Sanctuary Falling by Pamela Foland

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.” Mario said on cue, briefly glaring at Sinclair for effect.
    Angela glanced at Niri and Sinclair, reminding them, with her eyes, of their promise not to reveal the ruse, “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, and Angela turned her attention back to the candidates, “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. Mario and Anthony followed her, she activated the controls and they arrived in the small prep room at the head of the course. “There are a couple of jumpsuits over there, I’d suggest you change into them, the course is a little muddy. When you’re both ready, step into the pod and activate it then follow the arrows to the end of the course, good luck.”
    Angela teleported to the small observation room overlooking the course and turned on the audio pickups for the locker room. While she listened, she glanced at the course as laid out. It wasn’t too hard, just long and tricky.   It started with twin, ten-foot balance beams set across a six-foot pit. Then it went to a knotted rope climb up to a second level rope bridge cross. After the rope bridge there was a cargo net climb down. After a short run, there was a tunnel crawl, through mud, followed by a greased inclined plane. Beyond that the course was mostly show, Angela was going declare time was up when Anthony reached the inclined plane.
    “Hey, dude, is this your first try at being a factor?” Mario asked Anthony over the sounds of zippers.
    “Yeah, but it ain’t like I’ve had to try, Stinkface keeps getting on me to sign up,” Anthony answered, “It would be kind of cool, but it seems like an awful lot of work.”
    “So you don’t even know if you want to be a factor?” Mario asked.
    “Yeah, sure, who doesn’t, I just don’t want to have to do the work,” Anthony answered.
    “I hear you there man! Except that I kind of want this more,” Angela smiled at the eager tone to her son’s voice.
    “Cool, I guess. You ready?” Anthony asked.
    “Yeah.”
    Footsteps padded across the floor to the transport pod, and Angela looked out the observation window anticipating the boys. They appeared at the head of the obstacle course. Anthony began to attack the course immediately, he raced across the balance beam as fast as was prudent. So did Mario, but he took the pre-planned fall on cue right before reaching the rope climb platform.
    Mario waited for Anthony to take notice of his plight. When that didn’t happen, Mario begged, “Hey, Tony, could you toss down a rope?” When Anthony glanced back briefly, Mario feigned difficulty pulling himself up onto the platform from the pit.
    “Yeah, right Rupert. I’m in this to win,” Anthony began scrambling up the rope.
    While he climbed, his rope tumbled over the edge. Once Anthony reached the top, Mario   used that rope to > pull’ himself out of the pit. He glanced over his shoulder, towards where he knew Angela watched, and shrugged before racing up the rope