“Well, isn’t this sweet?” A Guardian sneered down at us. “On your feet, traitors.”

We climbed stiffly from the van, unsure of how long we’d been travelling, the lack of windows in the garage we parked in giving nothing away.

How you feeling, Cory? Cas asked as Cory stumbled slightly.

Like I was hit by an idiot. I knew we should have sprang for biomonitors.

Cas smiled at him slightly before turning and looking around the room. The walls were bare red bricks with glaringly bright white lights giving everything a slightly clinical vibe. Cameras stared down at us from every angle. It looked almost like the orphanage. Bare and devoid of happiness.

The garage was entirely empty apart from another black windowless Council van in the far corner. Too far for us to run to if we were to try. Especially whilst handcuffed. A door opened silently and another Guardian marched in. I tried to glance behind them to see more but all I could see was a white brick wall beyond the door. There was nothing to give us any clues as to where we were. This new Guardian seemed more important than the two idiots who drove us there though, judging by the way they’d jumped to attention the second the door was open. I had no idea how they could tell each other apart. The ridiculous helmets and uniforms meant all Guardians looked the same to me.

“Where are we?” I asked as soon as the new Guardian reached us, the words tearing at my raw throat.

“In a private Council prison where you will be staying until the Council have passed judgement on you.” The Guardian announced.

The Guardians who drove us there snapped into a salute before being dismissed and disappearing through a door on the far wall.

“We have the right to a fair trial.” Peggy insisted, stepping forwards.

“Not when you commit treason.” The Guardian answered smoothly.

“But we didn’t!”

“By disregarding a Council decision you committed treason.”

My heart sank even further. Technically she wasn’t wrong.

The Guardian retrieved a sturdy looking chain from the belt of her uniform and clipped it onto our cuffs before turning and marching towards the door, dragging us with her.

“Where’s Gem?” Cory asked desperately, rushing to catch up.

“Fall back.” The Guardian snarled.

“Please. Please! Where is she? Is she still alive?” His voice broke as tears threatened his eyes again.

The Guardian slowed slightly and turned her head slightly towards him whilst still looking forwards.

“They’re still operating on her. I have no further information yet.” She breathed, her lips barely moving, before speeding up again.

I smiled, allowing myself to feel hopeful for a second. If they were still operating that meant she was still alive. She had to survive.

Why do they march everywhere? Do they not know how to walk normally? Cas asked sounding genuinely curious and also trying to distract Cory.

It’s part of their programme. Apparently, it makes them look more unified and professional. Peggy informed us.

How do you know? I looked back just in time to see her flush slightly.

I may have hacked into something so I could read their guidance… I wanted to know more… She trailed off as Cas and I laughed internally.

Of course you did.

We were led through a maze of never-ending sterile white corridors to an unmarked door that the Guardian had to scan the chip in their hand to enter. My eyes immediately snapped to the two Guardians already standing inside next to a MedBot before scanning the room. Just like the corridors we’d walked through, it was unassuming and mostly empty. A shower head caked in whiteish buildup jutted out of the wall opposite us.

“One at a time you will be uncuffed, strip off, shower and then be scanned and searched by the MedBot before given clean scrubs. We have been authorised to use force, do not make that necessary.” The Guardian threatened as they walked towards Peggy and unclipped her from us before uncuffing her and pushing her into the centre of the room.

“But... I don’t want to get undressed in front of you all.” She stuttered, looking around at the Guardians fearfully as her hands clutched at her flight suit.

“You don’t have a choice. You gave up those rights when you knowingly committed a crime against the Council.” One of the Guardian barked, pushing her towards the showerhead with one hand and bringing the other threateningly towards their baton.

We’ll close our eyes, Peg. Let us know when you’re dressed again. Cory thought gently.

I don’t want to do this. She sent back, a tremor in her voice.

“Stop standing around or we will be forced to intervene.” The Guardian shouted.

Peggy visibly shook as she reached up to unzip her flight suit. I shot her a supportive smile even though I was really scared too before shutting my eyes.

If you need anything just let us know Peg. We’re right here. I thought to her, hating how helpless I was feeling and resisting the urge to attack the Guardians for doing this to her.

Let us know what’s going on and if the Guardians move. Cas added. We can still fight them even with cuffs on.

I heard the shower turn on and strained to hear if the Guardians were moving but I couldn’t hear anything else.

What’s happening now, Peg? I asked, agitated and half tempted to activate my eye mods so I could see what was happening with heat sensors.

I’m showering. Do you think the medBot will pick up on our mods?

I don’t think so. The ones at the base can’t.

The shower stopped and I could only hear water dripping from Peggy onto the tile floor.

“Raise your hands out to the side at a ninety-degree angle whilst the Bot scans you. Do not move otherwise you will be restrained.” A Guardian instructed coldly.

The gentle buzz of the Bot filled the room as we waited anxiously to find out if we would be caught.

“Turn.” There was a pause before the Guardian said, “Alright. You may get dressed.”

We’re safe. Peggy sighed.

“You next.” A Guardian grabbed my arm, pulling me forwards.

You can look, Aries! Peggy thought quickly as I stumbled, my eyes squeezed shut.

I undressed as quickly as I could, glancing once at my crew who were standing bloody and determined with their eyes tightly closed. I tried to check them over for injuries but couldn’t see any. Cory was covered in Gem’s blood, his hands clutched together but he seemed uninjured. Cas was covered in blood too but it was old and dried. They didn’t seem hurt. I smiled briefly before handing over my flight suit to the Guardian who stared unnervingly at my naked body. I looked away from my reflection in their helmet and stepped under the water, the coldness stealing the breath from my lungs and tried to scrub some of the blood off my hands that I hadn’t noticed before. I didn’t even know how it could have gotten on me but it was caked into the beds of my nails.

