James Dashner

James Smith Dashner (born November 26, 1972) is an American writer of speculative fiction, primarily series for children or young adults, such as the Maze Runner series and the young adult fantasy series the 13th Reality.

James Dashner in 2014

WICKED is good.

"By any reckoning, I think we'd all agree that the Trials were a success. Twenty survivors, all well qualified for our planned endeavor. The boy's murder and the "rescue" proved to be a valuable finale. We needed to shock their systems, see their responses. Honestly, I'm amazed that in the end despite everything, we were able to collect such a large population of kids that just never gave up."

"And so, we have failed. But we have also succeeded."

"I don't know how history will judge the actions of WICKED, but I state here for the record that the organization has only had one goal, and that was to preserve the human race. And in this last act, we have done just that. As we tried to instill in our subjects over and over, WICKED is good."

Quotes

The Maze Runner (2009)

WICKED Memorandum, Date 232.1.27, Time 22:45

TO: My Associates

FROM: Ava Paige, Chancellor

RE: THOUGHTS ON MAZE TRIALS, Group A

By any reckoning, I think we'd all agree that the Trials were a success. Twenty survivors, all well qualified for our planned endeavor. The boy's murder and the "rescue" proved to be a valuable finale. We needed to shock their systems, see their responses. Honestly, I'm amazed that in the end despite everything, we were able to collect such a large population of kids that just never gave up. Oddly enough, seeing them this way, thinking all is well, has been the hardest thing for me to observe. But there's no time for regret. For the good of our people, we will move forward. I know I have my own feeling as to who should be the leader, but I'll refrain from saying at this time so as not to influence any decisions. But to me, it's an obvious choice.

We are all well aware of what's at stake. I, for one, am encouraged. Remember what the girl wrote on her arm before losing her memory? The one thing she chose to clasp on to? WICKED is good. The subjects will eventually recall and understand the purpose of the hard things we have done and plan to do with them. The mission of WICKED is to serve and preserve humanity, no matter the cost. We are, indeed, "good". Please respond with your own reactions. The subjects will be allowed one full night's sleep before Stage 2 implementation. At this time, let's allow ourselves to feel hopeful. Group B's trial results were also most extraordinary. I need time to process the data, but we can touch on it in the morning. Until tomorrow, then.

• Epilogue, p. 373-374

The Scorch Trials (2010)

WICKED Memorandum, Date 232.2.13, Time 21:13

TO: My Associates

FROM: Ava Paige, Chancellor

RE: SCORCH TRIALS, Groups A and B

This is not a time to let emotions interfere with the task at hand. Yes, some events have gone in a direction we didn't foresee. Not all is ideal- things have gone wrong- but we've made tremendous progress and have collected many of the needed patterns. I feel a great amount of hope. I expect all of us to maintain our professional demeanor and remember our purpose. The lives of many people rest in the hands of so few. This is why it's an especially important time for vigilance and focus. The days to come are fundamental to this study, and I have every confidence that when we restore their memories, every one of our subjects will be ready for what we plan to ask of them. We still have the Candidates we need.

The final pieces will be found and put into place. The future of the human race outweighs all. Every death and every sacrifice are well worth the ultimate outcome. The end of this monumental effort is coming, and I believe that the process will work. That we'll have the patterns. That we'll have our blueprint. That we'll have our cure. The Psychs are deliberating even now. When they say the time is right, we'll remove the Swipe and tell our remaining subjects if they are- or are not- immune to the Flare. That's all for now.

• Epilogue, p. 359-360

The Death Cure (2011)

Final WICKED Memorandum, Date 232.4.10, Time 12:45

TO: My Associates

FROM: Ava Paige, Chancellor

RE: A new beginning

And so, we have failed. But we have also succeeded.

Our original vision didn't come to fruition; the blueprint never came together. We were unable to discover either a vaccine or a treatment for the Flare. But I anticipated this outcome and put into place an alternate solution, to save at least a portion of our race. With the help of my partners, two wisely placed Immunes, I was able to plan and implement a solution that will result in the best outcome we could've hoped for.

I know the majority of WICKED thought that we needed to get tougher, dig deeper, be more ruthless with our subjects. Begin new rounds of Trials. But what we neglected to see was right before our eyes. The Immune are the only resource left to this world. And if all has gone according to plan, we have sent the brightest, the strongest, the toughest of our subjects to a safe place, where they can begin civilization anew while the rest of the world is driven to extinction. It is my hope that over the years our organization has in some part paid the price for the unspeakable act committed against humanity by our predecessors in government. Though I am fully aware that it was an act of desperation after the sun flares, releasing the Flare virus as a means of population control was an abhorrent and irreversible crime. WICKED has worked ever since that act was committed to right that wrong, to find a cure. And though we have failed in that effort, we can at least say we've planted the seed for mankind's future.

I don't know how history will judge the actions of WICKED, but I state here for the record that the organization has only had one goal, and that was to preserve the human race. And in this last act, we have done just that.

As we tried to instill in our subjects over and over, WICKED is good.

• Epilogue, p. 323-324