The mysterious man led them to a secluded suite.
"Get showered and changed," Camilla ordered.
"I expect you out here in the next fifteen minutes. I'm going to make stars out of you."
Her gaze lingered on him for a few moments, her lips curling into a strange smile.
Suddenly a small shiver ran down his spine.
Letting out a sigh, Zack spared the lavish lodgings a glance.
He stepped into the shower, allowing the cold water to wash away the dirt, blood, and small bits of flesh on his body.
It was quite ironic. He'd once dreamed of a life like this but now that he finally had a chance at it, it was at the threat of his own death. Betrayed by the men he once trusted.
His allies were dead, and the ones still living were probably scattered.
His small ragtag gang probably wouldn't survive the fallout with Crimson.
His pale reflection stared back at him in the mirrored sides of the luxurious cubicle.
Several scars marred his body. The scars on their own told the story of his life.
Eventually, he stepped out, drying himself with a pristine thick towel that screamed luxury.
A dark jumpsuit lay draped over the massive bed, accompanied by an identical pair of sleek sneakers.
He slowly donned the clothes, then made his way outside.
Eddie was already waiting next to the armed escort and Camilla herself was nowhere in sight.
"Let's go. They're waiting for you."
Zack quietly fell into step behind the escort which followed them through the massive lobby.
The muscular man in front of them stopped then turned around.
"Remember, everything you do from now on will influence whether you live or die. When you step out there, ignore the paparazzi and make your way to the check-in point. "
Zack stared at him impassively throwing a furtive glance at Eddie.
A small smile was etched on the older man's face.
"Sure thing," Eddie grinned.
Zack stared straight ahead.
"Interesting..."
With the end of the first auditions, the second auditions for the Broadcast had gained massive traction.
Because of the massive boost in popularity, nearly all the media outlets within the Dominion were covering the event.
The moment Zack and Eddie stepped out of the massive doors, they were greeted by a sea of flashing lights.
Fortunately, they weren't the centre of attention.
Instead, a striking young woman stood, offering the camera a dazzling smile.
"Hello, Raven, look this way. "
She turned, smiling tantalizingly at the camera.
"Why did you decide to take part in the Broadcast this year?"
Raven offered the camera a sultry smile.
"Why of course, what better way to show one's love for our beloved nation than by taking part in the country's foremost event.
I believe it is every one of my fellow countrymen's dreams to one day take part."
Several camera shutters clicked at the same time taking multiple shots of the posing woman.
"Are you sure you'll make it out back alive?"
Raven laughed politely.
"Of course, I'm sure. With your support, and the support of you folks at home.
"Are you sure this is the right decision? You'd recently won the revered Blitz award. One could argue that there's still more you can offer in the film industry. "
Raven laughed once more, flashing her dazzlingly blinding smile for the cameras.
"I believe others deserve to get the same chance that I got..."
Zack stared at her for a few seconds then silently made his way to the terminal.
He stopped observing the three different platforms.
Eddie stepped in line for the red terminal behind him.
Already several people stood in lines marked by glowing floor strips.
The terminal glowed clearly indicating where each of them was meant to stand.
Red for violent offenders.
Yellow for debtors.
Blue for political.
And now, a fresh platform had been erected.
One dedicated to the volunteers.
Courtesy of Raven Kravecci.
Zack had seen her on screen a few times in the Outer Rim.
That was just how famous she was.
Even Outer Rim rats like him had seen her on screen.
And now here she was.
Willingly throwing away her life and for what?
Fame? Glory?
Zack stared straight ahead, his eyes deadpan on the upcoming terminal.
"It just doesn't make sense."
He couldn't understand why someone with her talent, wealth, and beauty would literally commit suicide.
A small robot whirred stopping at his side.
"Stretch out your hand."
The robot mechanically gripped his gand attaching a sleek black biometric cuff to his wrist.
The cuff latched into place with a small click, beeping red then green.
[CONTESTANT DESIGNATION: PENDING]
"Step forward," the mechanical voice said.
"Crime classification"
Zack fought the urge to roll his eyes staring impassively ahead.
"Larceny."
The technician spared him an amused glance, before turning to the screen in front of her.
"And what is your sentence?"
Zack let out a sigh.
"Redemption..." he murmured, staring at the ground.
He raised his eyes, his face piercing through her.
"Public Redemption. "
The technician frowned slightly.
Behind him, Eddie chuckled nervously.
Zack betrayed no emotion.
"What was that about?"
He'd done everything perfectly. Followed Camilla's instructions to the dot.
And yet here couldn't shake the nagging uncomfortable yet familiar feeling that something was unmistakably off.
The terminal in front of him chimed.
[ORIGIN CLASS: CLASSIFIED]
[THREAT INDEX: INITIALIZING]
"Any personal effects?"
Zack calmly shook his head.
The biometric band and the terminal pulsed in sync, rapidly changing colour for a few moments before displaying some information.
[AUDIENCE METRIC: DORMANT]
[ESTIMATED THREAT INDEX: TIER II]
[AUDIENCE METRIC: AWAKENING...]
"The Enforcers on your right will guide you to the Prometheus Gates. Next."
Zack quietly observed the white-clad figures that were armed to the teeth with several small modules fitted to their armored outfits. From up close the deadly custom rifles that fired the cryogenic and electric rounds looked quite imposing.
"This way..."
Zack briskly followed the armoured Enforcers going through a series of corridors until eventually they arrived at a massive set of gates.
The entire thing resembled something straight out of a dream. For a few moments, Zack struggled to contain his wildly beating heart.
"Survive. All I have to do now is survive."