Promised to the Alien King

3

I continued to the Announcement hall, hoping Jackie would be there. But once I entered, I realized that I was among the first to complete these challenges- there were only a few people there.

“You are free to sit as long as it’s close to a wall. You must wait for the other students, and by that time the results will be ready and you will receive your final score.” A guard told me, and I nodded. All of the people that were in here sat far apart from each other, so I didn’t bother trying to sit close- they obviously didn’t want company, and neither did I. I sat next to wall and opened my backpack. I was thirsty but not yet hungry, so I drank a few gulps of water, saving the rest for later. I pulled out my communication device, and sent my mother a voice message.

“Hey mom, I finished with the challenges- I think I did good with the general knowledge test, and I was amazing with the gun test, but I’m not sure about the third one- I had to dodge balls and cut through them with a sword! Anyways, now I need to wait for the results! See you- maybe!” I said. I realized that in that one voicemail I said more words than this morning.

I was a lot better after finishing the challenges- no matter what happens now, I just need to keep going.

After around fifteen minutes, students swarmed the place. I put my bag next to me to save a space for Jackie. Soon after, I saw her entering and looking around.

“Jackie!” I yelled, getting her attention. She smiled and ran towards me as soon as she saw me, so I moved my bag for her to sit. She crashed next to me and began talking.

“I couldn’t finish the first test until the end! It was terrible! And the dodging one- I was pretty good, but I was hit when they sent three at once! Can you believe it? And I was terrible on the gun challenge, but I know that you did great, since you’re amazing with them.” she said excitedly, and I smiled at her.

“I managed to finish the test, but I’m not sure I got it all right- it seemed too easy. Yeah, I got a ‘beyond perfect’ score, 20/20 bullseye target hits in 14 seconds. I also got hit at the part with three balls- and I thought that I was terrible, but since you, the master of dodging failed too, I’d say I was pretty good!” I said. Jackie was the best in our generation at playing dodgeball. She could dodge anything.

“I guess so! I’m sure you’ll qualify, girl!” she said as she took out a sandwich and started devouring it. Typical Jackie.

After a few minutes of students storming in and the talking getting louder, we saw the principal walk towards the ‘stage’, and we all went silent. He seemed pleased.

“Dear students! Your test results are ready. Sadly, most of you did not qualify, but worry not- the Ozone layer might still be fixed! Those of you that passed, congratulations. All of you will now come forward and receive an identification chip. No, it doesn’t go in your skin, it’s just a white bracelet. Those of you who passed need to carry it with them at all times.

“Once you receive the bracelet, tap it to show your information. Along with some general information, you will see your test results. You will see if you passed, or are going home. Now, line up!” he said, and students basically ran for the line. Luckily, Jackie and I were close so we were among the first 30 in the line. I looked behind us to see the line stretching way out of the Announcement hall.

“I’m so scared! I really hope I passed. I’m not up to dying, you get me?” Jackie said, not expecting an answer. I felt the same. Sure, I’d miss my parents, but they would want me to go on and live. Staying almost certainly meant dying.

Finally, it was our turn.

“Name?” I was asked.

“Sane Watson.” I said clearly, knowing that the system would pick up my voice. The man nodded and put the bracelet on my hand, and it wrapped itself around my hand securely. I saw these kinds of bracelets before- they are unable to just fall off, they need to be removed by their wearer, and nobody else can remove them.

I decided to wait for Jackie before tapping mine. I wanted to get away from people, I saw that all the students were now inside and nobody could leave the hall. There was probably going to be another announcement.

“Let’s go to that corner.” I said, pointing at an empty space.

“Sure girl, I’m trembling!” Jackie said as we made our way quickly. I was excited, but also terrified. What if I didn’t pass?

“You go first.” Jackie said and I nodded.

This was it. The moment that will determine my life.

I took a deep breath and tapped the bracelet. A hologram screen appeared above it. There was my picture, with my messy black hair and piercing blue eyes. I looked like I just killed someone.

And next to my face, in big green letters, it said: QUALIFIED.

“Yes! You go girl!” Jackie said and pulled me into a hug, letting out excited squeals. I wasn’t really a huggable person, but I didn’t mind it now.

I did it. I made it through the first test. I might not die.

“My turn now!” Jackie said. I was suddenly scared again. What if my only friend doesn’t pass, and I am left all alone?

She tapped her bracelet and saw QUALIFIED written. But it was written in black letters.

“Yes!” I yelled in happiness and ignored the weird difference as I hugged her lightly, only to be squeezed.

“We made it, girl!” she said, already pulling out her com. device to let her parents know. I decided to do the same, and instead of leaving a voice message, because of all the noise, I typed mom a text. ‘I passed.’

Suddenly, everyone went quiet. It was time for another announcement.

