Fielding turned to unlock the car doors before stepping out and slowly helping Party to his feet and out of the rear passenger seat.

“Is that your friend?” Fielding admired the impressive drawing that had been left on the seat. “Frankie?”

Party glanced down, momentarily losing his balance, his head swimming.

“Never mind, Gerard,” Fielding shook her head. “Let“s just get you inside.”
“Yeah, that’s Frankie,” he replied with a faint smile.

Reaching down, as he steadied himself, Party picked up the sketch and quickly folding it, he stuffed the paper into his jeans back pocket.

Once they were both outside the car, Fielding signalled for Party to lean against the car and wait while she opened the trunk and reactivated Green, relieved to find her still functioning. Sitting up, Green was astonished to discover that they were beyond the city walls and her batteries were still charged. It had been a lie that she had lived in fear of for so long. Rising quickly and stepping from the car, she looked quickly from Fielding to Party and back.

“What do you need me to do?” She asked.
“I need you to help me take Gerard into the hospital, and when we’re nearly there, I want you to run ahead and brief a doctor that I’m a doctor and bringing in a man who is ill and needs immediate attention. Do not give his name, or tell anyone that he’s been tortured by BLI. If anyone asks, I found him like this. Is that okay?”
“Yes, doctor,” Green acknowledged the instructions and took one of Party’s arms while Fielding took the other.

It seemed an age, walking slowly to the main doors of the hospital. The parking lot was largely deserted, which Fielding was delighted to see - the last thing she needed was a full hospital and very possibly people who would recognise the flame-haired young man. Near the entrance, Green set off on her own to fetch a doctor from inside and it was at that point that Fielding’s expression turned to one of distress as she noticed the dilapidated condition of the building. The doors, that had once been automatic were wedged open - on one side with a block of wood and on the other with a lump of concrete. The floor tiles were cracked, as were two of the windows near to the door. It was... the best she could muster to describe it was ‘trying to be clean’ but failing in several areas. In the lobby stood two empty vending machines, a row of plastic chairs and an unmanned reception desk. Green was nowhere in sight; in fact there was no one around at all.

“Hello?” She called, helping Party to a seat, her expression crumpling with pity as he immediately lay down across the row. From his grey complexion, it struck her that he desperately needed urgent medical attention. “Hello!” She shouted again. “Doctor?”

After the second shout, she could hear the sound of footsteps moving towards her down the corridor on the opposite side of the lobby. She desperately hoped it would be another doctor or even a nurse, someone, anyone who could help.

Turning back to Party, she knelt at his side and stroked his hair gently, noticing with a frown that it was now damp with sweat.

“What do we have?” A male voice called from the corridor. “Chloe?”

Fielding looked up sharply at the sound of her name. It was so unexpected, she lost her balance and almost slipped over onto her left hip.

“Chris!” She almost stammered, stunned to see her friend and colleague, Dr Chris Harrison, alive and working in so bleak a place. “I thought you were dead.”
“Huh, well, but for a hefty bribe, I would be,” he replied, jogging the remaining few feet to her side and crouching beside her. “We can talk later. What have you got?”
“BLI torture victim,” she replied with detail she hadn’t previously felt comfortable sharing.
“BLI?” He frowned, taking Party’s pulse. “When did you get out?”

Fielding offered a short laugh and shook her head.

“About two hours ago.”
“Two hours? I guess he’s the reason you left? You and him...?” He asked with a light shrug and a smile.
“No, it was... I was drafted to the S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W Unit. I couldn’t stand what they were doing to him.”
“What were they doing? Memory erasing? Interrogation?”
“Korse regressed him to age ten and was trying to drive him insane. He’s been drugged and...”
“What!” Harrison sat back on his heels. “That’s a new one! What for?”
“He... it’s a long story.”
“Okay,” he shrugged. “Let’s take a look at him.”

Dr Harrison pushed Party’s hair back from his face and took a deep nervous breath.

“You know who this is, I presume? Party Poison; probably BLI’s most wanted man.”
“Yes,” she nodded, realising as he spoke that Party had passed out. “I know who he is.”
“Oh, right, because you were acting like you didn’t. Are you sure you and him aren’t a thing?”
“I’m sure,” she replied sternly. “He’s not how BLI are portraying him.”
“He tell you that, did he?” He asked sceptically. “You threw away your career, maybe your life, on the word of a notorious rebel?”
“Hang on a minute,” Fielding frowned deeply with confusion at Harrison’s words. “This from the man who had to bribe someone to stop BLI from killing him? You’re defending them?”
“No, I’m not defending them and yeah, I found out the hard way what they’re like, but you had a good life there.”
“So I don’t have as good a moral compass as you? Is that it?” Fielding snapped, insulted by the intimation.

