Ursa Major - Naomi Lucas Page 0,1
“Yes.”
“You have competed in local tournaments since you were twelve, even winning many against veterans in the field.”
She nodded.
“Do you have a partner you work with?”
“No. I work alone.” Most Terraform Zero players played with others. Not her. She never had the friends to form an alliance nor had the means to buy her way into one. When she was younger, she desperately wanted to be a part of a team. But as the years went on, finding one became harder as she became more isolated, and she realized that she worked better alone.
She learned so much more that way.
Now she was known for being a soloer. Making all my opponents’ teams look bad. She liked that.
Nightheart’s brow fell. “Hmm.”
Please don’t let that be a problem.
“We can give you three million credits to get you to the championship.”
Her mind went blank at the offered amount.
She barely had enough credits to cover her rent and food each month. Three million would not only get her to the championship, but it’d get her there in style. I could buy all new equipment and still live like a queen after the tournament!
“And guarantee you a job if you win,” he continued, turning back to her with his unnerving eyes. Dull yellow eyes, to be exact. Yellow eyes that seemed more fitting for a monster or a demonic fiend. “The Earthian Planetary Exploration Division has partners—friends—in that field.”
“I don’t know what to say except why? Why me?”
He threaded his long fingers and placed them on the desk. “You’re young. You have a fairly large following, and there is nothing in your past that would hold you back or reflect badly on the EPED.”
His lips twitched. She could’ve sworn she saw lines of numbers flick over his pupils, but he blinked, and they were gone before she could decide.
“We’ve reviewed countless applications in the last few months, Vee Miles, and not one has looked as good as yours. One that has everything we want. Although—” the Cyborg cocked his head “—there are several others we are considering.”
She bit down on her tongue, knowing his meaning. If I don’t accept and accept soon, I’ll lose this chance.
“Are you still interested?” he asked.
“I am. Where do I sign?”
Nightheart’s lips twitched again. “That easily?” He lifted his hands from the desk. Big, pale hands. The kind that could wring her neck or break her spine before she blinked—or both.
Why am I thinking this?
He handed her a folder.
She opened it to find two paper contracts and a pen. “I wouldn’t have applied if I wasn’t serious. I read the terms and conditions prior. I’ll read them again now.” Though, literally, she really had nothing to lose. No money, no prospects, not even real freedom. She couldn’t afford it.
And those who worked for, or affiliated with a corporation like the EPED, were known for being taken care of. Perhaps…because it’s run by a Cyborg that’ll change. People flocked to work for a place like the EPED because it was at least something, a way to improve one’s life.
“You don’t want a lawyer present?” he asked.
“I can’t afford a lawyer.”
“Ah. There is one caveat though, Vee Miles. One you must follow without exception that was not advertised on our site.”
Vee glanced up from the contract. “A caveat?”
She lowered the folder into her lap as he explained.
That night, Vee lay on her bed while the day rushed through her mind. Hours had gone by, signing page after page. A digital copy was sent to her personal IP identification immediately after.
Nightheart explained everything. That if she won the Terraform Zero Championship, she would get to keep the prize. That if she didn’t win or receive a high-profile job from the event, she would be given one at the EPED.
They’re better than the military, she mused. Workers were hard to come by, and right now, one of the freedoms she did have was that she was able to work for herself… for the time being.
Vee made sure to add a clause in the contract that if she placed second or third, even if she worked for the EPED afterward, she would be allowed to participate in next year’s championship if she qualified. Sponsorship or not.
Details were hashed out.
In one week, the three million credits would be in her account.
She grabbed her pillow, pressed it to her face, and screamed with heart-thundering excitement. Every fiber, every muscle seized with disbelief. She screamed a little more until her neighbor banged on the wall and yelled at