Chris reminisced, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
Chris: "Back when Alex and I were little kids, all I remember is how the five of us stuck together as brothers, even when Father gave us individual instructions."
Leonard, Sam, and Kevin rushed together toward the greenhouse, their footsteps echoing through the corridor.
Chris: "They're doing the exact same thing."
Zeus nodded, a warm smile spreading across his face.
Zeus: "Yeah. To be a top-class scientist, you need two basic things: to know your facts like the back of your palm and to make compromises to work alongside others."
Leonard, Sam, and Kevin entered the greenhouse, surrounded by lush greenery and the sweet scent of blooming flowers.
Leonard: "The others really split up!"
Sam: "That's their choice, we have to stick together if we want to pass."
Seven minutes passed, and the air inside the greenhouse grew thick with tension.
Ash observed from the monitor room.
Ash: "I wonder...those three working together - one has air abilities, one has water abilities, and the other, lightning...they're so incompatible. I wonder how this'll turn out."
Nine minutes passed, and the sound of rustling leaves filled the greenhouse.
Sam led the way.
Sam: "We're in!"
Kevin panted, his chest heaving.
Kevin: "Guys, you know I'm a sprinter, right?! I can't seem to take much more of this."
Sam urged.
Sam: "Keep pushing!"
Leonard suggested.
Leonard: "Sam, don't you think we should rest for a bit?! You and I are the only ones with stamina to keep going!"
Sam pressed on.
Sam: "We have to keep going!"
Twelve minutes passed, and the sun beat down on the greenhouse.
Elizabeth watched anxiously from the monitor room.
Elizabeth: "{Come on, you guys.} (while she clenched her hands together)"
Sam suddenly stopped.
Sam: "Stop!"
Leonard: "What?! Now you wanna take a break?"
Sam: "Shut up and listen, alright."
Zeus smiled.
Zeus: "Ah."
Chris nodded.
Chris: "I guess there was a bright one on the team."
Kevin asked.
Kevin: "Okay, so what is it?"
Sam explained.
Sam: "We're in the greenhouse, surrounded by trees and agriculture. When you hear "greenhouse," what comes to mind?"
Leonard thought.
Leonard: "Highly flammable substances."
Sam confirmed.
Sam: "Exactly!"
Kevin connected the dots.
Kevin: "Plastics are polymers...materials that can change molecular form."
Sam revealed his plan.
Sam: "If my assumptions are correct, and too many people make it out, we fail. But if few people make it out, say three, there's a high chance we pass."
Leonard grasped.
Leonard: "So our objective is..."
Sam: "We immobilize everyone."
Sixteen minutes passed.
Sam gathered branches.
Sam: "Come on, we need to hurry!"
Kevin created a hole.
Kevin: "Well, I mean, I can try."
Sam combined the branches and plastic bottles.
Sam: "Leonard, how well can you control your power?"
Leonard focused.
Leonard: "Okay...remember what Liz told you...use your inner monologues to focus your energy."
Lightning crackled.
Leonard: "{THUNDERJOLT!}"
Smoke billowed.
Candidate 1: "What the hell is that?"
Sticky substances formed.
Sam: "Let's go!"
The trio escaped.
Zeus announced.
Zeus: "Candidates, 22 minutes have passed. If you don't exit soon, you'll fail."
Candidates panicked.
Candidate 3: "Screw this; I'm gonna bolt!"
Twelve candidates were immobilized.
Elizabeth cheered.
Elizabeth: "Whoaaaaaaaaa!"
Chris chuckled.
Chris: "You sneaky devil."
Zeus laughed.
Zeus: "Hehehehe."
Ash looked stunned.
Ash: "The...they actually made it...together."
Nick smiled.
Nick: "Even if your skills are incompatible, science can accomplish something together."
Sam, Kevin, and Leonard laughed together.
Sam: "Alright, finally..."
Kevin pointed.
Kevin: "Guys, look over there."
Leonard saw.
Leonard: "Mr. Barnes?"
Frederick welcomed.
Frederick: "Welcome."
To be continued...