THE EVALUATION

- IV -

by Regina Still

Exhausted, I stumbled into breakfast the next morning, grabbing an apple and a banana before plunking myself down in my usual seat. I normally ate cereal, but I didn't feel like it then; my cheek was still a bit sore from the punch two days ago.

"Hi, Regina," Craig said enthusiastically. "You look tired. Have you been sleeping okay?"

"Sort of," I answered.

"That's good. Or, not good. Why haven't you been sleeping well? Is there a problem with your room? We get lots of funds, being the inventive branch and all, so I'm sure Bae will let you bring in some new things to spice it up-"

"It's not that," I cut him off, too tired to care about being rude. "I mean, yes, the room isn't really helping my insomnia, but it's not exactly making it any worse. It's... well, I'm kind of homesick. But it's nothing I can't handle."

"Speaking of," Ted started before Craig could, "your evaluation is today."

"Evaluation?" I grimaced, suddenly remembering. "Oh, yeah. Where I see whether or not I'm going to be kicked out."

"Bae is flying in," Ted said, unruffled as he ripped wedges out of his peeled orange. A pile of rind sat on his plate that had once held eggs and toast. "He does that quite often, so you're nothing special for that, but it will give you a chance to meet him. He's the head of the branch."

"Yes, Bae Oh, I remember him. Isn't he almost a hundred years old?"

"Close. Ninety-three."

I gave a low whistle. "Wow." The oldest person I had ever met was my great-grandfather, and he died at eighty-seven. I wondered what a person even older would look like, because my grandfather had practically died a skeleton. (Of course, he had starved himself to death, but that's neither here nor there.)

"Oh, yeah," Craig started in, Ned giving a low moan and Sinead shutting her mouth since she had been about to say something herself. She didn't look happy. "Bae has been the branch leader since Gordon Oh died. He was Alistair's father. Gordon, I mean, not Bae. Bae is his uncle, and took him in after Gordon's passing. In fact, that reminds me of a time when-"

I tuned him out. I didn't do that to people, or should I say I very rarely did, before coming there. Then I needed to start doing it just to stay sane.

Irritated, Ted pulled out his phone and typed out a message; then, without sending it, held the phone out so I could read the screen. Apparently he didn't think it would be worth it to interrupt Craig again. I have to commend him on that.

On the glowing screen were the words: Eval at 10

I frowned. Great. Time to brood and worry about something else. I put my index finger's tip and my thumb's tip together in the OK sign. He nodded and pocketed his phone.

I stood. "I'm going to go... do something until my evaluation time. I guess I'll go hang out at the library. Call if you need me." I walked away without waiting for an answer, leaving my uneaten apple on the table, and straightening my yellow polo shirt as I went. I never really got time to check out the library at the Ekaterina base, so I was actually quite happy for a change that allowed me to maybe read a chapter or two in a book. Even if it did mean that I would never get to see this awesome library again.

What? I shouldn't be so pessimistic? Look, I failed everything. I told you in the last chapter of all my failures. How was I supposed to remain positive when every last thing was against me? The only thing I could really hope for was that when the Ekats don't need someone anymore, they just let them go instead of kill them.

Admittedly, my hopes weren't high there, either.

It took me a few minutes, but I finally found the library, and immediately seated myself in one of the comfy leather armchairs placed around the three-story room. I closed my eyes and bowed my head, resting it in my hands and closing my eyes. Worn out. Worried. I know I've said it a million times, but I don't think I can take much more of this. Every time I give myself five minutes to think and mull over what's been happening recently, my thoughts always go back to my parents, and my old life, and everything else that's been going on.

To be completely honest with you, it's really annoying.

So instead of focusing on that, I dragged my exhausted butt out of the chair and walked over to the nearest shelf. "Engineering." Could care less. "Physics." Don't need a headache right now. "Psychology." I doubt I could get much better via a book. "Social Sciences." "Autobiographies and Biographies of Historical Ekaterinas." "Inventions from the Ekat World." "Wars." "Cahills." "Fiction" - heeeeey. I wonder what kind of fiction the Ekaterina stronghold would have? I don't remember many – if any – Ekat authors that aren't scientists or something similar as well, but you never know, I guess.

