Tina Chan - imperfect

49) However, the West Region Army was winning the majority of the battles

50) A compromise was formed between the two sides: Smilton would be released unharmed but the Government would make a law requiring all planned infants to be Perfected

“Time’s up.” Vikens plucked the list out of Troop’s hand. “Start reciting.”

“Do they need to be in order?”

“Ideally, yes, but it’s okay if they’re not.”

Troop closed his eyes and started listing the facts out loud; he always found it easier to recite with his eyes closed. After listing forty-eight facts, his mind drew a blank. “Uh…”

Vikens tapped his pen to a staccato beat on the glass desk.

“That’s all I can remember,” Troop said.

A look of disappointment crossed Mr. Vikens face. “That’s not good enough.”

“Forty-eight out of fifty isn’t terrible,” Troop said before he could stop himself.

“No, it’s not,” Vikens agreed. “But it’s still not good enough. You need to be a perfect Perfect—unless you want what happened at your last school to happen again.”

Troop lowered his eyes, afraid he might’ve been too forward with his earlier words. “Yes, sir. Give me another chance. I won’t let you down.”

Vikens pulled out another piece of paper from his folder and passed it to him. “Let’s try again. Fifty Facts about the Formation of the New Countries. Time starts now.”

“The hack was a success,” said Jack. “I changed Tompkins’ grades as you requested. I only boosted them a few points though—didn’t want to make it look suspicious.”

“Nice work,” Troop praised.

“I also raised a few other members’ grades a point here and there.”

“Did you try to raise mine as well?”

Jack paused, not sure if Troop was asking him a trick question or not. Troop had made it clear to everyone not to delve into his private information.

“No,” said Jack after a second’s hesitation. “I didn’t try to change your grades. I could if you want me to. Just give me the word and I will.”

He brushed Jack’s offer away. “No need. My grades are fine the way they are.”

“Troop! A word with you,” Bruno called across the school courtyard.

“Later,” said Troop to Jack.

Bruno waited for him beneath the shade of an elm tree. The shadows cast by the branches upon Bruno’s face gave him a twisted, sinister look.

“What do you want?” Troop asked.

“You moved here a few years ago.”

“I thought you already knew that.”

“Why?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Your profile’s blocked,” said Bruno.

“What are you talking about?”

Bruno continued on as if he hadn’t heard him. “I couldn’t access your school records even after Jack disabled the network security system. I could access everyone’s records but yours.”

Troop grew stone cold. “And why, Bruno, were you trying to get into my records?” His voice could’ve froze boiling water on the spot. “You know better than that.”

“I was curious. I wanted to know why all your information is classified—ID number, past school records, your address—”

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

Bruno gave Troop a suspicious squint. “There’s something going on here. I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’m going to find out if it’s the last thing I do.”

“I simply prefer not to share my personal information with the world,” said Troop.

“You’re hiding something.”

“I’m hiding something? What would I want to hide? You’re being ridiculous.”

“Maybe.” Bruno shoved his hands into his jean pockets. “But remember this: one misstep and I’ll be waiting to take your place at Ludus.”

“I don’t make mistakes,” said Troop. I’m perfect.

“We’ll see about that.”

“If you’re making a threat, Bruno, you may very well end up being the next target of VicDay.”

The corners of Bruno’s mouth lifted slightly. “Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure. It wouldn’t be wise to target the heir of Ludus High—no matter how popular you are.”

“ Was that a threat? ”

Bruno shook his head. “No. Merely a warning. Consider yourself warned.”

Troop locked his glare onto Bruno’s icy blue eyes. Bruno held his gaze, but eventually lowered it. The first bell rang and the two boys went their separate ways.

Troop remained composed and in control on the outside, but on the inside he was shaking. No one could find out the truth about him.

Kristi’s jaw dropped open. “ What? ” she asked, thinking, Am I seriously hearing Chelsa confess murder?

Jaiden pulled them behind a gardening shed for some privacy. Chelsa swiped away at her wet eyes.

“You heard right. I killed my boyfriend.” She swallowed and continued on. “And I live with the guilt everyday. Ghost is all I have left of him. Alex gave me Ghost when he was just a cub. He snuck Ghost out of the lab where he volunteered because they were going to exterminate him.”

Neither Jaiden nor Kristi could come up with a reply. One of the droid-horses nickered, reminding them that they were still around and getting edgy.

“Come on, let’s check in at an inn for tonight. We also need to find a stable for the horses,” Kristi finally said.

Chelsa numbly followed Jaiden and Kristi, allowing them to lead her to Quick Wink Inn. The innkeeper, a bored looking girl in her early twenties, showed them to their room then left.

“Jaiden, will you go find a place for our three droid-horses to spend the night? I’ll ask around for a droid-pet buyer and purchase some supplies as well.” Kristi turned around and pushed Chelsa back onto the bed when she tried to get up. “And you’re staying in this room for now.”

She picked up the electro-slate and went outside. Kristi untied the four horses to be sold from the hitching post. Looking up at the public news-screen, a picture of Jaiden and her declared to be wanted persons flashed by.

Even though the pictures displayed were taken before their haircuts, Kristi reminded herself to buy some hair dye as soon as possible. The newscaster appeared on news-screen. She displayed her pearly whites—Kristi supposed it was the reporter’s attempt at a smile—then said:

“Two sailors were found dead this morning behind a warehouse. The police aren’t sure how they died, but wounds suggest they were stabbed to death. Citizens should report to the authorities right away if they see any suspicious activity or know of any information regarding the two murders.”

The pictures of the murder victims appeared on the screen. Kristi stifled a small gasp; they were the same two travelers she had been eavesdropping at Troll’s Tavern.

Chelsa has killed another person before. And she saw those two sailors at the Troll’s Tavern as well. Kristi whipped her head back and forth, clearing her thoughts. I refuse to believe Chelsa murdered those two people. I bet it was that shady merchant who committed the crime. Yeah, that must be it.

She checked the time scrolling across the bottom of the news-screen. It was 5:47 p.m.; she still had a decent amount of time left before curfew. Spotting a sign advertising “Drake’s Droids”, she pushed open the door and entered the shop.

Droid-dogs barked in cages, droid-parrots recited the alphabet from their perches and droid-cats sauntered around the store. Schools of droid-guppies zipped around in the Plexiglas tank being displayed in the center of the shop, their neon light pulsing beneath their opaque scales.

“How may I help you?” asked the man standing behind the register.