix. I admire every one of the citizens who choose to live in such conditions. They are the bravest of us all."

Aella nodded, her eyes watching the incinerator as the lid opened as a small wave of heat followed it.

"Call me Aexander," he said, turning to look at her.

Aella glanced up at him, her eyes taking in the emotionless black eyes that watched her. "What?"

He smiled, the effect unnerving when it didn't reach his eyes. "I don't want you to be afraid of me, Aella. I want all of my citizens to be able to speak what is on their mind and voice their differences. Speak whatever is on your mind. I promise you will not surprise me."

"I hate you," she whispered, feeling her body shake. "I saw one of your soldiers throw a grenade that killed the only family I've ever had. I am confused because a Trinity saved me." She stepped closer, her voice quivering. "I'm looking for someone to blame and you are the perfect candidate."

She stopped talking, her chest heaving when a guard pushed her back, using his arm to keep her from getting closer to the Founder.

He hung his head, nodding several times. He waved a hand and the guard stepped away.

Aella took a deep breath, crossing her arms as she watched him raise his head, his lips turning down into a frown.

"I prepared a worldwide tribute for your friends, and all those who lost their lives in the rebel attack," he said after a few seconds of silence. "It will air the first night of the Beta Game. I cannot hope for you to fully forgive me by doing such a small measure, but I hope in time I will be able to show you the depths of my commitment to United Earth and all of its citizens."

She sighed, turning her head away from him.

"How did you manage at the Facility?"

She turned to him, her eyebrow raising.

"Consulars are required to keep their emotions in check. You are clearly stronger and more vocal when you allow your emotions to influence you. You," he said, moving closer, a smile on his face, "are more fit to be a leader. I would have picked you for Advising instead."

"I managed, Founder." She frowned as he cleared his throat. "Aexander."

He nodded, turning his head when a guard appeared and whispered in his ear. "I'm sure you did," he said as he turned back to her. "Come. It's time we headed over to the Game Center now that the media has left with the players. You will ride with me." He offered his arm to her and smiled.

Aella smiled as well, and placed her hand on his arm, following him through the doors and to the right. They exited the lobby into a docking station, a sleek, golden car waiting for them. She followed the guards onto the car, and took a seat next to the door, across from the seat the Founder chose. The guards stationed themselves in the seats surrounding them, several of them checking their handheld pads.

"We will be taking an underground tunnel used for safety purposes," the Founder said as the car began to move. "We should arrive before the players do, as they are taking a tour of the facilities. I will have someone arrange for you to take the tour later, if you wish."

"That would be fine," she said, looking out of the window, but she saw only the black walls of the tunnel. She crossed her legs at her ankles, and folded her hands in her lap. She watched as the Founder laid his head back onto the velvet seat, looking relaxed.

"What do you think about the Game, personally?"

She frowned. "You ask me questions I've never heard before."

He chuckled. "I find that I get the most honest answers that way."

She nodded once. It makes sense. "The Game uses the Interactive Learning System, I.L.S. for short, created by your brother Milo Maxwell twenty-five years ago. It united the world by becoming a digital arena where people across the world could interact, learn, and conduct research safely. The philosophy of United Earth spread through the I.L.S. and helped to create the multi-national coalition of Quadrants that we have today."

The Founder raised his head and steepled his fingers, resting his lips on the tips of his forefingers. "Besides what everyone else thinks about the system--what are your personal feelings about the Game?

She tilted her head as she took in the relaxed expression he wore. I can't read what he's thinking--he's had too much training. She smirked and leaned back against her chair. "I think it is a war game distracting the citizenry from something--what I don't know--and it desensitizes people to violence and hatred by showcasing a bloody struggle to be on top."

He blinked once, slow and measured. "I see."

Aella leaned forward, relaxing her own face and measuring her tone. "Why have you singled me out?"

"You aren't like other players," he said, lowering his hands. "It is neither bad or good, just different. I can't help but be curious, as it isn't everyday that I meet someone like you, Aella Rynnex."

She leaned back against her seat, fighting to keep herself from drawing her eyebrows together. A flash of light caught her eye as they exited the tunnel, and she turned to look out of the window. The train had slowed as it approached a glass-covered station. A river, glistening and sparkling, wound its way underneath the station and through the center of the biosphere. The guards stood as the train stopped, moving into position.

"I see you like it."

Aella nodded. "It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you think so," the Founder said. "Perhaps I can change your mind about the Game while you are with us."

She turned as he offered her his hand, and she took it, rising to her feet. The door slid open, letting in warm, sweet-smelling air.

"After you," he said, bowing his head. "We will be entering the Game Center Atrium, the central hub of the GC complex.

