Michael could tell almost instantly the construction work was solid. The tower was nearly finished. He looked around, his mind placing the mirrors in the places outlined in the plans. Hundreds of mirrors, all tilted to reflect as many of the sun's heat as possible into the receivers in the top of the tower. It just didn't make any sense. Why was he here? The plans were complete. They were almost done.

Michael glanced over at Reggie. The older man was studying some plans he'd withdrawn from his pocket. He squinted at them and moved the papers back a little.

'Why don't you get some glasses?' Michael asked.

'Don't need glasses' Reggie sounded indignant. He narrowed his eyes at the drawings, then nodded as though he'd got exactly what he needed and folded them up.

Michael smiled humourlessly.

'Whatever you say' he said. 'What are we doing here, Reggie?'

'We're looking at the plans' Reggie frowned, not understanding.

'No, I mean, what are we doing here on this island' Michael said, impatiently. 'Solar power towers have been around for years. They don't need us.'

'Our job is to make it more efficient Michael' Reggie said. 'Most of these plants have been a disappointment. Not enough electricity being produced. Excuses like clouds and jet trails.' He shrugged his shoulders. 'The aim is to make this scale model efficient enough to be the electricity generation method of choice. Even when the sun doesn't shine like it does here.'

Michael frowned sceptically.

'I don't know anything about this' he said, in frustration.

'It's pretty simple' he said. 'The mirrors will go all the way around. They will reflect the sun's rays to the receivers being placed up top there.' He gestured vaguely in the direction of the top of what was, at this point, just scaffolding. 'It will heat the water and create steam, which drives the turbine.'

Michael looked at Reggie as he spoke.

'I know that….' Michael began, but his voice trailed off.

'We are trying the make the heat absorption process more efficient' Reggie continued. 'We're looked at different compounds to absorb the heat energy, ones with a higher heat capacity than water, that would act as a store of energy at night or when it's cloudy.'

Michael was finding it difficult to concentrate on what Reggie was saying. The dull throb in his head that had been building all day was reaching a crescendo, and he had to squint to keep his vision straight.

Reggie glanced over at him.

'Are you all right?' he asked, frowning at him.

'I'm fine' Michael muttered, trying to stand up. His balance tilted and he swayed suddenly, seeing stars in front of his eyes.

'Michael!' Reggie's voice sounded distant and Michael recognised the signs. He was going to pass out. He sat down abruptly and kicked his legs weakly in an attempt to push himself up against the scaffolding for support. The blackness started creeping in around the edges of his vision and there was a loud roar in his ears. He closed his eyes and tried to breathe normally.

He felt warmth on his arm and knew Reggie was next to him. He focused on his breathing, trying to quell the rising nausea. He leaned forward slightly and rested his head in his hands. The dizziness was passing and he felt the tunnel vision sensation receding and he sat back and opened his eyes slowly. Reggie was staring at him, concern all over his face. He opened his mouth to say something but Michael held up his hand.

'I know, I know' Michael said, smiling despite the pain in his head. 'I need my medicine.'

'Michael, this isn't a joke' Reggie said, crossly. 'Without that medicine, you will die. Simple as that. I do not think you want to die. Do you?'

He sat back on his haunches and raised his hands in frustration.

'No, Reggie, I don't want to die' Michael said. 'But would you trust a man you'd never met before to inject you with an experimental drug provided by a company that has drugged and kidnapped you and is currently holding you hostage by threatening to kill your pregnant wife?'

Reggie stared at him.

'No, I guess when you put it like that, I would not' he admitted. Michael raised his hands in a 'There you go' gesture.

'However' Reggie continued. 'I trust that the Company want you alive and working more than they want you dead right now. In fact, I'm so sure of that, I'm willing to inject the drug myself first. That way, you can see if there are any negative effects.'

'I don't want you to do that' Michael said, getting up slowly.

'Well, I want to do it.' Reggie said, an air of finality to his words. 'As soon as we get back to the Palace tonight, I will take your medicine. Someone has to. We're getting to a point where it won't matter if it's poisonous or not, Michael, you're going to die either way.'

He turned and walked away, shaking his head. Michael rubbed his eyes. The pain in his head was receding slightly, but the fogginess was there. He felt a familiar trickle and raised his fingers to his nose. He knew they would be covered in blood before he looked down. He wiped his fingers hastily and used his sleeve to wipe the rest away. Reggie was right. Sooner or later, he was going to have to take the drugs.