The transport containing Drake, Ava and their escort trundled along through another tunnel, Duke telling them that it was another connecting path.

The little sight seeing trip was more or less over, and the Dome they were entering now contained the hospital where Ava would receive the treatment promised. So far the guards, Gwen, Sara, Ash and Cen hadn’t said much. The only one talking was Duke who seemed more than happy to fill the void of silence with his thoughts. A couple of times Drake had found him eyeing up Ava, but the older man was choosing his moments well, hinting that this certainly wasn’t the first time. How many others had been in Drakes position, how many were yet to find themselves in the back of this truck, armed guards around them. He remembered that Howard was looking for other recruits still when they parted.

Shaking all this from his mind, Drake looked out the window as the tunnel gave way to the inside of another Dome, this one markedly different from the last as buildings rose up against lush greenery, trees growing around skyscrapers. Again though, Drake looked at the people who were going from place to place, no ones eyes matched his, a dazzling away of colours, but then, none matching those who shared that ride with him. He even noticed a hint on Gwen’s eyes, and she matched his. Just as subtle as Duke looking at Ava, Gwen wasn’t amused with Drakes interest.

“Can I help you? Our eyes are the same.” She said coldly.

“Last I checked mine didn’t glow towards their centre. I think I’m allowed to be curious...” Drake then checked to see if his sister was paying attention but she was too busy dreaming “After all I’m in the same position as you were.. Come on isn’t that the only reason this pervert brought you on this trip?”

“Then you’ll learn quickly... You’ve signed up for some serious shit-”

“Airman Haskins! Be careful what you say, you don’t want to be scaring him now...” Duke said sharply, shutting Gwen up.

“I’m ready for what you can throw at me, looking around here shows that I’m not going to be treated like equals with the rest of you.. “ Drake said, shaking off both what Gwen and Duke came out with.

“Your brave now boy, but let’s see what your like when your sister is out of the way.” Duke’s voice was quiet and cold, leading Drake to question if it was meant to be taken as a threat, before he could react, Duke started again. “You got a lot of anger in you boy, but we’re going to need that to be directed at the proper place from now on. You belong to us just the same ad everyone else in this truck” If Ava hadn’t been besides him, lost in daydreams, Drake would have launched himself at perverted, bigot sat opposite. He figured that he could do a bit of damage before the others pulled him off, and death did seem worth it. With his sister near though, he was bound to just scowl, keeping his retribution imaginary for now.

Not long after the dense buildings cleared for more artificial trees, their bark lined with thin strips of what appeared to be circuitry.

“We are on the drive way to Sacred Vessel hospital, Ava this will be your new home for a little while...and this is where your dream will come true.” Duke said, capturing the young teenagers attention, reminding her of his promise of a meeting with her idol. Her excitement peaked as she pressed herself up against the window, wanting the best look possible at the hospital.

The hospital looked state of the art just like the rest of the buildings they had seen so far. The closer they got, the more cracks they saw in the building, showing its age. The hospital itself was a large imposing building of sterile white. There was no other colours to break it up, meaning the building stood out. The windows were tinted, allowing no sneak peaks at the inside, which gave Drake cause for concern.

“We’re not just leaving her at the front doors are we?” He asked.

“It’s a hospital, would it be dangerous?” Ava responded, pulling her face away. “It should be a place of safety.” This belief was instilled in her from the makeshift hospitals that were rare outside the Domes. These were set up by people who truly wanted to help others, using what ever materials they could, and sometimes, though even rarer then the hospitals themselves, doctors from inside the Domes came out to help. It was such a doctor that tended to Drake and Ava’s parents when they died, giving them the best care they could have asked for, in a room with a hold in the tarpaulin. The doctor had been sympathetic, and didn’t show them any less compassion because of the silver in their eyes. If this hospital had doctors like her then it would be a plus.

“Why don’t you both check it out for your self. Ash, Gwen, I would like you both to accompany them please then return Drake back here. He doesn’t want to be late for his induction. Oh and Gwen, I feel like I don’t need to repeat myself but, again, don’t be saying anything to the lad that would make him want to go back on the deal. I don’t think we want a repeat of last time.” Duke said as the truck came to a stop, the doors opening seamlessly. “Ava, I wish you a speedy recovery, and I’ll arrange that special visit for you as soon as I’m back in my office. Good bye my dear.”

“Thank you for the chance! Melody’s songs have helped to keep me going, I love her voice” Ava replied, still grateful to for the meeting. Never once she did think that she would cross paths with her idol, seeing her live on stage was the most she would dream.