Are you okay, Aries? Cas thought, a note of desperation colouring his thoughts.

I’m okay, about to get scanned. I informed them as I stepped towards the medBot.

Let us know if they even dare to touch you. Cas thought, viciously.

“Raise your arms.” The Guardian barked.

I did as they demanded and stood shivering as the Bot scanned me. I glanced at the screen and seeing that the machine hadn’t picked up on my mods, breathed a sigh of relief.

They can’t see the mods. I confirmed trying to conceal a smirk.

The Guardian handed me an oversized white scrub top and drawstring trousers and I barely had time to pull the top over my head before they cuffed me again.

“You next!” A Guardian shoved him forwards.

Safe! I thought quickly as Cas lurched forwards keeping his eyes shut.

Cas’ eyes opened and they found me immediately. He scanned me up and down, checking to make sure I was okay before breathing a sigh of relief.

“Now!” One of the Guardians shouted, stepping forwards threateningly.

Cas quickly started to unzip his suit and I squeezed my eyes shut quickly but not before Cas caught me looking.

Couldn’t resist another peek? He asked, clearly grinning.

My cheeks flushed but I refused to answer as I heard him chuckling in my head.

Can you not flirt for five minutes? We are literally in prison, accused of treason. Is this the best time? Peggy reprimanded us.

I could feel my cheeks continue to colour but I couldn’t bring myself to reply.

“Raise your arms.”

I waited anxiously.

“Turn.” The Guardian sounded bored by this point.

“Wait a minute.” One of them muttered quietly.

Shit. What is it? I asked Cas, immediately panicking and fighting not to open my eyes.

I don’t know, it’s not my mods. He thought back quickly. I’ve tried to peek but they’re in front of the Bot.

“These freckles weren’t on the records supplied by the Councillor.” One of them muttered and we breathed a collective sigh.

Fuck, I didn’t think they’d catch them. I thought anxiously.

“Explain yourself!” Cas was instructed.

“They’re tattoos.” He said, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Where did you get them done?”

“One of the guys on the base had a machine and some needles. Didn’t seem too safe but he said they were sterile. They didn’t get infected so I guess I’m fine.”

Good lie, Cas. Cory thought at him.

The Guardians conferred for a minute in hushed voices and I heard a mumble of “pretty stupid tattoo. Someone will have to tell the Councillor” before they ordered Cas to get dressed again.

“Your turn.”

My eyes still shut, I heard Cory walk towards the shower and turn it on. Under the rush of water, he gasped quietly.

What is it, Cory? Are you okay? Cas thought immediately.

I fought to keep my eyes shut but I wanted to open them and check on him so badly. I should have. Then, I could have made sure he got treatment sooner.

I cut my hand. It must have happened when I was removing the shrapnel from Gem. I barely even noticed. His thoughts were shaky.

Is it bad? I asked.

Quite bad.

For Cory to say an injury was quite bad meant that it must be really bad. He tended to under exaggerate when talking about his own injuries. He once broke his leg on an exploratory mission when a landslide hit suddenly and told us it was a “bit sore”. I don’t know if it was just because he hated other people working on him or if he was just used to the pain.

Are you okay? Is it deep? Peggy sounded worried too.

“Out of the shower!” He was instructed.

I’m okay, it’ll need treatment though.

We waited until Cory had been scanned and dressed again before opening our eyes, immediately trying to look at his injury to gauge the severity but we had been lined up again with him at the front so none of us could see. The shower room door opened again and we were led along another seemingly endless corridor to a lift which took us high into the building.

Where are we do you think? Cas asked.

I glanced at the buttons on the lift but they only had numbers on which didn’t help at all.

I tried to work it out when we were driving here but every time I looked out of the window they told me off. I believe we went mostly east, about 100 miles or so? Maybe further, it was hard to judge the speed. Peggy answered.

The lift was silent apart from the hum of electrics and a soft dripping I hadn’t noticed at first. I looked around, trying to work out where the noise was coming from, flaring my nostrils to try and pick up a scent. The tangy metallic smell was coming from somewhere in front of me.

Cory, are you bleeding? I tried to lean around Peggy to look at him but the Guardian shoved me back into the line.

I’m fine. He thought back at us.

He is! Peggy quickly leaned around him to look, getting shoved back into place by a Guardian too.

It’s fine. I think the shower must have dislodged the scab a little and made it bleed again.

“Excuse me? He needs to see a doctor.” Peggy gestured towards Cory with her head.

“We are aware.” The Guardian answered abruptly.

“Will he be able to see one here?”

The lift stopped and we were dragged out into another white corridor without a reply. Doors lined either side with small covered windows sitting high on them so we couldn’t see into the rooms but, judging from the Guardians posted at intervals along the corridor, this was our prison.

How many people are in here? Peggy wondered, counting the doors. I can see 12 doors from here, not sure how far around it goes though.

I breathed in deeply and listened for a moment but didn't hear or smell any sign of another prisoner.

I think it’s empty.

We stopped outside one of the doors and a Guardian opened it. I craned my head to see inside but couldn’t from where I was standing. Another Guardian uncuffed Cas from the back of the line and pushed him into the room.

“How long are we going to—” He was cut off as the door was shut.

“How long are we going to be here?” Peggy asked instead.

“As long as the Council decides.”

My heart dropped as we walked forwards to the next room and the Guardian started to uncuff me. That could mean any amount of time.

Cory, show me your hand as I go in. I commanded.

He sighed audibly but didn’t disagree. I walked into the room, spinning quickly to catch a glimpse of his injury. He carefully held his right hand out slightly. The skin on his palm under his ring and little finger was ripped open and blood flowed freely along them.

I felt my eyes widen in shock as the Guardian slammed the door in my face. It was much worse than he told us.