CRONUS

Part 3: Atlas

Atlas Research Hospital

The Elite

The Capital City, Cronus

My reflection looks back up at me from the spotless floor beneath my dirty boots. The dark Sector clothes clash with the sparkly pearl-white walls and green accents all across the hospital lobby. Although I have access to Elite clothing, I prefer my Sector clothes. They're me. It's my facial expression, though, that screams more than anything I don't belong here.

Jackson told me I'd get used to everything on this side of the mountain, but he was dead wrong.

The hospital, like everything else in the Elite, is beyond excessive. From the base, here at the lobby, starts a wide ramp that circles and climbs all the way to the top of the building ten stories above my head. The sun pierces through the all-glass ceiling above, bringing to life the planters lining the ramp and lighting the heads of the few people walking around.

As I glare at a distant spot on the other side of the lobby, I ignore the stares and whispers of the not-so-busy doctors and scientists.

Nothing to see here people. Go about your fu-

"Ray!" A young man in a lab coat waves from across the way. I don't feign a smile as he approaches me, bouncing on the balls of his feet as he goes. No more than five little hairs prickle out of his chin, just under an annoyingly bright grin.

"Hello, Ray. I'm Fred," he greets me. With my hands in my pockets, I offer him a small nod.

"This way to see Dr. Perres." He doesn't waste a moment as turns to lead the way. I agreed to this, I remind myself for the tenth time in the last few minutes.

Following a pace behind him, we reach the other side of the lobby and step into one of the many elevators. He uses a keycard to activate it and the elevator immediately comes to life. The ride down is silent, but I catch him sneaking a glance at me.

"I saw your fight, you know," he whispers excitedly. "From last year's tournament in Limon. Everyone thought you were done for, then bam! Incredible!" He shakes his head.

"Bummer I can never go back then, huh?"

He instantly turns away at the mention of the new border restrictions put in place by Cronus. A cough, then silence.

I left Cronus once for the Blended Fighting League tournament in Limon, just under a year ago. Now, never again. Even leaving the first time took months of paperwork and jumping through a million hoops.

The elevator doors slide open as we arrive just two floors beneath the lobby. Countless doors line each side of the long corridor, but we stop short just one down from the elevator. As we enter a small examination room, a middle-aged, dark-haired woman spins around in her chair at our arrival.

"You must be Ray." She speaks matter-of-fact, her voice monotonous. Deep and dark bags rest heavily beneath her blank eyes. "Thank you Fred." She excuses my escort and he quickly leaves. I don't reply as I stand in the doorway, hesitating.

I really don't want to be here.

"Go ahead and take a seat." She points to an examination table against the wall. I slowly and painfully move towards it. As I sit on the edge, she closes documents on a computer and rubs her eyes before turning around.

"The point of our conversation today is to see if this is a good fit." She offers a tiny smile. "Not only for us, but for you. You mentioned your shoulder has been troublesome. You have some tears, correct?" She asks rhetorically without pausing. "May I examine it?" She stands and approaches without an invitation. I nod without a word.