Lee's mother had died over a decade ago, though it seemed like just yesterday. Actually, Lee had just spoken to his dead mother yesterday, from her cryogenic stasis like coffin. Well, actually, he spoke to the computer program, which had her memories and voice down pat. God, his life was so confusing. Add in the fact that he was in love with two high spirited women, who at the moment, both wanted to kill each other and him, and his crazy life was complete. Lee tried to listen to the speech Father Jericho was giving on the podium near Lee, but Lee's mind was on anything but on his upcoming mapping, which would allow him to return to his current health and age anytime he needed to rejuvenate himself for the many missions he expected to go on as the first ever Ridge Runner to graduate from the Ridge Runner Academy of Complex City. But Lee didn't pay attention to any of Father Jericho's flowery words. He didn't feel special or privileged. He just felt like a failure. He had fallen in love with two very different type of women and neither one appreciated Lee falling in love with the other, especially when he said he couldn't make up his mind on which one he was going to marry. Both Melanie and Sarah were present at the ceremony, sitting as far apart as they could, in the first row of guests who had come to see Lee's mapping. The mapping room only had enough room for about one hundred people, although several thousand had signed up to witness the first mapping since the Complex had opened and let well over thirty thousand people in to become Com City citizens. Lee was supposed to pick out the lucky one hundred people allowed to view this historic event, but Lee wasn't up to it, so he let his mother pick the lucky guests herself. This was supposed to be Lee's happiest day, but his mind was filled with fear, doubt and worry and not the joy he should have been feeling. As Lee looked over at Melanie and Sarah, all he saw was hate and anger in their eyes. Why did Mom invite both of them? But Mom hadn't, Lee would have been asking her why she hadn't? Project Ridge Runner was designed to find the best of the best. To be a Ridge Runner meant that you were the strongest, fastest and smartest person available. A Ridge Runner had to be tough, quick on their feet physically and mentally. A Ridge Runner had to be able to lead or follow. They had to be able to fill in in as a general or private, depending on the circumstances. They were assassins or diplomats, as needed. And as times changes, this wasn't even enough. The new, modern Ruidge Runners had to be Seer and a Seer was a Ridge Runner. Even though not every Seer was qualified to be a Ridge Runner, or even chose to do be one. By 2585, nine out of ten of the old Ridge Runners were retired or transferred to the Troopers. But the ones who remained, about five thousand in all, were the new, true Ridge Runners. Some people still called them mutants, but most accepted them for what they could contribute to the Alliance and its safety.