57 years ago.

Along the road was the military, and at the front, Felix's father.

Samuel lowered his smoking pistol which he just fired in the air as he marched towards his son and sister, his soldiers following him and keeping the people at the side of the street on the perimeter. His warning shot was directed towards the lottery winners who remained motionless on the ground, hands in the air and faces down in the dirt.

The rifles and pistols which Samuel and his military held, constructed two years ago from Samuel's fear of the night animals that had attacked his son, were entirely in the hands of Samuel's military and police force which the populace had half-heartedly agreed to after seeing the damage they had inflicted on Felix. The construction of war weapons was the first promise Samuel had revoked, and even Mayla who was notoriously anti-weapon relented, noting that there had to be a defense for those venturing out of the safety of the Ring to conduct research.

But the weapons which were intended to only be for researchers in dangerous places spread like wildfire amongst Samuel's military. An 'over-manufacturing error', as Samuel called it, and the military and police demanding weapons to more effectively do their jobs, resulted in their wide dispersion within the government. This haunted Felix, who of all people knew how opposed his father and aunt were to the construction of weapons. How could they go back on a principle that they held so dearly so quickly?

Felix adored his father, but he knew his rule must end. The power was poisoning him. He yearned for his father to become a retired citizen and come back to reality, away from the burden of ruling. The new Election Assessment was a week ago to the day, and the results were released at midnight. Some of the strongest supporters of Samuel were somewhat hopeful for a change, the construction of weapons acting as somewhat of a tipping point.

Many predicted Ffion to win this year, her scores only increasing the last two assessments and only narrowly losing to Samuel three years prior.

Felix was almost certain Mayla could win on her Intelligence scores alone. She won in the Intelligence category by a landslide the last two Assessments, but her scores were woefully low in other categories like Governing and Sociological Principles. He was convinced Mayla purposely did poor on these portions of the test, which was a crime to underperform on purpose. Leading simply seemed of no interest to her, and to Felix it seemed she was capable of abandoning her principles to keep doing what she loved. Exploring.

"My son, sister," Samuel said as he met them and hugged them. "Any revelations from beyond the walls?"

"Nothing to report, but significant progress," Mayla said to him, diverting her eyes feet-ward.
Samuel nodded smiling at the two of them. "Well, keep up the good work and update me when you find something. I have exciting news for both of you, please come with me."

Samuel began to turn and march back towards the centre of the Ring, Nighthawk, when he snapped and turned back around, pretending he had forgotten something, pistol in hand. Felix was uneasy as he unloaded his lab supplies. Mayla appeared to share the discomfort.

Samuel signalled for his soldiers to form a tight line along each side of the road to shield the view of the onlookers. He crouched down next to the laying people, and picked up a red ticket and thoughtfully inspected it before throwing it back to the ground.

"My sister and son, out of the goodness of their hearts, while conducting valuable research for the good of all of you," Samuel began yelling, pointing at everyone along the streets, "have brought back delicacies for your enjoyment. Delicacies you do not need. Delicacies that I've told them make us weak as a people. Nevertheless, I relented and allowed them to bring these treats to you all, hoping some rewards for all of your hard work and discipline would bring back some gratitude. And how do you repay them? You crowd their vehicle and risk contaminating their research and progress."

Samuel tisked as he stood. He randomly pointed to members from the crowd. "You, you, you, and you. You're lottery winners this week. Take the food that these ingrates could not wait for."

The soldiers that lined the streets allowed the new lottery winners to sheepishly collect the fallen vegetables and fruits, as the people laying down had tears forming in their eyes. "Go home, everyone. Don't worry, you'll be rid of me in just a few hours. I know I've ruined your party but there has to be an adult amongst us bringing some semblance of order and safety."

Many crowd members began to return to their cube homes, but many stayed along the parallel lines of the soldiers as the Alva family made their way back to Nighthawk. The family was practically fictional at this point, closely resembling royalty, and hard for the average citizen to not inspect with awe out of jealousy, anger, and admiration all wrapped into one with a neatly tied black bow.