Harrison sighed; the conversation had gone all wrong and he truly wished he could have started it over from the beginning, but that wasn’t possible. What was possible was an apology and an explanation.

“I’m sorry, Chloe, that’s not what I meant at all. Hear me out.” He gathered his thoughts before continuing. “BLI are evil. I know that and I’m sure they were doing terrible things to him, but I also wonder what sort of things he’s done to warrant extermination? They don’t just hand that sentence out lightly.”
“He’s related to Korse,” Fielding explained simply.

Harrison took a deep breath as he considered her words.

“Ouch! That’s got to hurt.”
“Him or Korse?” Fielding asked, still wondering if he thought she’d been suckered into throwing her life away.
“I can’t imagine it being much fun for either of them. Makes sense though, I bet Korse is seriously embarrassed.”
“I don’t think it’s in him to be embarrassed,” Fielding grumbled.
“Well, whatever he feels, he’s certainly done a number on him. What’s he presenting?”

Fielding looked with curiosity at her former colleague, still uncertain if he was willing to help.

“Dizziness, nausea, hot and cold sweats and... well now he’s unconscious. He’s been drugged and regressed. He thinks he’s ten years old. I need help to get him back to the present.”
“You do know the very real danger of bringing him here, don’t you?”
“Chris, are you going to help us or not? Because if you’re not, I need to get him to Overmorsen.”
“There isn’t a hospital in Overmorsen, just a clinic and... you don’t need to take him anywhere.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I hate BLI for what they do too but I’m really quite fond of staying alive.”
“So, if they come for us, hand us over,”she snapped irritably.
“It’s not that straightforward, you know that,” he returned.
“I’m taking him to Overmorsen.” Fielding rose to her feet, shaking Party as she stood over him.
“There isn’t...”
"Yes, I heard you. There’s no hospital in Overmorsen, but I’m willing to take my chances.”
“I’ll help,” Harrison raised his hands in a conciliatory gesture. “I’ll help. If they come, I’ll claim ignorance. I haven’t seen him.”
“You’re going to talk to BLI? You? They think you’re dead! What if Korse comes here?”
“It’s a bit late to be worrying about that, isn’t it?” Harrison’s voice rose in pitch.
“Well, I didn’t know you were here, did I?” Fielding’s tone now matched his.
“No, no, I’m sorry,” he sighed again.
“Just kiss, already,” Party slurred from his position, lying across several chairs, bringing a light laugh to Fielding’s lips.
“Forward, isn’t he?” Harrison shook his head in dismay.

Distracted by the sudden approach of Green, her movements quick and jerky and her expression pensive, both doctors turned to face her.

“What is it?” Fielding asked.
“Doctor Fielding,” Green spoke. “My assignment chip is being tracked. If I remain here, a squad of draculoids will be here here soon. Possibly even Exterminator Korse himself.”
“Can you stop the trace?” Fielding asked, concerned for their safety.
“I’m afraid not,” Green replied softly. “I believe they have located me. What I’m sensing now is more of a beacon signal.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Fielding asked, unwilling to move on giving Party’s worrying condition but equally afraid to stay.
“I will take the car and drive as far from here as I can before they catch up with me.”
“But, when they do, they’ll...” Fielding gasped at the remarkable sacrifice Green seemed willing to take.
“I know, doctor, but I am programmed to protect him. His life is more important than mine. I have to ensure his safety.”

Fielding reached into her pocket and handed the keys to the porno droid with a look of admiration.

“Thank you and... good luck,” she nodded, clasping the android’s hand briefly.
“I’ll lead them away. He’ll be safe.”

Fielding watched momentarily as the android walked briskly to the exit.

“They were my car keys, weren’t they?” Harrison asked in a resigned tone.
Fielding licked her lips with a measure of embarrassment. “Um... yeah. Sorry.”
“Oh, well, it’s not like I could have gone back for it anyway. Okay, let’s fix him before anyone finds him here.”
“Thanks, Chris, I owe you,” Fielding smiled, placing a hand gently on his arm.
“Yes,” he nodded with a curious mixture of both certainty and disbelief in his eyes. “Yes, you do!”

