"Ah, that's the cue for me to make a dashing and impressive entrance kids," Artie said, brushing down his bio-suit and running his thumb and forefinger along his moustache before he strode over to them. They swarmed around him with a little too much admiration and started competing for his attention.
Artie was in his element and we moved over to join the edges of the group, waiting for everyone to settle down.
"We're getting put into research pairs so that's you and me," Taylor said, taking my hand as Artie started splitting everyone else into pairs.
"Is that up to you?" I asked suspiciously.
"Didn't you see who our group leader is?" He gave me his most sincere look. "Dr Jackson at your service." He bowed his head in mock introduction.
"Junior. And you aren't a doctor, either." I nudged him with my elbow.
"Ah, the insignificant details that ruin my greatest plans," he sighed.
"And save the rest of us from near certain destruction." I reclaimed my hand and tried to ignore the irritation that flashed across his features.
"Maya Summers you're with Taylor Jackson." Artie's voice floated over to us and Taylor smiled broadly.
"Group twelve, Dr Jackson?" The frazzled woman was standing by the entrance to the cable car room, ushering us towards her.
The group surged forward and we moved through a large doorway into a holding area with a sealed door on the far side of the room. Benches lined the walls and everyone took a seat. Taylor and I entered last, so I got stuck sitting next to Daniel. He wrinkled his nose and leaned away from me.
The woman handed out the boots and head gear which completed our suits.
The helmet was entirely closed in with a ventilator at the front to filter the contaminants out of the air. A visor cut my peripheral vision in half and directed my sight ahead. It all clipped securely to the suit and effectively blocked out the world. It was kind of claustrophobic if I spent too much time thinking about it.
Frazzle wasn't wearing a suit so I presumed she wouldn't be joining us outside. She moved back to the door we had just entered through and closed the vacuum seal behind us. The air in the room constricted around us and my ears popped. My heart started to beat a little faster.
"Do these helmets filter out Dweller stink?" Daniel whispered loudly enough for the whole room to hear as he shuffled away from me.
The girl sitting next to him giggled appreciatively.
"You wanna watch your mouth if you don't want to end up staying behind," Taylor said without bothering to drop his voice.
"Thats not up to you." Daniel curled his lip.
"It is up to me though." Artie moved to stand in the centre of the room with his arms folded and Daniel dropped his gaze.
"It was just a joke," he muttered.
"Daniel, you're eighteen next week right? It must be so exciting for you," I said sweetly.
"Why?" He narrowed his eyes at me.
"You'll finally be old enough to visit the Body Perfect building. I know they don't work miracles, but there must be something they can do for your face."
Daniel opened his mouth to reply but Artie chose that moment for a not-so-subtle throat clearance and he dropped it.
I stood and flashed Artie a smile which he attempted not to return. I wandered over to stand by the outer door, readying myself for my first ever sight of the world beyond The Wall.
The door itself was a circular piece of steel that blocked a hole in the side of The Wall. It was around two meters wide, perfectly smooth and was operated by a keypad and retinal scanner.
I reached out and placed a hand on the smooth, sandy stone of The Wall.
It was cold, even through the material of my glove. I ran my fingertips along its surface. I had never been so close to The Wall before. It was hard to take in.
"So what are you peeing yourself with? Fear or excitement?" Taylor asked as he joined me.
"Ah, I didn't actually think about a bathroom break, maybe that would have been a good idea," I smirked.