Chapter 59
“He chose Ralph over me?! Ralph?!” June could accept that she underperformed her roommates in this challenge. But considering the person choosing the individual points was her twin brother, June fully expected to be judged ahead of fucking Ralph. Intellectually, she understood that Jax was in a tough position. If he chose his own twin to receive the much-desired leaderboard points, it would look like nepotism. On the other hand, who the shit cared what it looked like? She would have the points, and that would be that.
The night’s bombshells and surprise reveals weren’t over, though, as members of the production crew whisked The Tycoon away and brought in The War. Little was known about The War. All June knew was that he currently occupied the seat of The Warrior and that he didn’t take any shit from anyone during public appearances and interviews.
The septuagenarian currently standing at the head of the conference room table spoke with an old-school Brooklyn accent as he introduced himself and explained why the contestants weren't already back in their dorm rooms and fast asleep. “Hello. I am The War. I was in the war. And, for the next month, you will all be in a war. Starting tonight, you, twenty-four, will be taking part in War Games.”
Fuck. Yes! This sounded right up June’s alley. Fuck the whole “the most social media followers wins” bullshit. June was ready and willing. She was going to win War Games. She just knew it.
The War continued, “You will be split into four teams, and each team will be given a fortress to defend. If any team occupies all four fortresses, and flies its team’s flag atop each one at the same time, they will earn a point. Whichever team has the most points at the end of the next 30 days wins. Everyone on the winning team will be granted 10 points.”
Okay. So this was going to be a fancy, four-way, capture-the-flag game. June wondered how the teams would be chosen. She knew, if she had any chance at all, she wanted her brother on her team. Sure, he chose fucking Ralph over her in the last challenge, but Jax had a brilliant tactical mind. June knew she was a rocket launcher: Powerful. But, she needed someone who knew where to point that much power. Jax was that person.
As The War explained the option to knock competitors out or to subdue them and throw them in jail, June was thinking about who she wanted to be teamed up with.
Jax would be a great strategist. She and Ken could be the muscle. Her team would also need some defense and versatility. Bobby and Bailey had the most adaptable powers, from what she could tell. Sure, June hadn’t had the time to learn the ins and outs of everyone’s abilities. But, the power to conjure stories, or activate a word’s energy… they could tackle nearly any challenge. Joel’s sleep gift was also interesting. In a game like this, he could neutralize anyone without having to physically subdue them, which would make him, in certain situations the most valuable Challenger of the twelve. June wished she had paid more attention to the All-Stars’ abilities. Heck, if she had paid more attention to Herald news and entertainment, she might have known a hell of a lot more about the All-Stars than she knew about her fellow Challengers. But meta-celebrity gossip was never her thing. She was too busy working to eventually become a Herald, herself.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
So, as The War wrapped up his recitation of the War Games rules, June had already formed her ideal team in her head. Which was all blown to hell when The War said, “So, let’s get to choosing teams! The following competitors will be team captains: Horizon, Hieroglyph, Olympian, and Handimorph.”
June wondered how the heck they came up with that random group for team captain when The War added, “...The leaderboard leaders of the All-Stars and Challengers, Horizon and Hieroglyph, plus two competitors voted on by America.”
Ah. That made more sense. Well, if each team wouldl have six members, this meant that at least two of the teams would be mixed, with at least one All-Star or Challenger. The other two could be completely All-Star or completely Challenger. So Bailey was her only hope of a squad with all challengers. If she wanted to be on that squad, she had to hope that no one chose her in the first two rounds, since Bailey would likely pick Joel and Bobby in those rounds. Her mood dipped even further when she realized that Jax would have to last another round as well. With his amazing performances in the last couple of challenges, it was unlikely they would be on a team together with their friends. The thing June had failed to realize was that in this world, like in so many across the multi-verse, nepotism was the most powerful force of all. And on that day, it would work to her immense benefit.
***
The Justice, Solomon, stepped off of the elevator and stormed past about two dozen of The Show’s clones on the way to Flint’s office. He ignored the eerie feeling of having two dozen similar entities all turn their heads to look at him, as he burst through the doors into Flint’s home away from home.
“And what, in god's name, was that bullshit?”
“You are going to have to be a bit more specific, Solomon,” Flint answered. “It’s been quite a long day. A long week in fact.”
“I don’t give a shit about your long week, Network. What I do care about is the fact that you are using this goddamn reality show to split up my family.” Solomon stared straight into Flint’s soul, but was met with a network of mimicked emotions and posturing.
“First of all, my friend, I am doing nothing of the sort,” but before The Show could get to his second point, Solomon interrupted.
“Don’t try to spin me, Flint. I know how you work. For instance, how is it that all the other “yes” votes had to flee after they were outvoted in the last Council Convention, while you were able to remain here in your tower, toiling away on all your little plans and productions?”
“That would be an excellent point if it weren’t completely wrong. As you recall, both Eclipse and The War voted with me, and are still here. While some of the “nay" votes also... How did you put it? Fled?”
“Oh, come on! No one takes Barry seriously. And look what happened to Eclipse!”
“You think the two are related?” Flint’s tone turned serious as he asked the question.
“Of course, they are related! Drop the act, Flint, we all know you were there with him that night. Working on your little-”
“Ahh. More baseless accusations,” Flint didn’t have to call, or snap, or whistle, as a handful of clones approached his office. “My Network here will remove you from my Tower. Please call ahead next time, I am very busy. And in case you forgot, the only business we have together is ensuring that a rightful heir sits in Eclipse’s seat. And, concerning that, things are well in hand. Have a good day, Solomon.”
As Solomon was removed from The Show’s Tower, he calmly shouted over his shoulder at Flint, “Don’t screw with my family, Flint. Or I will ensure you see what Justice looks like.”