*

Android Party was sitting in the front passenger seat of the trans am watching Kobra drive. In the rear passenger seats, Ghoul had taken his usual driver’s side place and was taking advantage of it to watch android Party intently. Beside him, Jet was in the middle seat and Red was by the door. Kobra was frowning deeply as he drove; Jet’s choice of seat was out of character. He typically preferred to sit near the door in case he was needed in a firefight. There really was only one reason for it and that was to keep Red as far from Party’s reach as it was possible to get in the car - sitting directly behind him was the least accessible position. Even Kobra had to admit he was conflicted; if Ghoul was right, he too wanted Red far from the imposter, but Ghoul wasn’t right. He couldn’t be right, the idea was ridiculous; he knew his own brother. And yet, his frown deepened still further as Ghoul’s words seeped into his brain; doubt was starting to eat away at his confidence.

The expression on Jet’s face wasn’t any lighter. Not since the revelation when the three of them had returned to the car that Red had proudly disclosed that he had missed the discovery that she was Jet’s sister and had changed her name to Red Star because of it. If this Party really was a BLI spy, decoy or something else, then it was likely that he had the means to let BLI know. The last thing he wanted was to see her face on the cover of the Battery City Times. Or worse, on a poster.

Ghoul was barely blinking as he stared angrily at android Party. Red could understand that to an extent. Party’s actions had deeply hurt Ghoul and it seemed to her that he could be firmly fixed in a impassioned sulk once he decided to play the victim. That part, she understood. But she didn’t understand why the car was running deathly silent with a pall hanging over them like a thunder cloud. No one had said anything after she had told them what she and Party had discussed when they were away cooling Ghoul down. But she had noticed their expressions and the feeling of disapproval and concern had bothered her.

“Are we going back to...” she began, only to be interrupted by Ghoul.
“Don’t say her name!”

He almost shouted, in an attempt to protect Kami from detection by BLI. Her only crime being harbouring rebels. Even rebel sympathisers could be arrested; if anyone knew she had housed and fed them, she would never see the light of day again.

“In fact,” he continued, with a sullen growl in his tone, “don’t mention anyone’s name.”
“All right,” Red looked at Ghoul, Jet and Kobra in turn. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing’s going on,” Kobra briefly looked back from the wheel.
“No, of course not,” Ghoul replied with his voice dripping with sarcasm. “There’s absolutely no weirdness in the car at all. Everyone’s happy, the birds are singing and...”
“Enough!” Jet snapped. “Kobra, how long until we get there?”
“Just a few minutes, now,” he replied with a sigh.
“Don’t change the subject!” Red insisted. “Tell me what’s going on. Jet?”

Jet sighed; he didn’t want to talk about their doubts in front of Party. If it was him, he’d feel terrible. If it wasn’t, he’d be aware that they knew. He’d know soon enough where they were headed now anyway, it didn’t seem necessary to keep it secret any longer.

“We’re going to the hospital to get Party checked over,” he announced.
“That doesn’t explain the atmosphere in the car,” she continued to press.

Jet turned and offered his best ‘drop it’ expression, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as he did.

“I’m all right, Jet,” Android Party insisted. “I don’t need a check up.”
“You forgot who Ghoul is, and Red for that matter.”
“They drugged me, Jet, messed with my memory. I’m still me!”
“Did anyone say you weren’t?” Ghoul asked bitterly as he leaned forward and poked Android Party’s arm.
“I’m sorry, Ghoul, I really am,” Android Party turned to face him.
“What for, Party? What exactly are you sorry for? Do you even know?” Ghoul began to grow steadily more agitated.
“Of course I know!” He replied without elaborating further.

He sounded sincere, but to Ghoul’s irritation, he sounded innocent.

“We’re here,” Kobra announced without enthusiasm as he pulled up in the largely empty parking lot.
“Party,” Jet began. “We just want to make sure that all their drugs are out of your system and make sure you’re okay.”

Android Party pushed a hand through his hair. If he objected, they would suspect something was wrong - if they didn’t already - but if he went inside, the doctor would know immediately. Nodding his agreement, he reached for the door handle to exit the car. There were few options open to him.

Notes

Hi lovely readers. I hope you liked this instalment. Everything is now set up but how is it going to go down? Maybe next chapter?

Thanks, as ever, for reading and if you feel so inclined, please leave a comment, it will be very appreciated.

Sas xx