Gwen and Ash exited the truck, saying nothing as they did. Drake had somewhat of a taste for what Gwen Haskins was like, but Ash was quiet and either looked like completely focused, or completely bored. He anticipated that he wouldn’t change that now, or that Gwen would be as chatty as she had been. Drake let Ava out first, with Gwen stepping forward to help her out safely. Though an attempt of gratitude was made, no response was given. The two guards marched forward with the siblings in tow into the hospital, the main doors sliding open to grant them access to medicinal nirvana.

The lobby was large, white with odd bits of colour here and there from the chairs the staff sat in as they did their jobs. The receptionist looked like her friendly face had been painted on, and the warmth in her voice could melt it if she wasn’t careful.

“Hello, I’ve been told we are expecting an Ava Vern?” She said, looking at the only person it could have possibly been. Ava, though now the reality had hit her and lost a lot of nerve, nodded, stepping forward. In all her life she had never been away from her family, especially in the wake of her parents death and the onset of her battle with the disease. She knew that sooner then she would like, her brother would be gone, and she didn’t give him any hint but she knew that he had signed up to something grave in order to get her here. She wanted to protest, but didn’t have the strength. Duke’s offer had given her some extra strength, something to look forward to since her reunion with her brother was an unknown factor. She didn’t want to think about it, but she knew that there was a chance that this could be their last time together.

“Drake...I don’t....I don’t want you to do this if it’s going to cause you problems...” She said, her voice coming out as a whisper because of how tense she was.

“Don’t worry about me, you just worry about getting better then panicking over what song you’re going to tell Melody Moon is your favourite. That’s what I want you to think of while you’re in here. No doubt they’ll have radio’s or something you can listen to, not that you need to hear more of her songs.” Drake didn’t want him to be the reason she got worse and died. Hell if he could, he would make her forget him so she could heal in peace. He looked over to the guards to see if they were showing any reactions but Gwen was purposely looking the other way while Ash just stared ahead, his eyes half open.

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“Come this way Miss Vern, allow me to show you to your room and give your brother the peace of mind that he will need to leave you in our care.” The receptionist’s movements were robotic, well practised. She had done this thousands of times before it seemed. She was as cold as the atmosphere the rooms radiated.

They all followed her, down corridors, taking lefts, then a right, going up stairs and ignoring the option of taking a lift. The internal layout of the hospital was maddening, who ever came up with it wanting to make a statement it seemed, but the message got lost in the maze of paths. All the while the receptionist told the group mindless stats about the hospital, all the staff that worked there, the amount of patients they often had at any one time. Every one of them was forgettable, then there was a change in the things she said and the way she said them.

“Now as for your treatment, we’ll start tonight with an injection into your sternum, this is the foundation of the cure. Tomorrow we’ll do it again at a site opposite and then the day after, a final one in the base of your spine. During this, it’s normal for you to feel your body going numb a little bit.” Her voice turned kinder, a bit more understanding that what she was saying wasn’t going to be all good news or welcoming.

“Will the needles hurt?” Ava asked, an innocent question.

“Oh of course they will hurt, the needles themselves are quite long” The receptionist stretched her thumb from her finger to show the length, proving that an innocent question demands a truthful answer. “From the second injection on though, you’ll feel less so that’s a plus.” Ava wouldn’t see it that way mind, not many would.

“And after that? How long are you going to be treating her here for?” Drake asked, wanting to see how much of a plan they had in store.

“Your sister has a complex disease, as I’m sure you well aware. These three injections lead into a full thirty step plan that will completely cure her. I’m also sure you are well away of the slogan ‘No pain, no gain’? That applies here.”

“Can you look me in the eyes and tell me to my face that she is going to be safe here and be cured at the end of all this?” Drake said stepping in front of the receptionist, drawing no attention from the guards.

“Your sister will be in the most capable hands we have. While under our watch, she will not come under harm and she will be fully healed. No doubt you’ll be coming in to see her won’t you? You can see the transformation in her yourself.” Though the words she said, sounded comforting, that’s all they were, words. However, Drake also knew that this was the best and only shot. The receptionist sensed this and decided to seal it, just as they reached door 415, with Ava’s name flickering on the electronic display, a little star next to it. “Ava will be getting the best treatment someone like yourself would never have been able to offer her before...You have done all you can.”

The door opened as the receptionist slide a key card through the lock. The room was spacious with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the gardens. There was a few chairs and a bed against the wall. There was storage space as well and an on-suite bathroom. Ava rushed in to get a look at her new home.

