4-The Morning of the First Assessment

The jungle came alive with the first light of dawn, the calls of unseen creatures echoing through the humid air. The DPW facility stirred with it—metal doors creaked open, boots scuffed against concrete floors, and the low hum of voices drifted through the hallways.

Inside the cafeteria, the first arrivals trickled in, drawn by the rich aroma of coffee and the promise of something warm to eat. The morning menu was simple: scrambled eggs, rice, black beans, fresh fruit, and toast. A practical meal, fueling bodies for the unknown.

Adán was up before his alarm, already dressed and stretching by the time the sun crept in through his window. Sleep had been restless, but his body was used to pushing through.

By the time he entered the cafeteria, he had already done a short walk around the facility, checking how many people were early risers like him.

He grabbed a plate of food, but more than eating, he was observing. The people around him, the way they moved, the way they interacted—or didn’t. Every DPW branch had its own habits, its own approach. He was trying to figure out what kind of mix they had here.

Ren entered the cafeteria with a lazy swagger, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She wasn’t a morning person, but she wasn’t about to be the last one in either.

She piled her plate high and took a seat, immediately noticing who else was around. Some looked tense, like they were expecting a drill sergeant to come in screaming orders. Others, like Adán, were scanning the room.

She smirked. He was sizing people up, too.

Franz arrived precisely when he meant to. He had taken his time getting ready, ensuring everything was in place before stepping into the cafeteria.

He ate methodically, not engaging in idle conversation. He would listen first, watch. The younger recruits had energy, but energy didn’t always mean efficiency.

Emma and Helena sat near each other but didn’t speak much. They had crossed paths in the lounge last night, a quiet understanding between them—two scientists, separate backgrounds, both here for something bigger.

Helena was more awake, eating with quiet focus. Emma, still waking up, stirred her coffee absently before finally taking a sip.

Sophia was the last to arrive of the group, though not late. She took a seat alone at first, studying the others before deciding where to settle.

There was a quiet energy in the room. Anticipation. No one knew exactly what the first assessment would be, but there was an unspoken agreement among them: this wasn’t just a simple exercise.

Something bigger was happening.

As the morning unfolded, the low murmur of conversation filled the air. Some spoke in hushed voices, testing the waters of new alliances. Others remained quiet, letting the tension settle.

—

The sun had barely crested the dense Costa Rican jungle when the participants were summoned to the training yard, where the DPW's elite joint exercise was about to begin. The air was thick with humidity, and the shadows of the towering trees stretched across the sprawling facility. Each of the six candidates had received the same invitation, and now it was time to prove their worth. The facility was quiet at dawn, save for the distant hum of tropical insects and birds, their calls echoing across the grounds.

At the heart of the training yard was a large open-air complex, with separate stations set up for the three key assessment areas: physical condition, thought process, and problem-solving. The staff members from various branches stood off to the side, watching the participants with a mixture of scrutiny and anticipation. This was their chance to evaluate who had the necessary skills and temperament to be part of the new elite team that would handle the most complex and dangerous dinosaur recovery operations.

Each individual would be tested separately, the assessments timed and closely observed. There would be no room for mistakes or second chances. The competition wasn’t just about physical strength or mental acumen; it was about finding the most well-rounded, adaptable, and effective individuals to work in extreme situations where the stakes were high, and the pressure was intense.

—

Physical Condition Assessment

The first challenge began promptly as the candidates stood in a line at the starting point of a massive obstacle course that snaked across the jungle-like terrain. The course was designed to test stamina, agility, and the ability to move swiftly through difficult and unpredictable environments. The obstacles varied from rope climbs to mud pits, wall scaling, and tunnel crawls, replicating the harsh, varied conditions they might face when recovering dinosaurs in remote locations.

Adán was the first to step up. He stretched his legs with ease, his muscular frame ready to spring into action. His dark eyes scanned the course, noting the best possible routes. Adán had always thrived in physical environments like this, and the pressure only made him more focused. As the starting buzzer blared, he shot forward, his powerful legs propelling him across the first hurdle with ease. The large tires that lay ahead were nothing more than a minor inconvenience for him, and he breezed through them.