She nodded and stepped through the door and onto a lush, carpeted hallway. The guards surrounded them and led them down a hallway and into an elevator. The ride up several stories was silent except for the ding of the bell as the doors opened to a white marble balcony that looked over an open, circular area. Several massive chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, throwing rainbows onto the white marble walls. A hum of voices and gentle music filled the air. A stage rose from the floor in the center of the room, and several people stood on it, looking toward the doors as the players poured through them.

The Founder stepped out behind her. "This way," he said. He lead her down the sloping hallway and onto the lower floor. He held out a hand to her, and she stopped, looking up at him. "Fox and Seashell will be waiting at the base of the stage. You will join them there, and wait for your orientation to begin. I will be leaving you and returning to the Capital Complex after I finish business, but I will see you at the end of the week."

"Thank you for the ride, Founder," she said, bowing her head and bringing her fist to her chest.

"Thank you for answering my questions, Aella," he answered, winking at her before letting his security lead him through an arched doorway and down a hallway.

***

Aella's eyes widened as she noticed the people that were pouring through several doorways into the atrium. Many were moving to stand on the sloping hallways on the opposites side of the atrium. Aella watched them for a moment before turning and winding her way through the crowd toward the stage. She spotted Fox and Seashell leaning against a massive marble pillar along the wall and she waved when she caught their eye. Seashell's face lit up with a grin and she waved when Aella stepped next to them.

"Where did you go?" Fox asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I was at the end of the line and went down the wrong hallway."

"You were with the Founder?" Seashell asked, her eyes wide as she leaned closer to Aella.

Aella laughed softly. "I ran into him in the hallway, and since the players were already leaving, he offered to bring me here on his shuttle."

"Our guards were looking for you," Fox said, glancing away from her.

I didn't think about that. "I hope I didn't cause too much trouble."

Seashell shook her head and laughed. "I didn't even know they were in the crowd. They only approached us after the meet and greet with the media. We've been on the tour so they took us on a different shuttle, and they wanted to ensure our safety on the trip here."

Aella nodded. "So we are going to have an orientation?"

"The Legend will speak and we will be split up into groups for testing purposes."

Seashell lightly poked Fox's arm and stuck her tongue out at him. "Stop being so grumpy. Some of us are actually curious and excited about being a part of the Game."

But not all of us. She caught Fox's annoyed look and she nodded, turning to look at the stage. Seashell pointed to several screens that hung from the ceiling, and the glass panels on the ceiling that were showing the United Earth flag.

"Usually those screens are giving real time updates of the Alpha Game," Seashell said. "In a week, our scores will be up there. We have to be given several days of testing and training before we officially enter the Beta Game. They have to coordinate the pods to our brain waves and adjust the settings for personal preferences."

"Players," a deep voice interrupted.

The room hushed within seconds, and Leon appeared on the screen.

"Leon is Prince, the Alpha Legend?" Aella hissed.

Seashell grinned and nodded, holding a finger up to her mouth. "Shh."

Aella turned back to the stage, noting the figures on it were standing to attention.

"Welcome to the Game Center," Leon said, raising his arms to the crowd. "And to the unveiling of the Beta Game. Your journey to fame begins here, where anything is possible and where ordinary people can achieve the extraordinary. Twenty-five years ago, Maxwell Trinity designed the I.L.S. He had no idea that his invention would unite the world and bring about a new world order, one of peace and harmony."

Aella looked around at the players eagerly listening to Leon's speech. The world wasn't as peaceful as the government preached. It wasn't peaceful when her quadrant was destroyed. It wasn't peaceful on the borders. Not when fear and mistrust were thrown at the opposite sides. She straightened when she saw the Founder and his guards on the top balcony, watching over the proceedings.

"I am Prince, Legend of the Alpha Game. I would have brought my team with me, but they were caught trying to sneak into the Beta Game before anyone else and are in temporary confinement. But I would like to introduce another member of the Beta Game, Bringer of Death's second-in-command, Ender."

She frowned as a younger man took the center stage, and Leon bowed and stepped back to join the others on the stage. He was tall, and had a hollowed look to him, as if he had been through a war. Maybe he has. Maybe I look like that.

She watched the newcomer, a hollow feeling creeping into her stomach.

"As you know, Bringer of Death was killed on the borders only a week ago in service to the Consortium." he said. "He was my friend and teammate in the Game."

So he lost someone. She hung her head and sighed, wishing she could send her sympathy to the man. I know how it hurts.

"He lived his life to the fullest, and he told me something when I first met him, that I want to relay to you as new players. Be yourself and try your best in the Game. You can create the life you want, and have fun in the Game. You have been given the opportunity to become apprentices to United Earth, and this opportunity will forever change your life by giving you the skills and networking that will propel your careers in the future."

He paused and Aella looked up at him, her limbs heavy in exhaustion.

"With that, I announce the beginning of the I.L.S. Beta Game. You will be split up into groups and will begin your tour of the Game Center."

The crowd roared in approval and Aella's eyebrows rose. This is going to be interesting.