“We’ll stay out here...” Gwen said, with Ash nodding, and the pair took up position outside the doors. Drake followed Ava in and was in awe of the room, neither of them had stayed in anything like this in all their lives. They had a home once, but the luxury contained here outshone all what gleamed in their memories. The smell in the room was different then the other floors, which stank of bleach and other cleaning products, this one was of flowers, a scent that they had only fleeting meetings with. Drake walked around slowly, his footsteps echoing around which brought with it a new thought, the lack of noise.

“Why is it so quiet?” He asked, louder then what he originally wanted.

“Your sister will be the only person on this floor, in fact this room is the only one with a bed in it on this floor. There’s a private treatment room, several supply cupboards, and a media room where she can see how the people in the Domes keep entertained...In fact we have several Melody Moon concerts for her to watch endlessly if she wishes.” The receptionist knew what buttons to press, just as Duke had done before. Ava turned at the mention of the name, but did it too quickly, losing her balance. It was becoming clear that she needed some rest, as her illness started to rear it’s head. Helping his sister into the bed, Drake knew that the time was coming where he would have to say goodbye, even though it wasn’t the final time, he felt the pain in his chest. Ava noticed and held his hand.

“It’s okay Drake...” She smiled best she could, her body getting ready for the rest she craved. “You can come and see me when you get a break...”

“I...” Drake stuttered. He had words he wanted to say but couldn’t get them out. He calmed himself and tried again but managed only a strange sound. Ava laughed at her brother’s attempt to be sentimental.

“You don’t need to say anything Drake...You wouldn’t have done all of this if you didn’t care about me. You’ve been fighting for me ever since I can remember...You made this deal just to get me here. I know how you feel and it’s the same as I do....” Her grip lessened, and Drake knew that she would soon be asleep. Knowing that his sister had said his words better then he could ever do, he sighed.

“You’re right, like you always are. Rest up okay? First chance I get, I’ll come back and see you. If you meet Melody Moon before then, you’ll have to tell me all about her.” Drake was a little playful there, even if he did hate buying into the promise that Duke made her.

“Of course! I’m going to talk your ears off! Get going, and be okay...I’ll be here waiting for you” Ava let go of Drakes hand and shuffled herself, getting ready for sleep. Drake leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.

“Good bye Ava, I’ll be back...” Drake said, as the receptionist led him to door and out.

“The doctor will be round once she wakes up to talk her through what happens next. Till then I suggest we let her rest.” The receptionist then took her leave, knowing that Drake would end following the guards who had orders to fulfil.

“Your sister will be fine...” Gwen said, though it wasn’t clear if she was saying it to be comforting or sarcastic. Ash continued his silence, though this time, the look on his face spoke that this was beneath him.

“Let’s just go, I know you don’t want to be here.” Drake said, setting off down the corridor, though his feet didn’t want to follow his orders, each footstep behind very heavy.

“Very true...” Ash said, breaking his quiet role.

“Oh you can speak then.” Drake replied, though Ash ignored him.

“You’re not going to get him to say anything else, he uses his words how and when he chooses.” Gwen explained, not that Drake actually cared, he was already making his mind up about these people, and how far he could trust them.

Duke was waiting for them as they left the hospital, seemingly glad that Ava was no more among their number.

“Now that you’re sister is where she belongs, it’s time to take you to where you belong silver boy....” He said with a deeply unpleasing grin. “Let’s go, we don’t want you to be late for your own induction now...” With no other choice, Drake got back into the truck, ready to find out what exactly they had in store for him.

Melody Moon had found some time to herself, though it wasn’t going to be very brief. Her handler was indisposed for a moment, as he was trying out some new talent, an act she wished she had the power to stop. The guards that stood at her door though, would never let her get that far. To provide a useless act of resistance though, she listened to some more Rebel Broadcasts, imagining the ways she would help bring this order down.

“To all those who listen and think they are powerless...Stop it, stop it right now. You’re only powerless because that’s what they’ve beaten into you. They don’t want you to realise you’re strong and that if you united yourselves, you can make a difference. You don’t have to fight in order to help bring about change. Leave the fighting to those who are ready for the sacrifices. Standing together, we can end this cruel regime, we can start making this a world for us all to live in.” The broadcast cut out again there, no doubt the wavelength being blocked again, as was the usual game of cat and mouse between the broadcasters, and the government. Melody looked out the window, while waiting for it to resume. What they had said was beautiful and poignant, but it was just words. She couldn’t find the strength they spoke about, and she knew no one who she could stand with, she was alone.