"Must be nice seeing outside so often, you little punk. Daddy's really hooked you up, hasn't he?" a gruff looking man from the side snapped at Felix. "Let us go to the Outposts. We could farm full-time unlike these robots, only interested in their chemistry sets. Let us live our lives," The man yelled, and then spat at Felix.

Felix flinched as a gob of spit hit his cheek. He wiped it off with his sleeve, his temper flaring, ready to charge the man but composed himself. His father saw the event unfold, and walked slowly towards where the gob of spit had come from.

Two soldiers spotted the man who had tried to retreat backwards into the cover of the crowd, but it was too late for him. He was rapidly collected and thrown into the middle of the street before Mayla, Felix, and Samuel. Military members crowded, but Samuel waved them off. He wanted the crowds to see the man on his knees.

"Did you just spit at my son?" Samuel said calmly to the man.

Felix interjected, "Dad, it's okay just let him go..."

"Shut your mouth, Felix," Samuel snapped back at Felix.

Mayla grabbed him and pulled him backwards. Felix fell silent. He was not scared of his father. But he was scared of what was transpiring. The precedent it was setting.

"I spit at you, sir," the burly man said indignantly, "This is no way to allow us to live. Like some farm animals."

Samuel looked skyward, and said, "I think you're right. You don't deserve the life that we have given you. We work tirelessly to keep you safe. You and your family." Samuel signalled to his son, and continued, "Have you seen the scars on my son? The evidence of what lurks out beyond the walls?"

The man retorted, "When you lose tonight, whoever comes next, they'll protect us within these walls and beyond them, better than you ever could..."

In a flash, Samuel slapped the man across the face with the back of his hand. The crowd gasped. Felix's ears went red and hot as fast as his father's attack finalized. It was the first instance of violence Samuel inflicted personally on a civilian. He ran to his father and grabbed him. "Dad, let's go."

Samuel pushed his son back and turned towards the man. "Say it again."

The man grabbed his bleeding cheek and looked up to Samuel, this time fearful and dazed, trembling and sweating. "I'm... I'm sorry..."

Samuel crouched down, bringing his face close to the man's, and said, "This government has saved your life more times than you can count. I can assure you that. Thank us. It might be the last time you can."

The people uncomfortably looked at one another, unsure whether he was referring to the man's life, or the pending election results and a new regime.

The man looked groundward and at the crowds of people. Silence pulsated over everyone, including the man. He looked up again at Samuel, and through tears forced a "Thank you."

Samuel nodded slowly and helped the man to his feet, and hugged the man. Felix knew exactly what his father was doing. The display of contempt immediately followed by compassion was no accident. It resembled a kidnapper treating their victims with kindness. It was a textbook case of psychologically controlling the people. He released the man back into the comfort of the crowd.

"Never question me in front of them again," Samuel said to his son when he returned from the man.

They continued their route to Nighthawk with the military escorting them. Felix shared an anxious glance with his aunt.

"That was shameful," a loud voice from the crowd said behind. It was Ffion, who Samuel smiled at.

"When you rule for six years, Ffion, you'll know what I now do."

The Alva family continued walking towards their home.

***

The Alva family had arrived back at Nighthawk, and took a sliding elevator that penetrated deep into the ship and then vertically to the hospital wing. Waiting for them in the large lobby was Felix's fiancé, Nicole. Nicole smiled and brushed away her smooth brown hair from her face, grabbing Felix's face and kissing his cheek.

"My love," she said to him, bringing him close to her and wrapping her arms around his neck, always excited to see him return safe from his journeys. Felix awkwardly hugged her now large body as best he could, smiling and tucking her hair behind her ear, and said, "How is she?"

