The Quantum Games

Chapter Five

“The opening questions startle even the most willing of contestants. Unknown risk for unknown rewards. Only the brave take that first step.” – Tournament Director.

Wednesday Afternoon

Frank, James, Tuck & Will

Tuck slammed through the football dummies as Frank and James stood on the sidelines during practice.

“I’d hate to be one of those dummies,” Frank commented, munching on his energy gummies. He noted their impact on his energy for practice, but everyone knew it was because they were fruit punch flavored.

“Frank, you’re a lineman. Don’t you have to face that every day?” James asked, referring to Tuck, a defensive lineman, while Frank was an offensive blocker for the football team.

“Yeah, but I feel like Tuck takes it easier on friends. I like him, but the biggest benefit of our friendship is not having to face… that,” Frank responded as Tuck pivoted toward the metal sled, forcefully colliding with the typically two-person training device. Perched on top, Coach Sprout was expectedly propelled back ten yards rapidly.

“There you go, Tuck!” the smaller coach yelled, catching himself from falling off the massive sled as Tuck stopped his movement. “Way to show the others how it’s done.”

“Shit,” Will said as he walked up to Frank and James on the sidelines. “Tuck seems extra pissed today. Glad I’m on defense with him.”

“Amen,” Frank spoke again, earning a questionable look from both James and Will.

“Frank, aren’t you…” Will started but was cut off by James.

“Frank has a different perspective on things.” James smiled at Will and glanced at Frank, who was still knocking back the gummies.

“Will, did I hear you’re heading to Professor Williams’ class tomorrow too?” James redirected.

“Wait, you too?” Will spoke. “Williams talked to Nadia and me about a Chemistry team. I told him no thank you, but he didn’t take no for an answer. He just kept talking like I didn’t have a choice.”

James chuckled. “Same here, but only because it was Emy who demanded it. She wrangled Trish, her dormmate, into it too.”

“I wouldn’t mess with Fury either,” Will added, eliciting a light chuckle from James.

“You know she hates that nickname, right?”

“And that makes it even better,” Will quickly answered as Frank cut in.

“You guys were talking about Professor Williams?” Frank spoke, now catching the conversation. “He reached out to me too. I’m going to be a chem champ. I told him only if we get matching uniforms.”

“And he said yes?” Will asked incredulously.

“Yeah, he said yes almost instantly. It was like that was already going to happen. I guess Chemistry contests are cool?”

“Cool enough to get all three of us to go, I guess,” James responded as Coach Sprout blew his whistle, and everyone hustled back to continue the practice.

***

Thursday Afternoon

Full Team

Curiosity and confusion swirled in Emy’s mind as Chemistry class neared its end. The past two days were particularly challenging. Practice was now the only thing pushing her to survive a mental breakdown with her ADHD flaring up.

Emy immediately shared her conversation with Coach Williams with James after practice, and he later mentioned that Will had received similar feedback from the coach. While Emy genuinely enjoyed Chemistry, she wondered if joining a Chem club was the right move at this moment.

As the bell rang, students filed out of the classroom, as Emy and James remained in their seats, exchanging nods with friends. Waiting a little longer with Professor Williams as he gathered his things, they sensed a more significant presence entering the room behind them.

“Tuck? What are you doing here?” James exclaimed, excitement lighting up his face.

“Professor Williams pulled me aside after football practice yesterday and asked me to come here. I’m part of his second-year program on Wednesdays, and he recruited me for football a few years back. I owe that man a lot,” Tuck explained.

With another nod and a smile directed at her, Emy observed Tuck settling into a seat in the back as more people trickled in—this time, it was Trish and Frank. Frank exchanged a fist bump with James while Trish quietly entered the room with headphones over her ears. They both chose to sit next to Tuck in the back.

“Is this the room for the pizza party?” Will called out as he and a reserved Nadia walked in, eliciting a small chuckle from only Frank in the back.

“Tough crowd,” Will remarked, sitting beside James while Nadia sat beside him.

As Emy observed the newcomers, she noticed that Nadia deliberately avoided all eye contact as she made her way to her seat. They might have shared an English class, but Emy was unsure. Judging by appearances, Will and Tuck seemed the most welcoming toward Nadia. Having another girl around amidst a group of football players was always a positive sign.

“Looks like we have just about everyone here. Thank you for joining…” Professor Williams began his introduction, but the door opened again, revealing Trent, a surprise addition to the group.

“Ah, Trent. Glad to see you made it. Welcome, welcome. Please sit down with the others; I was just beginning.”

Trent glided into the classroom, offering a few smirks to those present. His gaze lingered a little longer when he spotted Nadia, who remained focused on Professor Williams.

“As I was saying, thank you for joining me, everyone! It is my pleasure to assemble all my most exceptional and brilliant students in this room for the first time.” Professor Williams’s enthusiasm appeared slightly over the top. “While I’ve known many of you for years, some are mere acquaintances. But remember that familiarity is only in person. I’ve been observing each of you, and I can discern talent when I see it—or rather when I feel it.” He winked directly to Trish in the back and gave a bright smile. While maintaining a beaming smile, he glanced down at his watch as if timing something. Locking eyes with the class, he declared, “Your lives are on the cusp of a remarkable transformation. In just a few moments, we will begin training for the Quantum Games.”

Emy felt a new emotion creeping in as she listened to her teacher. Better our lives? She wondered, glancing around the room. This situation was becoming increasingly peculiar, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that something extraordinary was about to unfold.

“What the heck do you mean, Professor? I apologize, but while the chemistry games seem somewhat enjoyable, but transformative?” Will looked around the room as he voiced his question, reinforcing his bewilderment.

“And that’s precisely why you’re going to be an excellent teammate, Mr. Weiss! Questioning the norm. Voicing your thoughts and collaborating,” Professor Williams replied to Will, evading the question.

“Now, I know many of you have questions, and rest assured they will soon be answered in one way or another. Know that I will be here for you every step of the way,” Professor Williams said and then paused, raising his hands with a broad smile.

“Are you ready for glory?” Professor Williams's question hung in the air, sparking a sense of anticipation and excitement among the students.

Silence followed for an unmeasurable amount of time as Williams remained still, his smile fixed. This was a side of the Coach that none in the room had seen before; it was almost as if he was attempting to oversell something to the team. As Will was about to speak again, the room started to shake violently, and a massive shockwave overtook it, knocking over chairs and books. The air vibrated with energy, and the room seemed to distort and warp.

As the surroundings shifted, Professor Williams stood still. Emy stared at her hands as the tremors continued, witnessing her bones, blood flow, and muscles change as she clenched her fists. She felt a surge of power and energy coursing through her, and her senses sharpened. Gasps echoed behind her as patterns blurred and objects moved like dynamic entities rather than their typical static forms. Emy tried to stand up, unable to speak, but darkness and silence enveloped her, broken only by a voice cutting through the blackness.

Greetings, Earthlings.

From this moment forward, Earth has been incorporated into the recognized Cosmos, enabling the Milky Way Galaxy to become a part of the Celestial Nexus Collective, now known as the CNC. This monumental event presents an opportunity for all participants to engage in the 1,200th Quantum Games! The Quantum Games are a universal event shared with sentient beings across the cosmos. They consist of skill, strategy, and teamwork tests. Do you have the courage to face the unknown? Will you rise above the competition to become Earth’s champion? Can you achieve the legendary glory that countless predecessors have sought? Are you ready to make history and leave your mark on the Cosmos?

…The choice rests with you!

A prompt materialized in her still-dark vision:

Would you like to compete in the 1,200th Quantum Games? (Y/N)