Adán didn’t take a moment to look around, his focus locked ahead. The rope climb came next, and he didn’t hesitate. He gripped the rope and ascended with a fluidity that made it appear as if he was gliding. His breath steady, his movements were efficient, a contrast to the others who were still tackling the first few obstacles.

Ren was second, and her competitive nature was immediately apparent. She didn’t waste time looking around either. She shot forward, her lean frame twisting through the tires with surprising speed. Unlike Adán, her approach was a little more erratic—her scrappy movements driven by determination and her drive to be the best. However, she wasn't as naturally agile as some of the others, and when she reached the rope climb, she faced her first real challenge. Her hands gripped the rough hemp, but the sweat already dripping from her palms slowed her a fraction. She gritted her teeth and forced herself upward, each movement tight and controlled. She was competitive, sure, but she wasn't afraid to admit when something was difficult.

Adán had already scaled the rope and was charging toward the final section—the wall scaling. With a deep breath, Ren followed suit, using her momentum to leap onto the wall, her hands finding footholds. It wasn’t smooth, but she made it. She kept pushing forward, even when she felt the strain in her muscles. She didn’t have the same smooth technique as Adán, but her refusal to quit gave her a certain tenacity that the observers took note of.

Meanwhile, Franz, being older, didn’t take the same approach as the younger, more spry agents. He was more measured, carefully pacing himself as he surveyed the course from a distance. His focus was on efficiency rather than speed. Where others had lunged ahead with sheer momentum, Franz took calculated steps. His legs may not have been as fast as Adán's, but his strong, steady arms hauled him up the rope with ease. When it came to scaling the wall, Franz didn’t even rush. He was deliberate, his technique honed by years of experience in high-pressure situations. As he reached the final stretch, the instructors noted his consistency and calm under pressure.

Sophia approached the obstacle course with an air of quiet determination. She wasn’t as fast as Adán, nor as scrappy as Ren, but she moved at a steady pace, picking her moments. She faced the rope climb without hesitation, using her lower body strength to propel herself upward. Though it took her longer, her approach was calculated—she wasn’t throwing herself into the course blindly. She was thinking several moves ahead. As she neared the final wall, Sophia’s breathing was controlled, and she approached the challenge as if it were a puzzle to be solved, not a race. Her measured pace didn’t get her first place, but it did give her a solid finish.

Helena, the young Brazilian scientist, was last to start the physical course. She had always kept in shape, but she was more accustomed to quiet labs than physical exertion. However, Helena’s quiet resolve shone through. She paced herself carefully, handling each obstacle with thoughtful precision. When she reached the wall, she used a mix of strength and problem-solving skills to find the most efficient way over it. Her performance wasn’t about speed—it was about smart strategy and clear thinking under pressure.

Emma, who had been watching silently, stepped forward as the last participant. She was smaller in stature compared to the others, but there was an air of quiet confidence around her. Emma’s movements were fluid, strategic, and calculated. She didn’t rush—she analyzed each obstacle, choosing the best route with a deliberate calmness. As she approached the rope climb, Emma took a deep breath and tested the tension of the rope before gripping it firmly. Unlike Ren, she didn’t use her full body at once. Instead, she relied on a methodical rhythm, pulling herself up steadily. When she reached the wall, Emma didn't attempt a wild leap. Instead, she paused, sizing up her surroundings, before making a precise move that brought her to the top. Her efficiency and steady approach stood in stark contrast to the more frantic energy of some of the others.

As the physical assessment came to a close, each participant’s time was recorded, but the instructors were keenly observing how each individual had handled the pressure. Some, like Adán, were natural athletes who finished quickly, while others, like Emma, showed the ability to stay calm and think their way through the course. It was clear that the physical tests had revealed a lot about their strengths and weaknesses, but the next round would be where the real challenge lay.

—

Thought Process Analysis

With the physical assessment complete, the group moved to the next phase—the Thought Process Analysis. They were each led to individual rooms where they were given scenario-based problems. Each problem was timed, and their ability to think under pressure would be evaluated. There was no right or wrong answer. The goal was to see how each person approached complex problems and handled unpredictable situations.

