Chapter 36 - Questions From the Judges
The official judging panel arrived precisely at two o'clock.
Five judges.
Each specializing in a different engineering discipline.
Professor Linda Chen from the university chaired the evaluation.
She greeted every team exactly the same way.
"Show us the problem you wanted to solve."
Alex took a slow breath.
He didn't begin by describing sensors or algorithms.
Instead, he described uneven sidewalks.
Loose gravel.
Unexpected slopes.
Everyday situations many wheelchair users encountered without warning.
Only after establishing the problem did he explain the engineering.
The judges listened carefully.
One interrupted.
"What happens if the prediction algorithm fails?"
Alex answered honestly.
"It has failed."
The judge looked surprised.
"Many times."
Emma displayed photographs from earlier prototypes.
Broken components.
Unstable tests.
Design revisions.
Each failure documented.
Professor Chen smiled.
"So this wasn't your first solution."
Alex laughed.
"I hope it isn't my last either."
Another judge examined the mechanical assembly closely.
"Why choose this configuration instead of a simpler stabilizer?"
Alex looked toward Emma.
"Because she convinced me the simple version couldn't grow."
Emma grinned.
"I suggested it."
"He redesigned it."
The judges appreciated how naturally credit moved between teammates.
No one tried to claim individual brilliance.
Every improvement had been collaborative.
After forty minutes, the panel thanked them and moved to the next exhibit.
Only then did everyone finally exhale.
Coach Daniels smiled.
"No matter the results..."
Emma interrupted.
"We know."
"We built something we're proud of."
Alex nodded.
"That's enough."
Yet none of them noticed a competition volunteer quietly placing an envelope beneath Booth 27.
The envelope contained no return address.
Only six handwritten words.
May you like
Be careful who you trust tonight.
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