The Hunt Read Online Free PDF Page B

yellow. And moral, blue.” They watched as the figure moved through all twelve chambers, each lighting up with one of the four colors. “What you see here is the previous Gauntlet’s schematic. It occurred here six hundred rotations ago—about twenty years. Four humans and two Scoates ran it, all unsuccessfully. Each time, the puzzles within the Gauntlet change. We will not know ahead of time the order of puzzles or what specific skills each puzzle will test.”
    Beyond the alcove screen, the sound of another hunt announcement began. Cora threw a look toward the screen, where she could just barely make out the sounds of the blond bartender speaking. “It isn’t sounding any less dangerous.”
    â€œThat is why I placed a variety of puzzles in your previous enclosure. You did not realize it at the time, but I was preparing each of you. The Gauntlet’s intellectual puzzles could take the form of anagram puzzles like in the candy shop, or the number games in the toy store. The physical puzzles might be climbing, like in the forest. Or balance, like in the sledding course.” He paused. “But there is a key difference. In your previous enclosure, you were always safe. If you fell in the forest’s treetop puzzle, you would only land on soft pine needles. If you got lost in the desert’s maze, there was ample water and shade. But those were merely training modules. In the real Gauntlet, there will be no safety nets. If you fall, you fall.”
    Cora’s stomach tightened. “And you really think those puzzles trained me well enough?”
    â€œWe will have to hope so.” At the look of apprehension that crossed her face, he added, “I would not have chosen you, or any of the other potential candidates, if you hadn’t already shown exceptional abilities. Humans are already quite advanced in physical, intellectual, and moral development. It is the perception category that will require further training. We have just over two rotations until the Gauntlet module arrives. There is a docking procedure that takes one-tenth of a rotation, about three days. All in all, we have roughly thirty days to prepare.” He pressed the device again, and the blueprints folded back up into it and flickered off.
    Cora blinked at the bare table. There was something about itall that made her skin tingle in an exciting way, urging her to take this chance—but then she saw that same flash of excitement on Cassian’s face too, and it killed hers.
    â€œDon’t bother,” she said. “I don’t need to know how, because I’m not going to run it. It’s just a game to you, moving us around like chess pieces.”
    â€œYou don’t understand what is at stake. By the next Gauntlet, enough time will have passed that humanity’s evolution will be obvious. But instead of supporting it, the Intelligence Council will suppress it. We must do this before they understand your potential, while they think it is still harmless to let you run. It must be now. It must be this Gauntlet. You must have a sponsor; naturally, that will be me. That is how all of this will be possible.”
    She crossed her arms tight, trying to act indifferent, though the allure of the Gauntlet was still fresh in her mind. “Then find a different girl to run.”
    â€œThere have been other candidates—Anya, for one—but none of them worked out. Even if another human displayed potential at this point, that human would not be able to sufficiently develop his or her abilities in time. It must be you.” He paused. “I want it to be you, Cora.”
    At the sound of her name, spoken not in his monotone voice but like that day on the beach, standing in the surf, her skin started to tingle in that dangerous way.
    She turned away sharply. “I don’t need puzzles or bureaucrats or scorecards to tell me humans are intelligent.” She slid open the alcove screen.