Adán was up first. The scenario was simple, yet layered in complexity: A Velociraptor had breached containment on a remote island, and it was on the move. The team needed to track it, calm it, and recapture it. How would you approach the situation, and what would be your first steps?

Adán leaned forward, his mind instantly working through the scenario. He jotted down a quick outline, his handwriting almost illegible. His first move was clear—contain the area, setting up a perimeter to keep the raptor from escaping the zone. He quickly listed several contingency plans in case the raptor became aggressive. His responses were driven by instinct, quick and decisive, but his approach showed a lack of deep planning. His mind raced through each possible outcome, each decision made with a gut feeling more than any kind of logical strategy.

Ren was next, and she immediately latched onto the dangerous aspect of the scenario. Her response was fast and bold: she would immediately try to outsmart the raptor by using sound to lure it into a trap. Ren’s approach was high-risk, but her confidence shone through. She spent no time second-guessing herself, but her boldness could be both an asset and a liability in the field.

Franz took a methodical approach, much slower than the others. He carefully analyzed the scenario, listing strategies based on resources at hand. He focused on containment and safe communication, carefully mapping out where his team would move and the safest positions. Unlike Adán or Ren, Franz’s solution was based on cold logic, taking into account every possible danger.

Sophia’s approach was more calculated. She chose to analyze the raptor’s behavior before jumping into action, drawing on her knowledge of the species. She knew the key was not to approach the animal too aggressively. She focused more on setting a plan in motion and then adjusting based on the animal’s reactions.

Helena’s solution was more scientific and risk-averse. She looked at the raptor’s biological needs and planned accordingly, suggesting non-violent methods of containment, such as tranquilizers or using the terrain to her advantage. Her analysis wasn’t the most thrilling, but it was rooted in caution and pragmatism.

Emma, now deep in thought, considered the scenario through a more tactical lens. She didn’t rush into making a decision but took time to assess the environment. Her approach was to first gather intel—she would track the raptor’s movements and try to anticipate its next steps. Rather than focusing solely on a direct confrontation, Emma aimed to isolate the raptor by closing off potential escape routes. Her plan was calm, logical, and built on patience rather than brute force.

—

Problem-Solving Assessment

Finally, the candidates were faced with the Problem-Solving Assessment, which was designed to test their ability to work with limited resources in a high-pressure, real-world situation. Each individual was given a simulated containment breach: a dinosaur had escaped its pen and was causing chaos in a nearby facility. They were each given a few tools—tracking devices, field equipment, and basic communication gear—but had to come up with a strategy to safely recapture the animal.

The clock was ticking.

Adán’s approach was bold and swift, charging forward with the tracking device and creating a perimeter around the area. He used the communication equipment to rally a team of invisible responders, improvising as he went. Adán’s strategy relied heavily on taking control and trusting his instincts.

Ren tackled the problem with a combination of force and speed, suggesting they use available technology to contain the creature while coordinating a trap. Her decision-making was more rapid than Adán’s, and she pushed hard for immediate action, leaving little room for error.

Franz, of course, took the deliberate approach. He ensured everything was in place before acting, avoiding hasty decisions. Every move was calculated, and every possible risk was accounted for before making his move.

Sophia’s solution was based on creative thinking—she used her knowledge of dinosaur behavior and combined it with available technology, formulating a trap that used the creature’s instincts to bring it into a safe area.

Helena’s response to the Problem-Solving Assessment was deeply rooted in her scientific background and understanding of dinosaur behavior. While others might have been eager to act quickly, Helena took a more methodical and calm approach, using her knowledge of animal psychology, specifically focusing on the stress responses of dinosaurs in captivity.

Emma, using her calm but sharp mind, focused on creating a plan that maximized the resources at hand. She suggested using the environment to her advantage, utilizing obstacles and natural barriers to guide the dinosaur into a confined area. She knew she couldn’t rely on brute force, so her strategy focused on trapping the creature without putting anyone at unnecessary risk.

Each of the candidates had approached the problem in their own way, revealing much about their skills and thought processes under pressure. Emma’s steady, strategic mindset made her stand out for her ability to work under stress without losing focus.

—