Axiom and the judges return from the Fireseed field engaged in a heated discussion. They file back into Nevada’s office. As they deliberate behind closed doors, she brings them cold mead on a tray. Gazing at the Axiom poster, I imagine Thorn, Blane, Armonk, Bea and Radius out at the Vegas festivities, even Vesper and Jan. All of us swimming at the beach.
Except it can’t be all of us. There aren’t that many spots.
Nevada’s doors open and the judges emerge. They form a semicircle around the podium. I grip the sides of the chair as George Axiom begins. “The first student finalist from the Greening is Bea Wynter, with her stupendous Fireseed fashions. They are fun and also functional, and will help many, many people combat the heat.” Bea yelps joyously. Radius and I get up to hug her. Nevada too.
“The second finalist is Radius Quist.” Bea runs over and gives him a bear hug and we all cheer for him. I’m thrilled that Bea will get to party in Vegas-by-the-Sea with her boyfriend. Fingers crossed I’ll be as lucky.
“The third finalist is Blane Tralfant.” Strange, I never knew Blane’s last name. It’s an elegant, mysterious name, and he’s wearing a mysterious grin. What on earth did he do to win that spot? “Blane’s advanced genetic work on Fireseed will help sort out this complex and changing plant, and we look forward to more of his work.”
Advanced genetics? Holy Fire! Clearly, I underestimated him.
Nevada heads over to shake Blane’s hand, and I do too. The touch of his hand in mine sends heat all through me. I think he feels it too because neither of us wants to let go. I break away just as Axiom announces the last finalist.
“Miss Ruby, um, Ruby … Fireseed wins the forth spot.” Laughter erupts from all corners of the room.
“That’s right,” I explain. “Where I came from, we all shared that last name.” It was a hallmark of our society. My neck burns with anger. And excitement!
“Well, Miss um, Fireseed,” Axiom stumbles, “we appreciate your medicinal elixirs.”
“You mean, her drugs?” Vesper mutters from the facing couch. Sore loser.
Thorn squeezes my arm. Armonk, Bea and Nevada congratulate me. Then Blane comes over and surprises me with a hug. He feels good. I can’t lie. I inhale his scent of sweat and musk as his strong arms fold me in. From the corner of my vision, I see Vesper studying us but I can’t put my finger on her expression other than it’s coldly blank.
When Blane heads over to talk to Radius, Thorn jiggles my arm. I’m so excited that it doesn’t dawn on me right away. They haven’t called my brother’s name. “I was sure you’d be picked,” I tell him, “It makes no sense.” His creation is the very pinnacle of what we’ve done here. It’s so obviously a winner.
Big tears start to roll down his cheeks as I clutch him to me. “I’ll talk to them, okay? I’ll ask them what happened.” He nods, swiping a hand across his nose.
I dash after the judges, packing up their holo pads and latchbags in their fancy gliders. “Is there some mistake?” I ask Axiom.
“Meaning?” He whirls around looking taller and more wizardlike up close with his pouf of hair and disc-shaped eyes.
“My brother, Thorn made those Red creatures. Shouldn’t he have won a spot? Aren’t they the most incredible things you’ve ever, ever seen?”
“They’re quite impressive.” Axiom looks down at his hands.
“So, why didn’t he earn a spot? I mean, how could—”
“The judging process is not up to me alone. It, um, has many factors,” he says, still examining his cuticles. “I’m not at liberty to reveal the processes.”
“But …” Doesn’t he run this whole thing?
“George?” Stazzi peers out of the glider and glowers at me.
“I must go.” He offers me a harried handshake before stepping into his glider. As if he feels guilty for brushing me off, he calls out at me through the window. “I look forward to seeing you and the other Greening finalists out in Vegas-by-the-Sea.” He gives his driver a hand signal to take off, and the caravan makes a steady ascension into the sky.
It feels as if the wind’s been slapped out of me. What can I tell my brother? I haven’t the heart to go back inside. Turns out I don’t have to. Thorn bursts from the front entrance, followed closely by Jan, who’s dressed in a burnsuit. Jan is cursing at Thorn.
“I’ll smear those bird poops in your hair! Get back here, you little creep!”