I skimmed the shelf with interest, having quite the affinity for fiction books. It didn't really surprise me that most of them were classics like A Christmas Carol and A Midsummer Night's Dream. I couldn't imagine Ekats reading something more modern. It also didn't surprise me that the Fiction section was only one shelf while the other subjects took two or three. Again, I had a hard time picturing an Ekat settling down with Percy Jackson and the Olympians when they had a whole section on real Greek mythology. Or aerospace engineering. You've just got to pick your battles with any branch, and with Ekats, the fight stops at reading material.

An orange cover with black lettering caught my eye, and before I knew it a copy of Catcher in the Rye was in my hand. I had read the first chapter of this book while I waited for my father to finish a conversation. He works at a school (in the computer department, of course; he fixes the teachers' computers), and connected to the school is a library. Bored, I had started scanning the shelves and this book had caught my eye, what with it's bright orange cover. I had heard of it, and read the first chapter while I waited. In truth, I was kind of disgusted at the amount of language, but it did keep me busy, and I never give up on a book at Chapter One. Chapters Two and Three, maybe, but never Chapter One; the book has just begun then. Maybe I should read this to wait out yet another grueling session of boredom, this one much more painstaking than the last (if that's possible)?

"I love that book."

I jumped, swinging the book around as I spun to face the speaker, bringing it up in front of me like a shield; I was ready to fight.

For no reason, to my dismay. And the person behind me wasn't even Ted – Ted's voice isn't quite as deep – so he didn't even get to see my epic ninja moves. Figures.

"Jumpy," Ned Starling grinned.

I sighed, lowering the book. "Sorry. I didn't hear you come in."

"I was already in here. I saw you sitting in the armchair. I was going to go bug you, but I thought you were crying and the last thing I wanted to do was play comforter."

"Gee, you're a true friend, Ned," I said sarcastically. "And no, I wasn't crying. Just... resting. I'm tired."

He opened his mouth, then closed it again, seeming to rethink what he was about to say. He shrugged. "So, have you read it?" he asked, motioning to Catcher in the Rye.

"No," I admitted. "I read the first chapter a couple years back, but I've yet to read the whole thing."

"It's good," he assured with a grin. "I highly recommend it."

I pushed the book back on the shelf, deciding against it for now. "I'll read it later, then." I frowned. "Assuming there even is a 'later.'"

Ned smiled in a way that was probably sympathetic for a Starling. I'd seen Ted give me that look a few times. "You know, I've seen Ted's notes... Well, okay, they're not great, but I've seen worse. You just need to stop worrying so much. I have a feeling you've got a talent that we'll really need. And you never know with Bae – that man is nuts, and I mean nuts. He may keep you just for the heck of it. Just chill out. Do you know how to play chess?"

As I considered his words, I nodded. "I relearned this past Christmas. I learned the first time when I was four, but I had long since forgotten, so I'm not all that good. Why?"

Ned grinned again, but this time it was as diabolical as the first time I met him. "There's a chess board on the second floor. I'll play you."

"Is it for bragging rights? Because I'm going to lose," I said, completely serious.

He chuckled. "It can be."

I gave him a sideways smile. "How about we play checkers instead?"

"Checkers!?" he exclaimed dubiously. "We're in a stronghold of just about every genius that is currently on the earth and you're telling me you want to play checkers?!"

Gosh. I felt sort of bad for even asking.

"I've been playing it for longer; I'd be more of a challenge."

He grunted like he was considering it, but I shrugged before he could make up his mind. "Did Ted happen to say anything exceedingly bad about my performance on the tests?" Somehow talking about it made me less nervous, even when I was given bad news.

Ned thought for a moment before replying. "I'm actually not supposed to say; even as much as I have is kinda something you'll need to keep on the down-low, if you don't mind. Sorry about that."

I shrugged like it didn't matter, even if I was rather disappointed. "That's okay. I understand." I glanced at the shelf next to me, across the rows of books. "So, is there another book you recommend?"

And it went on like that until...


...It was time for my evaluation. I was not at all excited.

Well, I was, but I was so nervous I thought I would explode. For one thing, I was meeting the branch leader, Bae Oh. For another, I was going to have to face the consequences of whatever I did that Ted happened to find worthwhile to write down, and I had a feeling that he didn't write down many good things considering there weren't many good things to write down.

All in all, I think I was handling the stress pretty well up until that last five minutes when I thought stomach butterflies were going to eat me alive. And my parents would always tell me there was nothing to fear when it came to bugs, that they wouldn't eat me like I always claimed when I was a child – Ha! Beg to differ.

