'President Hobart's controversial policies on women seem to have had some unexpected effects. After his State of the Union address, during which he promised to bring a 'New Age of Man' to the world, many economists are coming around to what was initially thought to be political suicide. Joining me now are Shailene Lucille, Senator Lucas Johnson and noted economist Paul Degart. Paul, let's begin with the economy.'

'Certainly, Bill. What is certainly true, and is being often repeated by this administration, is that until recently women represented a major deficit in resource output compared to the currency they control. Women effectively contributed around one trillion dollars in resources to the worldwide economy. However, when you factor in that they also consumed fourteen trillion dollars in resources, and were predominately employed in the seriously struggling service sector, we can see how this upturn in economic fortunes is happening.'

'You can't possibly be trying to normalise this barbaric behaviour!'

'Shailene, good to see you. I wondered how long we would have to wait.'

'Very funny, Paul. Your heartless money-counting has made me a bit sick, to be honest, which is why I found it hard to speak up until now. But I suppose you think I should be locked up in one of those compounds just like the rest, then you won't have to deal with me?'

'There is no need for insults. Paul, thank you for your insight.'

Nate watched the news broadcast from a small ante-chamber next to an office with a reinforced door that bore the title 'BLUENORTH FOUNDER', but no name.

She was here somewhere, he knew it. They had not shown him the cages yet, only led him from the entryway straight up to the first floor, a plushly-carpeted series of rooms with beige walls and oil paintings of ships. He was sitting on what looked like an antique bench, and next to him was a man younger than he who was buzzing with almost rude excitement.

'Can you believe it?' He exploded, unable to wait for Nate to start the conversation any longer, 'Can you believe we might get to work here?'

Nate forced a smile. 'Nah, its amazing.'

'You said it. This is way overdue, if you ask me. Bitches had it coming. Time to put them back in their place!'

Nate thought without speaking that at no point in history had this in fact been their place. The irritating young man showed him a hand, and Nate shook it quickly.

'Solomon!' He almost yelled his name.

'Nate. Good to meet you.'

'So,' He rubbed his hands together gleefully, 'reckon we get to use any of them?'

'I... I don't... couldn't tell you.'

'Well, whatever I got to do, you know?'

'Mhm.'

Nate suppressed his anger by trying to imagine what a loser of a virgin of an abuse victim that asshole must be. He suddenly realised how hard it was going to be keep his thoughts to himself while he was here. His face would strain from the effort of all the forced smiling.

The heavy door opened and the man he knew to be Wilkes poked his bespectacled head around the gap.

'Nate?'

Nate got to his feet and shook this hand more sturdily. He had a feeling Wilkes might be more aware of his surroundings than the frustrated teen still sitting on the antique bench.

'Good to meet you again, Sir.'

'Don't bother with that,' Wilkes waved off the sir and led Nate into his highly appointed office. It bore an even stronger resemblance to the captain's cabin of an old merchant ship than did the rest of the guard's zones.

Wilkes took a seat at his grand desk and gestured for Nate to sit opposite him. Nate sat.

'I realise you didn't exactly choose me based on my C.V...' Nate began, but Wilkes cut him off.

'Your aunt has done us a great service. You were part of the deal. I don't mean to make you feel like a traded horse but, the deal is done, and if I don't hire you, I lose business.'

'Right,' Nate watched the man light up a cigar in wonder, 'so... what do you want to interview me for? I mean, if its all done?'

Wilkes blew a neat smoke ring over the desk which wafted above Nate's head.

'There isn't another business like this in the world, Mr. Howard,' Wilkes said, taking another deep puff, 'at least not yet. I need to know the men I'm bringing on board are, well, men. The sort that will not look to rat us out for tabloid cash. The kind that believe in what we're doing here.'

Nate nodded vigorously. 'Yessir, I do. Believe in it, I mean.'

Wilkes' eyelids narrowed a little. He seemed to be chewing his tongue as he looked at Nate, all full of nothing Nate could name.

'Uh huh.'

'If you'll look at my record, Sir, I took biochemistry, and I learned all about sexual dimorphism. I know its just propaganda when they say women are equal, Sir. I know that.' He finished his rehearsed speech lamely, feeling a rising sensation that this man knew far more about him than he was letting on.

'Good.' Was all Wilkes said. He kept looking at Nate as if expecting him to speak, so Nate spoke.

'I mean, it will be an adjustment, for sure.'

'Why do you say that?' asked Wilkes softly.

Why the hell did you say that?'

'Well, its like you said... there's nowhere else like this.'

Wilkes shrugged his shoulders, lips on the verge of a smile, 'so why adjust?'

Nate felt sweat forming on his brow. He had to get a job here, he just had to. She would never get out on her own, and this bastard could kill her at any moment. He needed to close this deal.

'Because I want this to be the way the world is, Sir.' He hated himself for saying it, but it needed saying.

For what felt like an eternity he was sure Wilkes could see through him completely. Then, as abruptly as he had been brought in, he was ushered out with a 'Welcome to Ekpow!' and that was that. He was back in the hallway and wondering where on earth to go next.

Thirteen wings, five floors each, and every floor holding thousands of women.

He had better start looking for Alyssa.