(Thanks to Can't Get Any Better, jamesss, Lance-Dusk, angie2282, AlexTheMortal and zackt2010 for your reviews! Allrigtio, of course, I'm back, and let's enter a base, shall we?
It took just two hours for the carrier to finally land down onto a large run-way. The moment it came to a stop, the doors hissed open, and Alice and the other nurses quickly rolled out the most in need of medical help, that being Zeke, Alex, and the two mysterious girls. During the trip the two girls had developed some kind of virus, so they had to go to a special Biochemist location in the base.
Riley was given crutches, and was helped off by Zach, while Mila was guided off by Carter. Conner got off by himself, and Tally and Leslie exited together.
The moment Leslie's feet hit the ground, he gasped. In front of him was a large dome, with hexagonal white panels acting as walls. Extending from this both left and white led to other, smaller domes, and this continued in a criss-cross pattern in a circle until forming another large dome behind them. The area in the middle was a beautiful garden. Trees sprouted from the ground, bearing all kinds of colours while the grass was green and lush.
"It may be odd, but it makes us feel like we're at home." Zach commented. Leslie properly looked at his appearance, and no longer was the childish young man. Still containing some of the personality, Zach was otherwise different. He had grown taller, and his muscles bulged under his black leather suit. On the suit was a label saying: Zach Dryer, A34.
"What does that mean? That 'A34'?" Leslie asked, as they started to walk, or hobble, to the large dome in front of them. On it was a large black number, 80.
Zach glanced down at his label. "Oh, that's just are assigned domes. There are eighty in total, and they are divided into ability. Dome One is where Leardel resides, while Domes Two to Ten are the main people, like the Co-Generals of the army, Head Doctor, and Head Scientist. And then there are Domes Eleven to Forty are the barracks for the army, Domes Forty-One to Seventy are based on the Sciences and Medical Facilities. The rest act as eating quarters, armoury, and general sleeping quarters for unassigned humans." Zach explained.
"So you are in the army?" Leslie asked.
"Yeah, I'm in the front-line section. Each of the Domes for the barracks is different sub-divisions, such as reconnaissance, assault, sneak attacks and the like."
"That sounds awfully complicated." Tally said. "But I can see that you understand what each and every dome does."
"You're the mind reader, aren't you?" Zach asked.
"Well, you could call it that." Tally said. "But don't worry, I can only hear what is currently being thought. If I concentrate, I can see that you once tried to become friends with a girl called Naomi."
"Blimey, that was a while back." Zach replied, smiling. "But that is one handy ability you have there. I have a feeling you'll be put into Reconnaissance."
"What do you mean?" Leslie asked, looking sharply at Zach.
Zach's smile faltered slightly. "Oh yeah... there is no money to pay to stay here at the base. But if you do stay, you have to either join the forces or the research divisions. Each of you will be assigned to one tomorrow by Commander Leardel. But don't worry, it's not that bad. We are just preparing for war."
"War?" Leslie questioned.
Before Zach could reply, a crisp voice sounded.
"Dryer! Stop the chatting!" The voice came from a woman in the same kind of black leather suit. She apparently came from A5. She had black hair, tied in a ponytail. Leslie noticed swirling script around her neck, saying: The Miracle Skyhawks.
Leslie suddenly realised who he was looking at. "Jade! Jade Skysong!"
Jade looked up at Leslie. "Morning. First off, if you end up in my Squadron, you follow only my rules, and no one else's."
Leslie was taken aback by the abruptness. "Um..."
"Second of all..." Now, Jade let off a smile. "Don't feel miserable. Everyone here needs to see the best of things, especially with the upcoming war. But long time no see Leslie." Jade suddenly squinted her eyes. "Woah, where'd you get the cool scars? And how'd you lose the eye?"
"Oh yeah... you were... well..." Leslie faltered, not willing to say anything in fear of insulting Jade.
"Oh, just say it. Yeah, after I was killed by Death with a pole through the heart." Jade said, shrugging it off.
"F-fair enough..." Leslie said. "Well, after that, I was thrown into a hotdog cart, which smashed and I was impaled multiple times, including in my eye."
"A... hotdog cart?"
"Yeah... not quite heroic, is it?" Leslie smiled.
"You could say that. Anyway, I'll be taking you to your rooms first, where you can rest, wash-up, and go to sleep." Jade said, turning on her heel and entering the dome.
The others followed into the dome and gasped. The roof was criss-crossed with steel beams but otherwise everything was smooth. The floors were polished and shining, and a wall split the dome in half. At the wall rested a desk, with a receptionist scribbling things down on a notepad.
"I'll take the injured to the hospital to get properly treated." Zach said. "And that means Riley, Conner and Mila." Zach pointed down the left hallway, where Riley immediately went, slightly nervous as her crutches clicked off the floor. Mila stumbled a bit as Zach grabbed her arm, her face blank. She had been completely silent, and now she was being guided down the hallway by Zach.
"Conner, that means you." Nat said from behind them, and nudged the butt of the rifle in his back.
"Why?" Conner crossed his arms. "I'm not injured."
"You need a proper check-up. We didn't have x-rays in the carrier, and you may have some kind of brain injury."
"Brain injury! Yeah right, I don't have any kind of fucking..."
"I will force you to go to the hospital whether you like it, or not. I know about your murderous ways Conner, so it'll be in your best interest to be good, otherwise you may find yourself joining Trent and William." Nat stared ferociously at Conner, who snorted, shook his head, and followed the other three. Nat then followed Conner.
"All right." Jade said. "Follow me, I'll take you to the sleeping quarters." At that, Jade walked down the opposite hallway, followed by Tally and Leslie, the only ones uninjured.
(Line Break)
It took ten minutes to reach the sleeping quarters, and Jade led the two to a room full of bunk-beds. "Yes, you will be sharing. We think it's better to interact." Jade explained. "Females and males can intermingle, but certain things are restricted. The only things lovers can do here is kiss and hug. No further."
"That's... understandable." Leslie said, stroking his face.
"Well, that's about all you need to know for today." Jade said. "You'll be fine. It's basically one giant family here." At that, Jade turned on her heels and left Tally and Leslie alone in an eerie silence.
"This is really amazing..." Tally muttered. "So many humans, and we didn't even know they existed. True, they were once dead, but they are still made of flesh and bone and blood. They are still human."
"True." Leslie agreed. "I'm going to go and find a shower, if you don't mind. I haven't washed for like, a week."
"I'm going to find a free bed." Tally said, and at the two moved away. Leslie headed towards a door at the far end of the building, where two doors were. Female and Male rooms the signs indicated. Shrugging, Leslie went into the male rooms and walked towards a row of what looked like showers, before catching sight of himself in a mirror. He drew back and stared at himself with his one eye in alarm.
Leslie's face was drawn and his fringe hung over his scarred face. The scars were ugly on his skin, and the one extending over his missing eye seemed more prominent than before. "James..." Leslie whispered. "I can't let you see me like this..."
(Allright! Let's list another returning character!
Jade Skysong - Final Destination The Elimination Game
Do not fret, there WILL be more, which will appear in the next few chapters.
See you for that chapter!