All candidates are gathered in the facility together with their respective Generals. Some of them are confused about the current situation they're in. All six are confined in different rooms and are bound to meet each other very soon. In the meeting room, all the Generals, together with Dr. Brischt and Dr. Spencer, discussed how to lay out the details of the matter without freaking them out. For all they know, most of the candidates are already agitated by the confinement without knowing the reason behind it. They've been locked up for days without a single word from the Generals. Even the doctors who extracted blood samples from them wouldn't say a thing, even when they ended up being hurt.
"Generals, if we delay this, we might all end up being hated. I won't risk proceeding with the project when the specimen's mind is confused," Dr. Brischt firmly spoke his mind.
"Nonetheless, if the mutation succeeded, in their current state of mind, they may end up killing us due to confusion and lack of acceptance. A calm mind would be beneficial to the success of this project," Dr. Spencer seconded.
"I know all your concerns, Dr. Brischt and Dr. Spencer. We must ensure that all of them accept their fates. They will eventually understand that this project will help them and our country," General Nushka said, glancing at General Buhaden.
"Do you have any suggestions on the matter, General Cloutier?" General Yang asked in a serious tone, but the latter kept silent.
After a few hours of arguments, they all came up with one plan. They would hand out all information about the project to the candidates and monitor their reactions. The files would also include their profiles as candidates and their respective Generals as well. By then, the Generals would formulate another solution to calm them down and help them accept the situation willingly—or by force. They would even resort to brainwashing if they had to. That's how desperate the Generals were to start the project.
Moments later, each candidate received an envelope with documents inside. Both Princess Sofie and Tyler already had some information about the project, so the files served as extended knowledge. As for the others, upon receiving the files, they each burst into different emotions.
Ara from India became emotional and cried out everything she had known. She felt broken, for this was not what the General promised her. But it was also stated in the documents that General Buhaden had already taken her three children under his custody and enrolled them in a well-known school in India. She felt relief in that matter, yet feared for her own well-being.
Diego punched the wall repeatedly out of anger. He clenched his bloody fist and shed some tears. For the sake of his father, he would do anything. That was his way of coping with the shock of learning why General Cloutier brought him here in the first place.
Li Ying remained silent in the corner, grasping every detail in the documents. Good for Dragon Claw—he could openly do what he wanted. As for her, she didn't even know how to react. She was shocked and afraid, yet she didn't know how to deal with her emotions. She had already been broken before. What more now that she was suddenly forced to undergo the vampire procedure? General Yang tried to hide his expression to keep anyone from noticing his affection toward Li Ying. General Cloutier already noticed it but kept silent.
Slacovich, on the other hand, began to curse. He angrily overturned tables and chairs, destroying everything he could see and grab. He was furious upon learning about the project. It was all a setup for him. He wouldn't allow anyone—even a General—to crush his life for the sake of science. He was a great pain for General Nushka. Knowing Slacovich's background as an assassin, he wouldn't back down easily.
Princess Sofie found it exciting to learn everything about the project. She was even more eager than before to start. She might be nervous about the whole process, but she was also overwhelmed by the power she was about to obtain. General Prius had no issues with his candidate. Princess Sofie would be a fine specimen with her current mindset.
Tyler Johanssen's face shed a light of hope. Everyone could see his determination to push through the procedures just by looking at his face on the monitor. His father, General Johanssen, also felt a spark of hope in his heart that everything would go well. His son's life would outlast his, and he would die happily knowing his son would be well.
The Generals left the candidates as they were to give them time to absorb everything. At some point, they also reserved the brainwashing procedure in case the others wouldn't cooperate.
"Generals, may I suggest something?" Dr. Spencer broke the silence.
"What is it, Dr. Spencer?" General Johanssen asked without even looking at her.
"I would like to suggest putting all six in the same room. They may resort to violence if we isolate their emotions too. With Princess Sofie's positive outlook and Tyler's hope for the project, they might influence the others' emotions and help them see things positively. What do you think, Generals?"
"That's something we can try. Let's give them time to hear each other's arguments about the project. This might help," General Nushka agreed immediately.
"Well then, open the doors and lure them all to the main hall," General Johanssen ordered.
All six began to move out of their rooms, following each opened door. With differing opinions on the project, no one knew what this meeting would lead to. The candidates met in the main hall where food and drinks were prepared. At first, they were silent, simply observing one another. Until Princess Sofie's social skills broke the silence.
"Hi guys, I think we're all here for the same purpose. I'm very excited to start the whole thing," Princess Sofie said in a very excited tone. Everyone felt indifferent toward her. Not even one looked at her.
"Oh come on, this isn't that bad. I personally volunteered for this project. Where are my manners? I should have kicked this off with an introduction. Silly me. By the way, I'm Sofie and I'm from the UK. I refuse to be ignored this time. And if you want me to shut up, you'll have to make me." Princess Sofie didn't like being ignored.
"I'm Tyler. Actually, General Johanssen is my father," Tyler's voice was just enough for them to hear, compared to the loud Princess Sofie.
"What a shame. Your father baited you into being a test subject. I don't mean to be rude, but that's how I see it. Slacovich—that's my name. Remember it, because I won't repeat myself," Slacovich said, clenching his fists in anger.
"Ara here. I'm from India." The typically outspoken Ara dared not draw any attention. She planned to speak less.
"Li Ying is my name, and I'm from China. I don't really know what's happening here, but I'm not ready for whatever's coming." Her face was expressionless, masking her true feelings.
"No one knows what's going to happen to us. Whether the success rate is 100% or not. I'm here for my father's sake. That's all I can focus on to ignore all this unnecessary arguing. I'm from France, and my name is Diego." Diego looked down in hopelessness.
In the viewing room, all the Generals and doctors studied everyone's way of coping with the situation. They decided to let all six reveal their true natures before executing the project. They all needed time—because once the project started, there would be no room for mistakes.
"General Prius, the Princess sure seems lively," Dr. Spencer said while writing down additional information in her files.
"She sure is. Let's give them time to mingle with each other. I'm confident she can persuade the others to accept the facts," General Prius grinned.
"We might as well give it a shot. One week. If they don't resolve it on their own, then we'll do it the hard way," General Johanssen firmly stated.
"Agreed, General," all of them said as they continued watching the candidates.
Princess Sofie's outgoing behavior made her an asset in the current situation. She started talking with the other girls, and slowly, they opened up a bit to her. Her personality helped calm them down and allowed them to be themselves. Even Slacovich started talking—though not gently—but at least he was communicating. They still had their differences, and hadn't come to the same decision yet, but there was progress. All of them communicated with one another. A few words can change everything. Even one's perspective can be shaken, one's principles can waver. It all depends on how and when those words are used—who speaks them, and how they clarify their own conviction. It lies within oneself, whether they play those words right—or end up destroying someone's view entirely.
Hopefully, all six of them will come to the same decision: to accept everything. Each one of them possesses unique capabilities. The success of the project lies within them. They will only have each other to rely on.