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her age, one boy and one girl, they were seated as well. Annette glanced at the one remaining chair in the room. Unable to remember whether the boy had been told to sit in the chair, Annette chose to leave the last chair open for Niri or Sinclair. She sat on the floor in front of the row of chairs and looked up to see one of her greatest heroes.
    Killing the moment for Annette, Sinclair stepped forward, and began to introduce the boy, “This is Anthony Simmons, he’s expressed an interest in becoming a factor, and I feel he is uniquely qualified. He’s a Tanerian, Agurian hybrid with an Everett rating of 1686. Three of his older brothers are currently running solo in the field acting in the capacity of tertiary factors.”   Angela nodded in Sinclair’s direction then glanced at Niri.
    Annette didn’t wait for Niri to step forward. She wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to introduce herself to Angela, “Hello Mrs. Daniel’s, My name is Annette Peterson. I’m basically human,” Annette paused, she didn’t have a long impressive preamble of qualifications, like Sinclair. She glanced his way and the scowl on his face chased her eyes back towards Angela, “I don’t have a measurable Everett rating, but I do have a brother who’s working in the field with his wife as a tertiary factor. Not that what he can or can’t do really tells you about me, because he’s Briaunti. The dark did something to him on our world before the factors came and brought us here. Personally, I want to be a factor, because you help people who need it, and I may have been young, but I remember what it was like to need help.” Annette stopped, that was all she had to say. Her mouth went dry and she sat.  
    Annette watched Angela for a reaction. Angela rubbed her temples, and sighed.   That didn’t sound good, but it was more of a reaction than Sinclair received. Annette glanced back around as she heard the other kids rise.
    “My name is Rupert, and this is my sister Becky. We’re   here to take this test in the hopes that this time, at least one of us will make it as a factor. Angela offered since we didn’t quite get a fair shake last time, seeing as how they’re going to do it anyway.” Annette instantly liked Rupert and Becky partly because of their story was in a way like her own, and partly because of something indefinable about their bearing.
    The two sat and Angela spoke again,   “Thank you, Niri and Sinclair, I think that’s all we’ll be needing for now, you can wait for them at the other end of the course.”
    Niri and Sinclair left, Annette felt suddenly alone. Whatever happened next would help decide her fate as a factor. Just as her anxiety was about to get the best of her, she remembered Tawny’s words earlier, and managed to calm down.
    Angela spoke, “Okay, now that everyone knows everyone else, I guess it’s time to explain the test. First, everyone seems clear that these will be strictly special circumstance tests. The prize you’re all aiming for is enrolment in factor training. Now I’d like to emphasize that, while I am mainly looking for satisfactory completion of the tests, finishing first is likely to be a point in your favor. The test you will be taking today is a preliminary skills test. Today’s test will be a timed test.   I have prepared an obstacle course, and I think it can handle two of you at a time. So I’ll take the boys first.” Angela gestured towards the transport pod in the corner of the conference room. Rupert and Anthony followed her. Angela activated the controls and they all disappeared, leaving Annette alone with the silent Becky.
    Several times Becky seemed to be close to saying something, then would remain silent.
    Finally Annette rose and sat on the chair next to her, “Hi, Becky,   my name’s Annette, seeing as we may be here a while maybe we could talk, rather than just sit here stewing.”
    “Yeah, that would be good, I guess,” Becky replied, but made no move