Samuel's secret police had been stationed outside of Gwenta's hospital room as the Alva's entered. Gwenta lay in a green and white bed, smiling and holding a bundle of cloth and flesh in her arms. She held her finger to her lips as they entered, her newborn sleeping in her arms, and in a chair off to the corner was her husband Jackea Reekmeer, holding another being. Felix had no idea she was to have her twins two weeks prematurely.

"I should have figured you were having them early. Didn't know how to say you were looking a little fat even for pregnancy, sis, glad you finally shed those extra pounds," Felix whispered to his sister and hugged her. She playfully slapped his cheek as he handed her two white vibrant stones which he had collected from the field. It sparkled in the hospital light, and Felix had etched two names into each before he arrived.

She gasped at the stones, but not for their beauty. "How did you know what I'd name them? Jackea spoiled it, didn't he?"

Felix shook his head and smiled at his sister. "A magician never reveals his tricks but no, your husband didn't ruin the party."

Samuel shook Jackea's hand and patted his daughters head, smiling and eyes filled with joyful tears as she passed her baby to her father, now a grandfather.

Nicole put her head on Felix's shoulder, and took his hand in his. "Maybe we'll have twins, too. Twice the fun. What are we going to do with all of these Alva's?"

Felix placed his hand on Nicole's stomach, which bulged it seemed more and more every day. He smiled at her, her light brown eyes full of love and joy and innocence. She was his perfect escape from the politics involved of being the leader's son for so long. It was still surreal he would be a father soon. Nicole had already picked out the name if it was a girl. 'Lisla'.

The family let Gwenta and her newborns sleep as they took a shuttle car back to the command centre, wishing her and Jackea a good sleep. The Alva's had it to themselves for the night, to celebrate Gwenta's delivery and the end of Samuel's rule. Everyone except Nicole drank wine and feasted on some fruits and cheeses Mayla had snuck in from her vehicle as they watched the main dark red screen in the command centre, which would soon be displaying the results of the Election Assessment.

"Does anyone even know what she called those things?" a drunk Mayla said, laughing and putting her arm on Felix's shoulder. Mayla wasn't much of a drinker, but she always did on the nights the Election Assessment results were released.

Samuel now appeared to be himself again, lighthearted, and happy for his daughter, and to be a grandparent. To be a normal family man. "The boy is Solan, the girl is Maeve."

"Maeve, I like that," Nicole said aloud, holding her glass of water in the air. "To Marvelous Maeve and Splendid Solan, let them be smarter and more beautiful than the Magnificent Mayla."

Everyone laughed and poked Mayla, holding their glasses high and clinking them.

Felix put his arm around Nicole, grinning. He felt at peace and comfortable after the confrontation hours before. The Alva family growing and his father finally relinquished of the impossible task of leading. They were desperate for a semblance of normality, and Gwenta's newborns provided that for the moment.

The main screen of the command centre turned blue as names began to appear on the screen, along with the scores of each section of each person in the entire population sixteen years and older who were eligible for the assessment. It was an exhilarating and terrifying moment for everyone in the population. The fear of being at the top of the list was always a concern for any normal and sane person, thrust upon with the responsibility to lead thousands of people. The media stream of the government had made the Election Assessment results a form of entertainment, something the population was desperate for. It was watching a reality show they were all a part of.

The names began to scroll to the top of the list more quickly. No one in the room saw their name yet. Nicole was first to spot hers, and everyone cheered for her.

"3079, Nicole? In the top two percent of the population if my mental math is right."

Nicole softly punched her fiancés arm, who was in the top hundred in the last assessment when he was first entered, which was unheard of for someone his age at the time.

The names surged to the last one hundred finalists. Gwenta was listed at sixty seven, but still no other Alva's were listed yet.

"Don't tell her until morning. It would kill her to see Felix beat her again this year," Mayla said, sipping from her drink and leaning back deeply in a command chair.

