Artemis speaks to another person up front, addressing him by name, and inquiring about his family. The Regulator departs, the doors close, and we move forward then stop. There’s a soft clicking sound, causing the car to vibrate faintly. The vehicle makes another slight jerk forward, settles downward, and begins to glide. We have now connected to a set of rails for the shuttle system.
The scenery on the windows slowly changes from mountains to lower highlands. I try to look out through the window in front of Artemis, but there is some sort of thin veil between him and us, preventing me from gaining any clear glimpses. Another hour passes before we come to a stop. The doors open and another Regulator boards. This time the power is shut down so they can inspect the undercarriage.
I look out of the windows and see we are in a transportation center. Many people are walking about the platform, with several shuttles loading and unloading passengers. The interior is constructed of the same white titanium as the oasis, including the ceiling with its artificial sunlight. No one pays much attention to us as the Regulators inspect every inch of the interior and exterior of our car. As soon as we are cleared, the car lowers back onto the rail and the engine turns on, however this time the windows don’t change as we move forward, coasting past other shuttles, down the white interior, and out into the open.
I’m first struck by the brightness of the city as lights slowly turn on inside the tall structures that envelop us. The sun appears to be setting, as the sky above has a slight pink tint to the fading blue. We slide past buildings constructed of polished steel and blue tinted windows. Sidewalks scattered with residents sit along either side of us. Apparently the rail system in the city is not elevated like it is out in the Wasteland.
We come to an interchange, switch rails, and begin heading to our right, moving around the city instead of through it. Every inch is covered in concrete and skyscrapers. The only evidence of greenery consists of either large potted plants or sporadic palm trees strategically placed along the rail line. We pass through another interchange, then slow as we are diverted onto another rail that takes us underneath one of the high-rises, before coming to a stop. Artemis exits out of his door just as ours opens. Matt and the others get up, and I follow.
As we stand on the platform, our shuttle moves off down the rail. Artemis leads us to an elevator marked express. When the doors open, we step on board as Artemis pushes the last button at the top. Once the doors are closed we are quickly whisked skyward. The walls of the enclosure are glass, so we are able to observe the lobby briefly as we ascend. The floors fly past almost at a blur. There are several other elevator shafts surrounding ours, moving up and down in a bizarre dance in the center of the building. We soon reach the top level, popping up through the floor.
“Welcome to The Letchworth,” Artemis announces, giving a mocking bow to us as we exit the elevator.
Matt lumbers past, knocking me slightly as he goes. He walks around the glass enclosure of the elevator towards a set of doors on the other side, and slams them loudly behind him. Corinna and Raven giggle as they prance over the hardwood floors to the living room, where they both lean against the windows, looking down at the scenery below. The other two fighters, Aidan and Wes, go off to another room at the far left of the entrance. I stay standing just outside the elevator, taking in the place.
The apartment is completely circular, the elevator shaft being the core. The living room lies in front of me, the kitchen and dining room are off to my left. The only walls are for room separation at the back of the apartment, where I assume the bedrooms and bathrooms are located. Thick white columns encircle the space, probably used more for support than aesthetics. The floor is light colored hardwood and the walls a pale rose. The apartment is furnished with overstuffed couches and chairs, many teak wood tables, and several marble statues.
Lights ensconced in the ceiling begin to come to life as the sun sets. I walk over to where Corinna and Raven had been standing, as they have now moved off to the kitchen. The windows in the living room are floor to ceiling in height. I’ve never been so high up before, so I hesitantly move closer to the windows, standing a few inches from the edge, making sure I’m not leaning against the glass before I look out.
Down below my feet is the rail system of the shuttle, bending slightly as it goes around the city. Several pedestrian bridges straddle the rails making it possible to move from one area to another without being electrocuted. The interchange is to the right of us, high-rises springing up across the street from the interchange as well as to the right and left of the Letchworth. The people roaming about the sidewalk look small and insignificant from this altitude.
My gaze moves outward to the large stadium directly in front of us. The arena is long, slightly bow-like. Seats encompass the inner walls, and only a few are blocked off by large chain metal links. The base of the arena itself looks to be metallic, spanning almost the entire length of the stadium. Reflective barriers encircle the arena floor, rising only a few feet, not giving much protection to the spectators. My eyes move over the stadium onto the mass of water behind it.
The waves