“Students, I am happy to preform you that our school had the highest percentage of the students who passed in the whole US! That is why the captain of the ships came to us. I’ll let him take over- captain Michell.” the principal said as he made way to the average looking guy. I knew who he was from TV, and I realised that we were being visited by the person who might be our captain soon.

“Dear students of Bushville High! Your outstanding performance has brought me here. As many as 78 out of 500 made it through the qualifications! You are one percent in front of a school in New York.” he said with a chuckle.

“There’s a chance that some of you have ‘qualified’ written in green letters. If that’s the case, those people will be coming on a special bus. You will be taken on a different location than your friends. Best students around the globe will be going there, because they will be directly supervised by me and other high ranking personnel. That does not, however, improve their chances of making it to the final 100 000- if anything, it makes It more difficult since we will be right there to spot their mistakes.”

“Sane, that’s you! You had it written in green!” Jackie whispered in panic. We were going to be separated.

“Now, it seems like there is only one of you that got the green letters. Sane Watson. Come here.” he instructed, looking directly at me. I shrugged uncomfortably, but I climbed onto the low stage anyways. He offered his hand for a handshake, and I took it.  

“I will be honoured to have such an incredible marksman under my command.” he said, turning to me. I blushed- I was just publicly complimented in front of the whole school, by the captain himself! Then, I looked around and noticed cameras everywhere. Of course.

It’s the captain, of course this is going on television! I sighed at my stupidity- how didn’t I notice them before?

“Now, those of you that didn’t pass- worry not! The Ozone layer might be repaired! You are now free to go home. The rest, remain.” he said, and the hall began emptying. I felt awkward standing here next to him. I was in the open, and I was terrible while in the open. I don’t know how to speak publicly.

Once only 77 people remain in the crowd, he resumed speaking.

“Once more, congratulations to all of you! You will now go outside and see that there is buses waiting to take you to your next location. They will depart in fifteen minutes, so make calls to your families and use the toilet. If you miss the bus, you fail and have to return home. The location is unknown to you, and will remain unknown. And no, we are no longer being recorded. Now, go- 15 minutes only!” he said and the rest ran out. I signalled to Jackie to go, so she has time to use the bathroom. She nodded at me and left running.

Captain Michell turned to me now.

“Well done, student! Since you’re a green, you’ll get special transport. You will be going by a helicopter, piloted by myself.”

I was going to ride in a helicopter with the captain of this mission. He was an important man, and I knew that it was in my best interest to present myself as best as I possibly can. It could benefit me greatly.

I got my diplomatic mind from my mother, who is a lawyer. I used to help her with some of cases when I was younger, since it seemed really interesting. I always wanted to become a lawyer myself, but then the whole Ozone situation happened.

“Follow me to the roof. We will arrive before anyone else, probably, so you’ll have the most time to sleep. It is 12 pm now, and we should arrive by 6pm. You will be able to eat dinner once we’re there, and you can go to sleep before the others arrive. Everyone else that got green is going by bus, except you, since you’re with me.” he said on our way to the roof. He seemed to be trying to tell me that I got privileges, and that I should be grateful.

As I mentioned, I am a very proud person. Admitting that someone helped me in a way that made me privileged was a hit to my pride. I tried thanking him, but no words left my stubborn mouth.

“You should be grateful for an opportunity to travel with such an important person.” he said sternly.

“I am very grateful, sir- I am just very tired and at a loss of words. Thank you for your kindness.” I said quickly, choosing my words carefully with the time I had. He suddenly stopped.

“I am Captain Michell, and that is how you will address me, student.” he said sternly. I felt my face getting red in anger, but I calmed my breathing.

“My apologies, Captain Michell. I am not used to talking to important people such as yourself.” I said, and his face relaxed.

“Yes, that is to be expected. You are forgiven, Watson. You seem like a person that treats their superiors with respect, you were merely confused. It happens.” he said as he continued walking. My ‘superiors’? I felt my anger rising at my hurt pride. I never viewed anyone as a superior. There were only stronger and weaker, but the tides could always change in a matter of seconds.

I held in a nasty remark and made the last step to the roof. The day was warm and bright, and the black helicopter was bigger than I was used to seeing.

“You will sit in the back. Feel free to rest or look around. I am not allowed to tell you the location of the green facility, but if you figure it out from the landmarks, I cannot erase your memory.” he said with a light chuckle.

I didn’t like this man, but I let out a forced laugh for the sake of gaining his trust.

I was never in a helicopter before, but I entered confidently. There was a single seat in the back, and I sat down, securing myself with a belt. There were no doors in the back, so I imagined the incredible view I was going to have. But also, the height I was going to be at.

I put my backpack behind the seat and waited for the captain to get settled. He was talking into the microphone, probably communicating with the people from wherever we were going. A few minutes passed, and we still didn’t rise. I was starting to get bored, but then he turned towards me.