5

"Follow me please, there are a few other people who'd like to meet you." Volks announces walking ahead of the group, he turns around confused when the group stopped moving in sync when he stopped moving. It's almost robotic like when they do that. Team Jones specifically. Team Joey is right behind them.

He gestures for them to enter ahead of him.

Ryan leads the way, they are taken to a small hall with more reporters and a stage with chairs for each of them.

An interview in front of the country was listed as part of the reward for being in first place, they also mentioned a recording of your journey through out the Beta trials and episodes will air twice a week, but they did not say when they will start recording, that is something Angel wants to know about.

They sit on stage feeling awkward in front of the cameras.

Angel wears her shades and tints the glasses so that she can't see the people, she smiles relaxing a little more in her seat.

"Devil Mask, we hear you have been scouted by the Blue Shields American Team, how do you feel about that?"

Angel takes her shades off and cocks a brow, "What? BSA?"

"Yes." The reporter replies with a bright smile on her face absolutely excited for her. BSA is the number one Alpha ranked Space traveling company. Great salary, and has the least number of mortality rates compared to other companies.

She scratches the top of her head, "Is this offer for me or the team?"

The reporter looks around for the BSA sponsors to answer the question.

Mr Volks looks at Night, the female head of the Beta trial, they had a bet over whether or not Angel will turn down the offer made by BSA, the top Alpha program team in the whole world.

Night said she would say no, and he disagreed, there has never been any one who turned them down, and she sure as hell is in no position to say no to the cheque that comes with joining them as an engineer.

Joining a team in the Alpha Program means she will automatically become an Alpha ranked Space Traveller code named Rangers who are free to travel to any planet and are not bound to Beta rules and restrictions.

She can also form her own Rangers team right away without having to go through the Beta trials to join a team.

A BSA sponsor clarifies that the offer is only for Angel.

"No thanks." Angel casually states checking her watch for the time.

Everyone's jaws drop, including all her teammates except for Ranger and Lily who look like it's business as usual in their daily lives in the adventures of the twisted mind that is Angel Madonsela.

"Why?!" The sponsor asks absolutely grieved by Angel's answer like she had something to gain from it – she didn't.

Angel takes out the lighter in her pocket with a joint caught between her lips, "Because, if I join BSA I join the American team. I came here to win this for South Africa. I don't know about you, but being known as the first South African Engineer in the Alpha program sounds more legendary than being just another statistic in the BSA books."

She lights her joint and takes a pull passing it on to Ranger who smoothly receives it relaxing in her seat, "Uhh, before we go on, can we please just have a moment of silence for the three lost members of team Joey." Angel looks around already expecting people to get themselves in order she was not suggesting anything she was making a demand, "Their sacrifice wasn't in vain, because of them a lot of people stand a chance of making it out of there alive. The number of potential casualties may as well have been cut by 80%" Her eyes wonder the room looking around for whoever is in charge.

Night smirks at Volks, "She was raised in an environment of constantly having to come up with strategies and when it comes to winning a war, we can put a little more faith in this team." She says to Volks before ordering him to acknowledge Angel's request.

Angel smirks watching Lily cover her mouth and nose so her parents don't see her smoking weed on tv.

Ranger laughs when she coughs.

Joey stands in front of the people and says a few words about her three fallen teammates and everyone says a short prayer.

"Thank you." Angel sits down and passes the joint to Six, he laughs when Lily takes her chair to sit on the other side.

Xavier crosses his arms glaring at Angel and she glares back.

"Can someone tell us what's going to happen now?" Ryan quickly asks before Angel and Xavier start their bickering.

"Phase two of the trials will happen at the Royal Teams Festival Rookie Camp, where the best performing Alpha Teams in the last 2 years will be awarded. All participating rookies will get the opportunity to be scouted. South Africa's, Devil Mask, has been nominated for the Beta Trial rookie of the year award, this means that team Jones will be receiving extra screen time on the RTF 3040 documentary. The time has not yet been announced for the festival, you will find out about it a day before, until then, prepare."

Angel stays cool on the outside, but inside she's already feeling watched and the anxiety is making her lose her mind.

The others finally get screen time and exclusive interview offers. All members of Team Joey say yes.

"Sorry, but team Jones won't be taking any interviews outside of here, we have things to do." Xavier says glaring at his teammates. "We should get going." He states.

Angel is the first one to stand up ready to go.

They are flown to the ground landing in the stadium packed with people in the stands, outside there are still more hordes of people gathered around. Chanting as a crowd.

"Rookie of the year! Rookie of the year! Rookie of the year! Rookie of the year! …"

Night pats Angel on the back, "Being humble doesn't mean not enjoying your 15 seconds of fame." The doors of the shuttle open and the cheers catch everyone inside the shuttle by surprise, "You will never be disappointed by this country when it comes to hyping their team up, give them something to be hype about, it's your time." Night nudges the team forward.

Ryan leads the way, Ranger follows next to him.

The teams leave the ship and the crowd goes wild.

Xavier raises a fist and the crowd gets even louder, inhumanely loud, hyped, and fired up.

Angel hides her face behind Ryan, "Don't move."

Ryan laughs standing still taking off his jacket covering Angel's face as they walk towards the cars.