Aella ran her fingers over the scarlet felt of the chair arm as she stared out of the gilded window of the train car and through the glass panes of the train tube to the dark sea below. She blinked as the early sun moved higher above the horizon, the frozen expanse glittering like diamonds. To the north, barely rising above the horizon and ocean, the icy tundra of the Capitol Complex could be seen glittering in the distance.

She moved her legs under the small marble-topped table so they rested on the seats opposite her and slouched in the chair, the silk fabric of her dress swishing with her movement. She covered her chest with her bare arms, her hand feeling where her Diplomatic Corps patch should have been. She leaned her head back against the chair and sighed.

"May I offer milady something to refresh her, some cocoa, perhaps?" a tenor voice called to her.

She turned her head to the man and shook it. "No, but thank you, Jerry."

He nodded and turned back to wiping the already gleaming marble countertop, humming a soft tune to himself. "It's going to be a beautiful day today, milady. And if I may say so, one of the most amazing sights you will ever see in the Consortium is when the biodome comes into view. It is like nothing else in the Quadrants." He looked up at her and waved his wag. "And I've seen all of the Quadrants."

The car smelled like freshly-baked pastries and fruits, making her stomach rumble and her mouth water. Aella smiled as she looked out of the window. The black, icy waves were beautiful in all of their deadly, raging glory. She jerked upright, her feet falling to the floor as the train began to move, and the glass panes of the tube began to blur.

She stiffened and looked ahead as the door behind her slid open. She watched in her peripheral vision as Jerry bowed, and remained into position until a deeper voice released him.

"Founder," he said.

Aella started to stand as the Founder came to her table, but slowly sat back down as he waved his hand.

"Have you eaten?"

Aella shook her head, her arm moving to her chest as she bowed forward over the table. "No, Founder."

He sat down across from her, motioning for her to sit down. She straightened and sat in her chair, her back straight against the plush cushions. He was dressed in a rich scarlet brocade tunic, a white silk shirt peeking out of the v-shaped cut. His embroidered scarlet silk pants rustled as he sat down on the chair.

Jerry moved over to them with a tray, setting down two drinks and a plate of intricately carved fruit. "What would you like this morning, my lord?"

Aella watched as the Founder barely blinked as he turned back to the barista. "Has the 24 Quadrant sent their shipment to the Complex yet?"

The man nodded and gave a slight bow. "Yes, sir, and we restocked before we left. The freezer is full."

"Then I shall have the usual," he said, smiling up at the man.

Aella took a deep breath as the barista turned to her. "My Lady?" She looked from the barista to the table, her eyes searching nothing.

The Founder chuckled. "I keep my personal train stocked with almost anything one could ever want, Aella. But if you would allow me, I could order something for you?"

Aella smiled, exhaling. "I think that would be wise. I will know more about the options next time."

The Founder nodded and turned back to the barista. "Have the chef prepare something light but savory and filling, fit for someone recovering. Have him add one of his apple tarts with cream, and some of the olive salad he made last night as well."

Jerry bowed."Very good, sir; an excellent choice, as always. I will relay your instructions to the chef immediately." He smiled at Aella before stepping away and heading out of the door that led to the rest of the train.

Aella turned to the Founder, watching him as he reached for a slice of pineapple. "Thank you, Founder."

He nodded. "My chef prepares an excellent array of combined dishes. He will look through your Facility records to see what your favorites are, and go from there."

"Thank you," she told him, taking a deep breath to relax her muscles.

The Founder smiled, the skin around his eyes crinkling. He sat forward and rested his elbows on the table, resting his head on his clasped fingers. "Now, tell me something about yourself. What are your dreams? What do you want to accomplish with your life?"

Aella smiled, turning her head to the window and looking out at the gray blur. She felt goosebumps break out on her skin as she felt the cold of the icy sea wash over her. She closed her eyes, shutting out the explosions that echoed in her ears. Her voice felt heavy, and she clenched her fists beneath the table. "I want to use my life to make sure that evil is destroyed," she said, turning to the Founder and opening her eyes. She felt her face stiffen as her eyes narrowed. She would kill whoever ordered the attack on her Quadrant.

He smiled even wider and nodded once. "I want to tell you a story. I had a son, an Apprentice for Advisor, named Garron. He was much like you, ready to take on the world and anyone in it. He had no fear, no ties that held him down to this Earth. One might say he lived in the stars and used their power. In truth, I envied that about him."

Aella frowned. Stars? The man wasn't making sense.

"You might know him better as Legend of the Alpha Game, Bringer of Death."

She raised an eyebrow. The murder of Bringer of Death had devastated the Consortium, and renewed the hatred against the rebels and the few Trinity that remained outside of the Consortium's borders. "I didn't know that he was your Apprentice."

The Founder nodded. "He was murdered in an attack by Trinity, and left an opening in my administration."

Aella tilted her head, glancing back down at the table, her eyes searching back and forth. Trinity was in the Game. She looked up at him, then bowed her head to him. "I am sorry for your loss. But I have to ask how this relates to me?"

The Founder smiled. "Your skills will be better used in the Capitol Complex, my dear. I want to offer you the position as my Apprentice. You would assume your duties after you have finished in the Game. I was assured that you had been briefed last night as to all that this position entails, and your status if you choose to accept. You would become a part of my family, joining my son and my Diplomatic Apprentice, [name]" He paused, and swallowed, looking for a fraction of a moment, nervous. "Do you accept the position of Security Advisor Apprentice to the Founder?"

Aella leaned back against the chair, taking a deep breath. She nodded and bowed her head. "I accept the position of Security Advisor Apprentice under your leadership, Founder." She raised her head and smiled.