Felix laughed uneasily. It was a funny feeling for the people to watch their results. A part of everyone wanted to see their quantified worth stacked up higher than their peers, while another part dreaded the thought of getting closer to the peak, and closer to the impossible position.

Nicole knew Felix had the capabilities to lead, but desperately did not want him to. She saw the toll it took on his father, and did not want the same fate for the father of her future children. She gripped his hand.

Fifty to forty, no Alvas.

To thirty, no Alvas.

Mayla, Felix, and Samuel shifted in their chairs. Nicole gripped Felix's hand tighter.

Samuel attempted to break the tension in the room, and said, "Has anyone seen Ffion's name yet? I've been so focused on whether mine is up I haven't been looking for that ghastly woman."

To twenty, no Alvas.

To ten, no Alvas.

To five, no Alvas.

Felix was now in the top five for the first time in his life, and the first time for anyone under twenty years of age to enter the top twenty, as the screen indicated along with other worthless statistics that flashed on the screen.

Finally, Nicole and Felix exhaled as his name flashed at four. Both relieved. His forehead and palms were drenched in sweat. Samuel patted his son on his back.

But his relief soon fell back to fear. Three left. A two-thirds chance an Alva would rule again. It was a giant hole in the theory of this Meritocracy. How long could the population put up with power being consolidated in the hands of a few highly qualified individuals? For having lucky genes and lucky environments that no one had picked? Privilege that they had been born into affording them these high scores on the Assessment?

Even worse, the Meritocracy was Mayla and Samuel's brainchild. And here they were, on the verge of winning again. How long before the population realized it was a system the Alvas made to keep themselves in power, even though this was not the intention?

Mayla's name was displayed at 3 after a suspenseful lag on the screen. She put her face in her hands, obviously relieved.

Felix scanned her scores, and realized again her Intelligence scores were ranked first by more than two thousand points, but her other scores weighing her down. Felix looked at his aunt suspiciously.

Everyone in the command centre gripped their chairs waiting for the second ranked person to be displayed.

The moments that followed felt like an eternity, almost to the point where Felix was going to elevator down to the Media wing and strangle the crew. Please be Dad at two, he thought to himself.

Ffion Oddisy, ranked at two.

The room exhaled.

A third term of Samuel.

Nicole gripped Felix's hand which was drenched in sweat, his skin was hot as he watched and waited for his father's reaction. The secret police entered the command centre to congratulate Samuel and secure the area, shaking his hand and scanning the streets below for any signs of civil unrest.

Felix expected to see the swarms of people in the streets through the front window of the command centre, but the cubed homes remained silent and still, the buildings standing like sleeping giants. Everyone stayed in their homes. The military was now cascading along the streets and maintaining order that Felix thought would be broken. People were fascinating, with what and how they endured.

"Well. Heavy lies the crown, my loving family," Samuel said to his son and sister, putting his hand on Nicole and Felix's shoulder. "If you don't mind, I would like to get some sleep. It's been quite the day." Samuel would now maintain the command centre quarters as the ruler's office and chamber.

The police ushered them out of Samuel's command room, as Felix watched his father shake hands with his other officials vowed to him. He kept watching as long as he could as he exited the command centre, expecting, and hoping, to see a glimmer of sadness at his continued responsibility. A sign... a glimmer even... that he didn't want the role, but would do so for the people, as the most competent leader in the colony but also as the most level-headed one. A sign he was not yet the man Felix saw down on the streets when he slapped the dissenting man.

The command centre door sealed shut, but Felix never saw even the faintest sign of disappointment, of discontent, of disillusionment. Through the mask his father had stitched together over years, Felix saw the worst possible emotion he could imagine: Relief. Relief that he had won.

As Mayla, Felix, and Nicole were shuttled upwards back to their chambers, Felix couldn't help but analyze his aunt. Why did she purposely do poor on the Assessment? A new and darker realization dawned on Felix.

Was Mayla concerned about leading in and of itself, or how Samuel would react to her winning?