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Bronte drew back a step, but I moved forward, toward the General.

His eyes bulged, and his jaw literally dropped when I pulled off my helmet and set it down next to his radio. “Mission accomplished,” I said and handed him the treasure bag. “We win.”

CHAPTER10

WINNERS AND LOSERS

All thirty-one Apprentices and their six mentors waited in the Hex, all eyes glued to the General, who stood in front of the Scoreboard.

“Green Team, step forward,” he ordered.

We did as he’d asked. Bronte was terribly pale, but she put on a brave face. Kylie stared at her feet. Dutch looked just as expressionless as always. Asher attempted a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. I had no idea what I looked like right now, but I could only hope I wasn’t a total mess.

“Two hours ago, these five Apprentices smashed through the gates of the Black Obelisk.”

My team had spent those two hours sitting in a room, waiting. No one had asked us a single question. No one had come in until it was time to take us back to the Castle.

“Then, masquerading as Watchers, they delivered Object 2861 to me.”

Shocked murmurs rose from the other Apprentices.

“Silence!” The General’s voice cut like a knife—no, make that a really large sword.

The crowd fell silent.

“Green Team, you stole a Government vehicle, damaged Government property, and impersonated soldiers in Gaia’s Army.” The General rattled off the charges against us, each one like a hammer striking a nail into the coffin of our future.

The other Apprentices didn’t dare start muttering again. Though a few of them were smirking.

“However,” the General said, that single word wilting their smiles, “you also demonstrated enormous perseverance when confronted with a battle you, seemingly, could not win. Furthermore, you proved you would go to any lengths to ensure the survival of your nation.”

Bronte perked up.

“You also completed the scenario’s objective and fulfilled the criteria of your individual roles.”

Ha!

“Therefore, I am declaring Green Team the winner of this Quest. You will all be awarded bonus points to reflect your exceptional performance.”

Yes!

“Well,almostall of you.” The General’s gaze snapped to me.

Uh-oh.

“Apprentices, you are dismissed. Except you, Miss Winters,” he said with a hawkish smile. “You will stay.”

The thirty other Apprentices dispersed, some more slowly than others. A few of the Victory kids were hanging back, moving at a leisurely pace, probably so they could bear witness to the major chewing-out I was about to receive.

“The General dismissed you!” the yellow Knight belted at them, and they made a run for it.

And then I was alone with the General. He paced in front of me, his hands folded behind his back, not saying a word.

Until he pivoted toward me to demand, “Well?”

“Well?” I asked.

“What do you have to say for yourself, Miss Winters?” he barked.