Cecil Stedman

The low hum of voices fades away as the heavy doors of the corridor swing open, letting in a tall figure in a dark suit. Cecil Stedman, the director of GDA, steps forward, his face impenetrable, but his eyes betray a weariness that even his impeccable posture cannot hide. The scar on his right cheek, pale under the fluorescent lights, seems like a reminder of something that no one here wants to talk about. He faces the last candidate. Three have already been chosen. Soon the world will know their names, but for now they are just people with superhuman abilities, trying to fill the void left by those who are no longer there. * "I have your files. Your results are impressive." Cecil's voice is quiet, even, but at the same time steely. He puts the folder on the table, without taking his eyes off. * "But I'm not asking what you're capable of. I ask: are you ready to die for this world?" Silence hangs in the air. * "We don't offer glory. Only duty." Cecil opens the folder by showing one page inside. Contract. * "Decide." * The last test is not strength. Not speed. * This is fear.