The Founder smiled wider, showing his white teeth. He lowered his hands, using his right arm to reach into a pocket inside his coat.

Aella's eyes widened as he laid the necklace on the table. The rubies and diamonds elegantly dropped from the simple silver chain. He picked up the necklace and stood, walking toward her. "Stand up."

Aella stood, turning around. The Founder lowered the necklace down in front of her face and against her collarbone, fastening it behind her neck. She glanced down at the necklace, seeing it sparkle against her skin. It fit her perfectly.

The Founder moved back to his seat and looked her over. "You look beautiful, my dear. " He folded his hands in front of him on the table, waiting as Aella resumed her seat.

Aella raised a hand to the necklace and smiled. "Thank you, Founder. I will treasure this gift."

He opened his mouth then paused when the door to the car slid open. He smiled and used an arm to motion someone forward.

Aella turned her head as Jerry entered, a silver tray on his shoulder. He lowered it and placed a plate in front of the Founder. Aella's mouth watered as the spicy aroma of shrimp and rice stew filled the air. The white bowl contrasted with the thick, black-colored contents that were held inside of it.

"Arros Negre," the Founder said. "It is my favorite dish. I have my chef prepare it each time we visit the Southern Quadrants."

"And for milady," Jerry said as he laid a large plate down in front of her. A small bowl of the arros negre sat at the top, a larger bowl of mushrooms, beans, small noodles, and vegetables in a broth next to it, some sliced bread with a dark red jam on the surface, and a small slice of a fruit tart, with whipped cream in a swirl on top. He laid a small bowl of a mixture of olives, tomatoes, and garlic next to her plate.

"Thank you, Jerry," she said, smiling up at him.

The man laid a set of utensils and an intricately wrapped napkin next to each of their places. "Please, enjoy," he said, moving away from the table.

"The olive salad is fantastic," the Founder said, unwrapping his napkin.

Aella followed his movements, glancing over all of the food. "It all looks amazing."

He nodded, motioning for her to start eating.

She took a bite of the arrós negre, the spice hitting her tongue instantly. She smiled and began to eat.

***

Aella and the Founder had retired from the dining section to the lounge after they had eaten. Aella ran her hand over the digital bookcase, the different selections glowing as her fingers passed over them.

She listened casually as the Founder took calls and sent orders to various departments within the Complex, agreeing or disagreeing with the man and woman who appeared to be his secretaries. She took a seat at the end of the lounge in an egg-shaped chair that faced away from the others and looked out at the gray blur that was the sea and train tube.

"Aella," the Founder called to her.

Aella turned and stood, walking over to him. The secretaries stood and bowed their heads to her. "Yes, Founder?" she asked, bowing to him.

"When we arrive in the Complex, you will be required to sign the forms that will legally bind you to me as an Apprentice, and ensure that I give you all legal benefits as my child. You will meet my cabinet and generals, as well as the officials in the Security Department. I do believe that Yan sent you the initial message?"

Aella thought back to the cryptic message she had received and nodded. "She sent me the notice that I would be joining the Security Department."

He smiled and looked back down at the tablet in his hand. "I have arranged for you to stay at my home tonight after the signing of the legal work, and you will join me and my family tomorrow for the start of the New Year Festival. It is at the ball tomorrow night that we will announce the opening of the Beta Game." He turned to her and smiled. "My personal stylist will be coming in later, and he can help you decide what you want to wear."

Aella smiled as well and turned to leave.

"Wait," he said, raising a hand to her.

Aella turned to him, raising one eyebrow.

"Leave us," he said, waving his secretaries away. "And tell my stylist I will be ready for him momentarily."

Aella watched as the pair bowed and exited through the dining car door.

"Sit," the Founder said, pointing to the chair next to him. "I have been searching through your medical records, and I believe I may have found a match for your family."

Aella's hand gripped the armrest until her knuckles were white. "The Facility told me that the records had been destroyed during the war."

"Most were," he said, his mouth turning into a straight line once again. "But you have green eyes—a trait that has stayed within the mountains of [country]. The monks there have kept copies of their generations for several hundred years, in multiple formats. When coupled with your genetic background, I was able to find out that you share some family traits with [mother's name], my late brother's mother. You have ties to the royal people of the mountains in [country.]"

"I am {countrian?}" she said.

The Founder nodded. "I wanted to find out this information so that you could represent your home at the signing and at the Ball if you so wish. You can always use a U.E.C. color scheme, but using your home's symbols would elevate their status to the world."

Aella hung her head, her hand tracing a wrinkle in the silk. "What are their symbols?"

"They idolize the rising sun, as it is what melts the snows and provides life to their crops and wells. Their colors follow this philosophy, using emerald tones to portray their crops, navy to portray the water, and rich ochre to symbolize the sun. The women traditionally wear a long silk skirt that is heavily embroidered, and a jeweled, fitted top with transparent sleeves. They wear a matching veil over their hair, which they usually wear long and braided with special white flowers and light blue crystals that grow only in their region."

Aella looked up, smiling as she thought of Chloe's necklace.

The Founder was watching her, his head tilted, and a slight smile on his face. "Shall I have my stylist create you such an outfit?"

"Yes," she said.

"Good. I shall have him start on it immediately. He will need you to join him in your quarters so that he may begin the fitting process."

Aella nodded, standing. She swayed slightly as the train rounded a turn, then bowed to the Founder. "Thank you, Founder, for all you have done." She rose and started to turn away.

"I do it for all of my children," he said. "Now go; Richard tends to get fussy if he has to wait."

Aella smiled as she stepped through the door to the Founder's personal quarters and into the hallway that led to the rest of the train.