"You ready?" Ted asked, stepping up beside me. We were waiting outside Bae's office door, the one he always used when he visited the stronghold (as Craig had told me).

"About as ready as I'll ever be," I admitted. "I'm really nervous."

He smiled that oddly-somewhat sympathetic smile and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry about it. You really didn't do that bad."

"I just hope your notes say the same thing," I replied. "Do you have any bug spray?"

He frowned, confused. "Bug spray?"

"Yeah."

"Why do you need that?"

"To put on my abdomen to make the butterflies go away." I grinned. "What else?"

He cracked a smile back. "Let's go in. They'll go away at the first sight of Bae, I promise you."

"I imagine a Starling's word is as good as gold?" I joked.

"Oh, yes, definitely." He knocked on the door.

"Come in," came the slightly raspy voice from within.

Ted pushed the door open.

My heart stopped.

Dang, a Starling's word really is as good as gold. One look at Bae and those butterflies flew south for the winter.

How can a guy that old look so intimidating?

"Ah, Ted, how wonderful to see you again," Bae Oh said in a polite tone that I feared was probably fake.

"It's been a long time, sir," Ted replied in an equally polite tone that I knew was fake, as was the respectable "sir."

"I take it this is Regina Still, our newest recruit?"

"Yes, sir, I am," I spoke up before Ted, forcing my voice to be steady.

Bae gave a small smile that looked like he didn't use it often. "Please, Regina, Ted, have a seat." He motioned to the two chairs on the other side of his desk. I cast a look at Ted before following his lead and sitting down myself.

"Ted, your notes, if you please," Bae requested, holding out a wrinkly hand.

The much, much younger man reached into his back pocket and pulled out a few folded sheets of paper, passing them to Bae. "Here you go, sir."

"Thank you." The branch leader spent what felt like years analyzing every last word my mentor had written. And every single minute made me just a little more nervous. The fact that he was completely deadpan the whole time didn't help. I had to force myself to study the giant Ekaterina crest painted on the wall behind Bae just to keep from hyperventilating. Finally, he looked up. "Ted, do you have any sort of explanation for these comments?"

"I..." he faltered. "I guess it depends on which notes you mean."

"Attempting to shoot you in the head with a dismantled pen?"

"That was mainly by accident. I was coming through the door as she fired."

"F on physical training exercise?"

"We didn't work on it very long, but I had to grade her, so I gave her a failing mark. She could get better, I assume, with practice."

"Lost a wrench while making an automaton?"

"We found it again while we were cleaning."

"Nearly burned down the kitchen?"

"She offered to help the cooks... I felt the need to write it down, even though it wasn't part of the evaluational algorithms."

Bae laced his fingers. "Can you tell me anything good about your charge?" I didn't like that they were talking about me like I wasn't even there, but I knew better than to speak on my behalf.

"She has a photographic memory in the short term, and excelled on the memory and certain brain game tests. She also seemed to enjoy gadget training, although she didn't do well with gadget making; she asked for help every two steps. Also, she enjoys telling stories. She's borrowed many notebooks from me and my siblings and written down stories to tell the other Ekats." Ted paused. "Despite what I wrote, I believe she has potential."

It took a moment or seven, but slowly, slowly, Bae's slight frown turned into a wrinkly old grin. "Well, Ted, you know what they say: 'You learn more on one mission than in months of practice.'"

"Sir?" Ted's nervousness showed through. I knew exactly what Bae meant, and I think he did, too, but I don't think he wanted to admit that I was about to get thrown into the belly of the beast.

"You said she showed potential, Mr. Starling; you do the math," Bae said. "You're good at it."

Doing something between a small smile and a grimace, Ted said, "What did you have in mind, sir?"

"You know my nephew has been kidnapped by Lucians, correct?"

My heart stopped dead.

"Yes, sir, I'm aware..." Ted said. "I assume you're inaugurating a search-and-rescue in which you would like us to participate?"

"Something like that," Bae agreed. "You and Regina are going to break into the Lucian stronghold and get my nephew out. If you succeed, Regina becomes an Ekat for life and you'll get mission points; if you fail, you both will probably be dead. Any questions?"

Ted and I were too busy sitting in stunned silence to give him a real answer.

"Good. You leave tonight at eleven. Don't be late."