Superior Sample

Joyce clutched her tablet in her hands, pressing the edge into her lap as she waited for her meeting. If this failed, she risked losing everything. It had to work.

Only one other person knew what Joyce was up to. Her trustworthy assistant, Hilde Long. Hilde had remained at the office to field any suspicions regarding Joyce’s absence.

The waiting room outside the Director of Military Affairs’ office was comfortable, but not nearly as welcoming as the Paragon Directors’ offices. The walls were concrete, as was the floor, though it was polished to a shine. The chair Joyce sat in must have been a relic from the old military days, before the Second Civil War destroyed everything. Joyce took a moment to make sure her cropped blonde hair was in place. First impressions mattered.

The Board would see soon enough. Joyce had a clear vision of what was to come for Paragon Diagnostics, a vision that would take the company beyond anything the current CEO could even fathom. That Dr. Finnias had rejected her proposal after a well thought-out and detailed presentation only served as further proof that he was unfit to lead.

Joyce was destined for greatness. She had known it from a young age when her Power first manifested at eleven—a full year before anyone else in her class at Clement High School. It had shocked her parents, whose Powers leaned toward the weaker side, and she far outshined her sister, whose Psionic Power barely made a blip on the radar. By the time Testing Day came, the school used Joyce as an example of what other students should strive toward. None of them could touch her level, though. Joyce’s outstanding Power gave her the chance to escape the poverty of the eastern borough.

Before Career Day in her last year of high school, Paragon Diagnostics had already recruited her. They recognized her talent even at a young age. Her skills with Naturalist Manipulation were far superior to others. By the age of twenty, she was head of her research department, which focused on understanding the determining factors of Powers. Joyce displayed an aptitude for leadership and for research that revealed the ineptitude of the current department head. For the next two years, Joyce toiled tirelessly, and her hard work paid off. Joyce’s research had discovered something no one else had even been able to approach—the linking mechanism behind each classification of Powers.

And Joyce’s fame grew. Interviews. Publications. Speaking engagements. Everyone wanted to talk to her.

Naturally, her groundbreaking discovery came with another promotion, this time to Director of Research. The youngest director in the history of Paragon Diagnostics.

But that was where her climb up the corporate ladder came to a grinding halt. Joyce gave Paragon everything, and the Board continually shook her hand every time she gave them another breakthrough. Six years of late nights and neglecting a social life. Six years of advances not just in her research, but the technology that Paragon sold to citizens. Joyce’s ability to navigate and manipulate organic matter helped the city of Elpis jump forward decades. Yet they still wouldn’t make her a member of the Board, a promotion she more than deserved for everything she contributed to the company.

The pitch to Dr. Jason Finnias, Paragon Diagnostics current CEO, had been some of Joyce’s best work. Paragon was already set up for her proposal. They had the test subjects in-house. The budget for the project fell well below the current costs. The tools necessary for this research were in place. All Dr. Finnias had to do was say yes.

But he didn’t.

Joyce tried to get a vote of no-confidence from the Board, but Dr. Finnias had too many board members in his pocket. The fact was, if Joyce couldn’t remove him from his position, she would rise no further in the ranks.

So she did the only thing that naturally came next. Joyce submitted a somewhat redacted version of the proposal to the Director of Military Affairs within the government.

The DMA’s assistant worked behind his desk. His lack of broad shoulders—unlike most of the people around this office—made it clear enough that he wasn’t a Somatic. All Somatics had a telltale more muscular build than anyone else. Unfortunately, his perfectly pressed army-green uniform covered any of the brands that would have revealed his particular Branch of Power. Perhaps a Psionic with Telepathy, in which case, Joyce was thankful Hilde’s Power guarded her thoughts.

The office door opened and a tall man with shoulders broad enough to hold a tree stepped through. His black hair was cut close to his head, but streaks of gray at his temples showed his age. He lumbered toward Joyce and held out his rather large hand. “Dr. Cass, I’m Director Seaduss. I’m happy you’re here.”

Joyce stood and calmly smoothed her pencil skirt before shaking his hand. She always gave off an air of confidence that compelled others to follow. “As am I, Director Seaduss.”

Without giving a command, Seaduss turned and headed not toward his office, but down the hall. Joyce didn’t miss a step following, though she couldn’t help being curious why they weren’t meeting in his office.

“Your proposal has the Department of Military Affairs intrigued,” Seaduss said as he passed several closed doors. Most of the nameplates on the doors were for other leading officers—Colonel Daniels, Major Powers, Major General Wright, General Sim—all of whom were some of the best Somatic Strongarms in Elpis.

“I’m glad to hear you are interested, Director Seaduss,” Joyce said, struggling to keep stride with him in her heels without making it look like she was having a hard time.

“Your reputation for results precedes you, Dr. Cass. The military has always watched the research your company completes with keen interest.” He stopped and held a door open for her, his back straight and eyes forward.

Before stepping through, Joyce glanced at the plate on the door: Room 218. That didn’t tell her much.

But the gathering inside did.